WideOpenWest (WOW!) Announces Additional Executive Appointments to Lead Growth and Transformation Strategy

Rhea-AI Summary

WideOpenWest (NASDAQ: WOW) announced additional senior executive appointments effective Jan 7, 2026 following completion of its take-private acquisition by affiliated funds of DigitalBridge (NYSE: DBRG) and Crestview. The company named Frank van der Post as CEO and appointed new leaders for finance, technology, commercial, customer experience, legal and HR, among others.

DigitalBridge and Crestview closed the transaction on Dec 31, 2025 and said they plan to invest in network expansion, technology upgrades and resources to improve service and customer experience.

Positive

• Take-private closed on Dec 31, 2025
• Frank van der Post appointed CEO effective Jan 7, 2026
• Investors plan network expansion and technology upgrades

Negative

• Broad leadership changes effective immediately may affect continuity

News Market Reaction

+0.20%

1 alert

+0.20% News Effect

On the day this news was published, DBRG gained 0.20%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Market Reality Check

Price: $15.33 Vol: Volume 573,125 is in line...

normal vol

$15.33 Last Close

Volume Volume 573,125 is in line with 20-day average 567,826 (relative 1.01x). normal

Technical Trading above 200-day MA, with price 5.20 vs 200-day MA 4.66.

Peers on Argus

WOW remained flat at $5.20 while peers like CABO, SHEN and ATUS showed gains bet...

WOW remained flat at $5.20 while peers like CABO, SHEN and ATUS showed gains between 0.53% and 4.55%, indicating today’s stability is company-specific and likely tied to its completed take-private and leadership transition.

Common Catalyst Both WOW and peer ATEX reported executive appointments, suggesting some leadership reshuffling across parts of the telecom/digital infrastructure space.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Dec 05 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 05	Recognition news	Positive	+0.2%	Executives honored on Cablefax list and all-fiber milestone update.
Nov 05	Earnings release	Negative	+0.2%	Q3 results with revenue decline, net loss, and subscriber erosion.
Nov 04	Earnings preview	Neutral	+0.2%	Announcement of timing and access details for Q3 2025 call.
Sep 11	Community initiative	Positive	+0.0%	Education-focused community programs and supply drive with local team.
Sep 04	Network expansion	Positive	+0.0%	Milestone of 100,000 fiber homes passed in Greenfield markets.

Pattern Detected

News and community/operational milestones have historically produced only small price moves, while negative earnings (revenue and subscriber declines) also saw limited upside reaction, indicating muted trading responses to both positive and negative catalysts.

Recent Company History

Over the last six months, WOW highlighted fiber build-out progress and community engagement while moving toward a take-private deal. In September 2025, it reached 100,000 fiber homes passed in Greenfield markets and continued its education-focused partnerships. By November 5, 2025, Q3 results showed revenue and EBITDA declines, a net loss, and subscriber erosion, alongside disclosure of a planned $5.20-per-share go-private transaction. The current announcement of a new leadership team under a private ownership structure follows this strategic shift from public growth story to sponsor-led transformation.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement details a comprehensive rebuild of WOW’s senior leadership after its take-private ...

Analysis

This announcement details a comprehensive rebuild of WOW’s senior leadership after its take-private transaction at $5.20 per share, placing experienced executives over finance, technology, commercial, and customer experience functions. Recent history shows a mix of fiber build-out milestones, community initiatives, and weaker Q3 2025 financial trends. Investors may focus on how the new team executes on network upgrades, customer experience improvements, and growth initiatives under private ownership to address those prior operating challenges.

Key Terms

take-private acquisition, digital infrastructure, fiber-broadband internet, artificial intelligence

4 terms

take-private acquisition financial

"following the completion of its take-private acquisition by affiliated investment"

A take-private acquisition is when one party buys all the outstanding shares of a publicly traded company so it becomes privately owned and its stock is removed from public exchanges. For investors, it usually means shareholders receive cash or a buyout price (often at a premium) and lose ongoing ability to trade the shares; for remaining stakeholders it can change transparency, reporting and control—like a neighborhood business being bought and run behind closed doors.

digital infrastructure technical

"alternative asset manager dedicated to investing in digital infrastructure, and"

