T-Mobile is currently working through regulatory review and all of the other steps necessary to try and get its merger with Sprint completed, and today T-Mo revealed that it’s brought someone on to help with the effort.

Sunit Patel is joining T-Mobile. Starting October 1st, he’ll be T-Mo’s Executive Vice President, Merger and Integration Lead. His job will include leading T-Mobile’s strategic planning efforts as it works to integrate its business with Sprint’s and the two companies work to get their merger approved. Patel will report to T-Mobile President and COO Mike Sievert.

Here’s what T-Mobile CEO John Legere had to say about Patel:

“I’ve known Sunit for many years and he’s going to be a fantastic addition to this talented management team. He is smart, savvy, full of big ideas and ready to hit the ground running. I am confident he’ll fit right in here at the Un-carrier. I look forward to seeing you in magenta, Sunit!”

And here’s Sievert’s statement regarding Patel’s hiring:

“We are increasingly optimistic about the path we’re on to create the New T-Mobile and are now looking forward to bringing someone with Sunit’s experience to our team to lead us through the strategic planning for integration of our businesses — one of the most exciting and integral aspects of this merger. Sunit has the depth of knowledge needed to create and drive forward a highly complex, strategic initiative of this magnitude. He will have a tremendous impact on shaping the New T-Mobile, and will add even more value to the company for many years to come.”

Patel has some experience with mergers, as he worked at Level 3 Communications for more than 14 years before it merged with CenturyLink in 2017. He then spent some time as CenturyLink’s Executive Vice President and CFO before joining up with T-Mobile. T-Mo believes that the addition of Patel to its team will “substantially increase” the likelihood that its merger with Sprint is completed.

T-Mobile and Sprint announced their plans to merge earlier this year, and the deal is currently being reviewed by the FCC and DoJ. T-Mo and Sprint expect their merger to close in the first half of 2019.

Source: T-Mobile