Leading IT services and communications provider EarthLink announced it has been listed at the top of OnBoard’s 2013 ranking of Georgia-based companies. A prestigious Georgia-based organization, OnBoard advocates for more female representation on public corporate boards. At its annual awards dinner, OnBoard recognized EarthLink for naming four women to its board of directors.

OnBoard’s 21st annual study notes the acceleration of female executives being appointed to the boards of public companies and indicates that this year’s result represents an all-time high for the state of Georgia.

“EarthLink fully supports OnBoard’s continued initiative to improve female representation on the boards of Georgia’s public companies and is also committed to expanding the ranks of women executive leaders at every level of our company,” said Stacie Hagen, vice president of customer operations and corporate processes for EarthLink.

EarthLink’s board has proactively continued to evaluate its collective skills and experience against what the company’s new business strategy demands. Resultantly, EarthLink has created new board openings and found the needed skill set in its female candidates.

“(We) are proud to have such a talented group of individuals working together,” said EarthLink Independent Lead Director Susan D. Bowick. “Research shows that when publicly traded companies have three or more female board members, they experience greater financial success. My challenge to other boards that seek more diversity is to at least annually take a clear-eyed look at the current collective skill set, work hard to create new board positions and bring on new abilities as a result. There are many talented, experienced women available in the marketplace today.”

The four women who currently serve on EarthLink’s board of directors are Susan D. Bowick, Marce Fuller, Kathy S. Lane, and Dr. Julie A. Shimer.

For more information about EarthLink, visit www.earthlink.com

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