US data center provider ViaWest, a major player in the nation’s so-called second-tier markets, has appointed Nancy Phillips, one of its co-founders, as the company’s new CEO.

Phillips has until now served as COO. The company framed the transition as a “natural progression” in its “growth trajectory and continued momentum”.

Roy Dimoff, the outgoing CEO, will continue as chairman of the board, a role he has been holding prior to giving up his chief-executive post. Dimoff is also one of the firm’s co-founders.

“After almost fourteen years as ViaWest's chief executive officer, I have decided it is the right time to transition full executive responsibility to my long-time business partner and co-founder, Nancy Phillips,” Dimoff said.

“Nancy is the best person to build on ViaWest's strong foundation, and I have the utmost confidence that the company will continue to thrive under her executive leadership.”

Phillips said the company had come a long way since its founding in 1999. It has the right strategy, market momentum, high-caliber employees, leadership and industry reputation, she said.

ViaWest is owned by Oak Hill Capital Partners and GI Partners, private equity firms that bought it in 2010. It owns and operates 24 data centers in Colorado, Texas, Oregon, Utah and Nevada.