If you ask Ezee Fiber’s CEO Matt Marino about his leadership style, he likens it to the nature of a football team: “I'm a big believer that the residential fiber business is the ultimate team sport.”
As a 15-plus cable industry veteran, Marino brings plenty of customer service and network knowledge to the table. Before coming to Ezee Fiber in 2023, he held various positions at some of the top cable providers, including Altice USA, Charter Communications, Time Warner Cable, and Insight Communications.
During this podcast, we spoke with Marino about Ezee Fiber’s customer-centric approach and how it is enhancing its network through a series of targeted builds and acquisitions of other regional fiber providers that align with its growth model.
Meet our guest
Matt Marino has served as the CEO of Ezee Fiber since 2023. An accomplished telecommunications industry veteran, Matt spent the prior 15 years in senior operations, sales, marketing and finance roles at Altice USA, Charter Communications, Time Warner Cable, and Insight Communications. Matt holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Washington and Lee University. He is a graduate of the Harvard Business School Cable Executive Management Program, has been recognized by Cablefax on its “100 Top Power Players” list, and has served on the CTAM Board of Directors and the CTAM Educational Foundation Board. Matt volunteers as a mentor for the award-winning Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT) Prime Access Program whose mission is to develop and empower women in media, entertainment, and technology. Matt lives in Houston, Texas, with his wife, son, and daughter.
Key Moments in This Episode
Opening
0:45 CEO role
Marino shares his philosophy that the residential fiber business is the ultimate team sport.
3:28 Ezee Fiber’s 2025 priorities
How Ezee Fiber is executing on a multi-state build and customer growth plan.
5:16 Fiber acquisition strategy
Ezee Fiber’s recent Tachus Fiber deal was a match in terms of fiber and approach.
7:18 Conterra Purchase
How Conterra was a network backbone purchase.
8:30 Future M&A plans
Ezee Fiber will utilize a combination of M&A and organic growth strategies to achieve its goal of becoming one of the largest independent fiber providers.
10:07 Ezee’s market expansion strategy
Outside of its Texas home base, Ezee is expanding into Washington State and New Mexico.
12:29 State of competition
Ezee Fiber mainly competes against cable operators.
13:49 Business services plans
The service provider creates packages for small to medium-sized businesses and enterprises.
15:11 Final thoughts
Matt Marino shares how Ezee is continuing to advance its fiber broadband vision in Houston, New Mexico and Washington.
About the Podcast
In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address the key issues affecting the optical and broadband industry segments. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and click on our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com.
About the Author
Sean Buckley
Sean is responsible for establishing and executing the editorial strategy of Lightwave across its website, email newsletters, events, and other information products.