EarthLink CEO Garry Betty passes away

EarthLink announced CEO Garry Betty passed away due to complications from cancer. He was 49.

Betty, who joined the company in 1996, was an all around good guy--I interviewed him a few times--and I'm sure EarthLink will miss him. Mike Lunsford keeps the interim CEO post he has held since Nov. 27.

Sky Dayton, founder of EarthLink and CEO of Helio, said:

"Garry was an extraordinary business partner and friend, and he will be sorely missed. Garry was at once the general you wanted at your side in battle and the friend you wanted to celebrate with when the war was won."

His tribute blog can be found at http://gbetty.earthlink.net/