Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. pulled off a major coup this month when it announced that Pierre Blouin was joining the company as its chief executive. He will serve as CEO of both Manitoba Telecom and MTS Allstream Inc. Blouin will be charged with transforming the telecommunications service provider into a nimble and agile provider – one that can compete more effectively against the likes of Bell Canada and Telus Corp. as well as the emerging but growing systems integrators. He joins the company only days after it announced Transition Phase II, a restructuring that will see MTS Allstream cut about 800 jobs, 80% of which will come from the national division. The reorganization is designed to improve the operational effectiveness and efficiencies for the company. "I look forward to using my two decades of experience in the telecommunications industry to lead the company through its next phase as a national communications provider," Blouin said in a news release.