Broadband and optical movers and shakers: Cable One’s Laulis to step down after 26-year career; Dixon to take the reins of TDS Telecom

Cable One’s Laulis to step down after 26-year tenure
Julia Laulis, Chair of the company’s Board of Directors, President, and CEO, will retire after a  26-year career with the Company and over 40 years in the cable and broadband industry. She will continue in her current roles until the earlier of December 31, 2025, or the appointment of her successor. Following the transition, Laulis will serve as a senior advisor to support a seamless leadership handoff. Since joining the Company in 1999 and becoming CEO in 2017, she has championed innovation, empowering associates and a differentiated level of customer service. Under her leadership, Cable One rebranded as Sparklight, expanded its national footprint through strategic acquisitions, and transitioned to a broadband-first model. The Board is actively working with a leading global executive search firm to identify the company’s next CEO, considering both internal and external candidates. Laulis will remain in an advisory role following the transition to ensure continuity and support the incoming CEO.

Dixon takes the reins of TDS Telecom
Ken Dixon has been named President and Chief Executive Officer of TDS Telecommunications, effective June 9. Dixon succeeds Jim Butman, who will retire and step down on July 1 after more than 40 years of service to TDS, including the last 7 years as the leader of TDS Telecom. Dixon will also serve on the TDS Board of Directors. Dixon brings 33 years of telecommunications experience to TDS Telecom, having spent most of his career in positions of increasing responsibility at Verizon Communications, Inc. Dixon's final position at Verizon was as President of Consumer Markets, where he oversaw the company's $13 billion consumer business and executed its fiber network transformation strategy. More recently, Dixon was CEO of Tillman FiberCo, a designer of fiber networks. Dixon holds a Bachelor of Science from Syracuse University and served on the Dean's Advisory Board of Syracuse University College of Arts and Sciences.

Fusion Connect names John Nee as its new CMO
Fusion Connect has named John Nee as Chief Marketing Officer. Nee will lead marketing strategy, product marketing, channel marketing and demand generation initiatives at Fusion. He brings over 20 years of experience to Fusion, building brands, increasing awareness, and accelerating growth through sales and marketing alignment. Before joining Fusion Connect, Nee led the marketing teams at communications technology companies such as Segra and Integra Telecom.

Heckler to lead Zayo’s Crown Castle integration
Zayo has named Alan Heckler as Chief Innovation and Integration Officer. With more than 25 years of combined industry and consulting experience, Heckler brings a deep background in digital infrastructure, industrial transformation, and M&A strategy. In this role, Heckler will lead integration efforts, including Zayo’s recent acquisition of Crown Castle’s fiber solutions business, as well as transformation initiatives focused on accelerating long-term growth for Zayo’s business. Before joining Zayo, Heckler was a Senior Partner at Kearney, where he led the Americas Industrial Product Practice and served on the Americas Leadership Team. Under his leadership, the practice doubled in size while becoming one of the firm’s largest and most profitable business units. His work has spanned various industries, including communications, media, technology, aerospace, defense, and infrastructure, with a specialization in large-scale transformation and value creation initiatives.

National OnDemand names Bob Brenner as SVP of strategic partnerships
National OnDemand has brought Bob Brenner on board as Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships. In this role, Brenner will lead the company's strategic growth initiatives and cultivate relationships with key partners across the telecommunications sector. Brenner brings decades of experience in the U.S. telecom industry, with a strong background in last-mile, middle-mile, long-haul fiber, and wireless network development. He also has significant experience with government-funded broadband programs in the education and healthcare sectors. Before joining National OnDemand, Brenner served as Chief Revenue Officer at a broadband construction firm and, before that, as Senior Vice President at a multi-billion-dollar construction firm, where he helped drive growth in the broadband sector across 42 states.

WOW! taps FCC, Cable & Wireless veteran Glenn to lead regulatory department
WOW! has named Audrey Glenn as WOW!'s senior director of legal and regulatory affairs. Glenn joins the legal team at WOW! as the company continues its growth momentum and ongoing expansion into Greenfield and legacy markets. Glenn brings more than 30 years of legal experience to WOW! She most recently served as an attorney, advisor, and consultant for Carousel Consulting, where she advised global clients on telecommunications law, data privacy, and contractual strategy. Before that role, she held positions at Cable & Wireless USA, the Federal Communications Commission and the US House of Representatives.