Digital infrastructure consists of the underlying technology systems that enable the storage, transmission, and processing of digital information, such as internet networks, data centers, and cloud services. It functions like the roads and utilities that keep a city running, allowing digital activities to happen smoothly and reliably. For investors, strong digital infrastructure is essential because it supports the growth of digital services and can influence the stability and efficiency of the broader economy.

fiber-broadband internet technical

"a leading provider of fiber-broadband internet services and advanced connectivity"

Fiber-broadband internet is a high-speed connection delivered through thin glass or plastic fibers that carry data as pulses of light, offering much faster and more reliable service than older copper or wireless links. For investors it matters because fiber is a long-lived infrastructure upgrade that can drive steady subscription revenue, justify higher prices, reduce connection problems, and shape competition and capital spending in telecom and utility markets—think of it like replacing a dirt road with a multi-lane highway for data.

artificial intelligence technical

"Software Development, Data, Artificial Intelligence, and Field Engineering teams."

Artificial intelligence is the ability of computers and machines to perform tasks that typically require human thinking, such as understanding language, recognizing patterns, or making decisions. For investors, it matters because AI can enhance efficiency, uncover new insights, and enable smarter strategies, potentially impacting the value and performance of companies that develop or utilize this technology.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Jan. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- WideOpenWest (WOW!), a leading provider of fiber-broadband internet services and advanced connectivity solutions, today announced additional appointments to its senior leadership team following the completion of its take-private acquisition by affiliated investment funds of DigitalBridge Group, Inc. (NYSE: DBRG), a leading global alternative asset manager dedicated to investing in digital infrastructure, and Crestview Partners, a leading private equity firm. All of the executives report to newly appointed Chief Executive Officer Frank van der Post.

"This new team will help us thrive as we work together to transform the company, enhance the customer experience and accelerate our growth," said Mr. van der Post. "As we embark on this new path, I'd like to thank departing leaders for their service to WOW! and for working with us to ensure a smooth transition for our colleagues and our customers."

The executive appointments, which are effective immediately, involve finance, sales and marketing, customer experience, legal, human resources, IT/engineering and other key functional areas of the business:

• Patrick Bratton, Chief Financial Officer: Mr. Bratton will oversee the Finance, Accounting and Tax teams, as well as Financial Planning, Analysis, Business Partnership and Procurement. Pat previously served for over 20 years as Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President at Breezeline, a fiber internet, TV, voice and mobile provider. Before joining Breezeline, he served as Chief Financial Officer at both Quorum Broadcast Holdings and Sullivan Broadcast Holdings. Pat began his career at Price Waterhouse in Boston.
• Aaron Brace, Chief Technology and Information Officer: Mr. Brace will lead Network and IT Infrastructure and Security, Software Development, Data, Artificial Intelligence, and Field Engineering teams. Aaron has designed, installed, and supported systems and network architectures for over 20 years, most recently as Vice President of Information Technology for Cogeco Communications. Before that, he served as the Vice President of Engineering at both Breezeline and Harron Communications, overseeing IT, security, and data centers, as well as network deployment and operations.
• Courtland Madock, Chief Commercial Officer: Ms. Madock will lead all Brand, Marketing, Digital Channel and Sales functions. Courtland has extensive experience in telecom marketing, most recently working at Brightspeed, where she held positions including President of the Consumer Group, Executive Vice President, and Chief Marketing Officer. Previously, Courtland served as Vice President of Marketing for U.S. Cellular, holding leadership roles that oversaw acquisition, pricing, retention, lifecycle management, and business strategy.
• Heather McCallion, Chief Experience Officer: Ms. McCallion will lead customer experience, product management, market expansion and business transformation initiatives. Heather served most recently as Vice President of New Business and Business Transformation at Breezeline, where she excelled in pursuing continuous improvement, process efficiencies, and project management. At Breezeline, Heather built new revenue streams and business opportunities, including the launch of a mobile phone service.
• Roger Seiken, Senior Vice President and General Counsel: Mr. Seiken, continuing in his current role at WOW!, will oversee all legal, regulatory and government affairs efforts. Roger has provided legal services and strategic counsel to business clients and the telecommunications industry for over 20 years and has extensive experience in negotiating and closing complex business transactions. Before joining WOW! in 2017, he served as Associate General Counsel of Legal Affairs at Verizon Communications, Inc.
• Kristine DiFiore, Senior Vice President, Human Resources: Ms. DiFiore will lead all Human Resources functions, including HR Operations, Talent Management, Compensation & Total Rewards and Organizational Effectiveness. Kristine has extensive experience leading change and positioning organizations for growth. Kristine previously served as Vice President of Human Resources for Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, N.H., and as Chief Human Resources Officer for Care Dimensions in Danvers, Mass. She also served as Vice President of Human Resources for Home Health Foundation in Lawrence, Mass.

