Kirkland-based Nextel Partners said yesterday it fired Chief Operating Officer James Ryder effective last Thursday.

Spokeswoman Susan Johnston said the termination was "due to internal company matters" and emphasized that it was not related to Nextel Partner's financials or its pending sale to Sprint Nextel.

In April last year, Ryder, who had been with the company since 2000, was promoted from vice president of sales and marketing to chief operating officer. In his position, Ryder was directed to manage sales, marketing and people development and lead more than 850 employees nationwide.

Nextel Partners resells Nextel-branded services in rural and small-to-midsize markets. The company's sale to Sprint Nextel is pending Federal Communication Commission approval, which is expected by the end of June.