Sonus lands Motorola’s chief strategist

Take one name off the list of possible executives that would run Motorola’s (MOT) mobile phone spin off: Former strategy chief Rich Nottenburg.

Nottenburg, who left Motorola Friday, has taken the top job at Sonus Networks (SONS), a leading supplier of voice-over-the-Net phone switches. Nottenburg replaces Hassan Ahmed who will remain as Sonus’ chairman.

“Rich’s strong focus on customers along with his strategic sense and business acumen make him the right leader to profitably grow Sonus into the next decade,” Ahmed said in a press release Tuesday. 

Nottenburg was appointed head of strategy at Motorola by Ed Zander in 2004. Shortly after, Motorola rode to success on the popularity of its Razr phone. Strategically, the company made a few big acquisitions including Good Technology, a mobile e-mail service to rival Research in Motion’s (RIMM) BlackBerry and the purchase of barcode specialist Symbol Technologies.

Motorola hit the skids when the Razr fell out of fashion. Activist investors including Carl Icahn forced Motorola’s board to remove Zander and split up the company. After searching for buyers, Motorola’s new CEO Greg Brown started preparations to spin off the money-losing phone business to shareholders as a separate company sometime next year.

The company is currently in the hunt for a new chief to head the phone unit.