DigitalBridge Group, Inc. ("DigitalBridge" or the "Company") (NYSE: DBRG), a leading global alternative asset manager dedicated to investing in digital infrastructure, and Crestview Partners ("Crestview") announced on December 31, 2025 that it had closed on its previously announced transaction with WOW! and yesterday appointed Mr. van der Post as Chief Executive Officer. Mr. van der Post previously led Cogeco's U.S. fiber-broadband business as President of Breezeline.

DigitalBridge and Crestview plan to invest in expanding and upgrading WOW!'s networks, adopting new technologies, and ensuring that the organization has the necessary resources and support to continue delivering fast, reliable internet service and a high-quality customer experience at competitive prices.

About WOW!

WOW! is one of the nation's leading broadband providers, with an efficient and high-performing network that passes nearly 2 million residential, business and wholesale consumers. WOW! provides services in 20 markets, primarily in the Midwest and Southeast, including Michigan, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, including the new all-fiber networks in Central Florida, Hernando County, Florida, Greenville County, South Carolina and Livingston County, Michigan. With an expansive portfolio of advanced services, including high-speed Internet services, TV, home phone, mobile phone, business data, voice, and cloud services, the company is dedicated to providing outstanding service at affordable prices. WOW! also serves as a leader in exceptional human resources practices, having been recognized 12 times by the National Association for Business Resources as a Best & Brightest Company to Work For in the Nation, winning the award for the last eight consecutive years and making the 2024 Top 101 National Winners list. Visit wowway.com for more information.

About DigitalBridge

DigitalBridge (NYSE: DBRG) is a leading global alternative asset manager dedicated to investing in digital infrastructure. With a heritage of 30 years investing in and operating businesses across the digital ecosystem, including cell towers, data centers, fiber, small cells, and edge infrastructure, the DigitalBridge team manages $108 billion of infrastructure assets on behalf of its limited partners and shareholders. For more information, visit: www.digitalbridge.com.

About Crestview

Founded in 2004, Crestview is a New York-based private equity firm focused on the middle market. The firm manages funds with over $10 billion of aggregate capital commitments and is led by a group of partners who have complementary experience and backgrounds in private equity, finance, operations and management. Crestview has senior investment professionals focused on sourcing and managing investments in each of the firm's specialty areas: media, industrials, and financial services. For more information, please visit www.crestview.com.

Media Contacts

WOW!
Debra Havins
(720) 527-8214
Debra.havins@wowinc.com

DigitalBridge
Jonathan Keehner/Sarah Salky
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
(212) 355-4449
dbrg-jf@joelefrank.com 

Crestview
Jeffrey Taufield or Daniel Yunger
Kekst CNC
(212) 521-4800
jeffrey.taufield@kekstcnc.com or daniel.yunger@kekstcnc.com 

Andrew Walton
(610) 585-2123
awalton@dbwireholdings.com

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SOURCE WideOpenWest, Inc.

FAQ

What executive changes did WideOpenWest (WOW) announce on January 7, 2026?

WOW announced multiple senior appointments, including Frank van der Post as CEO and new heads of finance, technology, commercial, customer experience, legal and HR.

When did the DigitalBridge/Crestview take-private of WOW close?

The transaction closed on Dec 31, 2025.

How will the DigitalBridge and Crestview ownership affect WOW's network plans?

DigitalBridge and Crestview said they plan to invest in expanding and upgrading WOW's networks and adopt new technologies.

Who is the new CFO of WideOpenWest (WOW) and what is his background?

Patrick Bratton was named CFO; he previously served over 20 years as CFO and SVP at Breezeline and held prior CFO roles in broadcast holdings.

What role will Aaron Brace hold at WOW and what will he oversee?

Aaron Brace is Chief Technology and Information Officer, overseeing network, IT infrastructure, security, software, data, AI and field engineering teams.

Will investors see immediate operational changes after WOW's leadership appointments?

Leadership changes are effective immediately; the company indicated a focus on transformation, customer experience and accelerating growth.