Shenandoah Telecommunications Appoints Edward H. “Ed” McKay as President & CEO, Christopher E. French Transitions to New Role as Executive Chairman
Rhea-AI Summary
Shenandoah Telecommunications (NASDAQ:SHEN) announced a significant leadership transition, with Edward H. "Ed" McKay appointed as President and CEO, effective September 1, 2025. Current President and CEO Christopher E. French will transition to the role of Executive Chairman of the Board.
McKay, currently serving as Executive Vice President and COO, brings 29 years of telecommunications industry experience, including management positions at UUNET and Verizon before joining Shentel in 2004. In his COO role since July 2021, he has overseen key operations including sales, marketing, engineering, operations, IT, and customer service.
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Insights
Shentel's leadership transition reflects planned succession with internal promotion, ensuring strategic continuity while positioning for fiber growth execution.
Shentel's appointment of Edward McKay as President and CEO represents a carefully orchestrated leadership transition following a five-year succession planning process. As a 21-year company veteran currently serving as COO, McKay brings deep institutional knowledge and telecommunications expertise (29 years industry experience) to the role. This internal promotion signals strategic continuity rather than a shift in corporate direction.
The transition structure is particularly noteworthy, with current CEO Christopher French remaining actively involved as Executive Chairman. This arrangement creates a balanced leadership model that preserves French's strategic influence while empowering McKay's operational expertise. Such executive continuity typically minimizes disruption risks associated with CEO transitions.
McKay's current oversight of critical functions (sales, marketing, engineering, operations, IT, customer service) positions him ideally to execute Shentel's fiber growth strategy without a learning curve. His prior management experience at UUNET and Verizon adds valuable perspective from larger telecommunications organizations.
The September 1 implementation date and unanimous board support indicate a well-coordinated transition with minimal execution risk. McKay's emphasis on continuing the existing fiber growth plans in his statement confirms strategic alignment between incoming and outgoing leadership. For stakeholders, this transition represents evolutionary rather than revolutionary change, with the company explicitly structured to maintain "uninterrupted focus on the execution of our strategic plan."
EDINBURG, Va., July 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Shenandoah Telecommunications Company (“Shentel” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: SHEN) announced today that its Board of Directors has appointed Edward H. “Ed” McKay as President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”). Christopher E. French, Shentel’s current President and CEO, will step into the role of Executive Chairman of the Board and remain active in steering the Company’s strategy while continuing to work closely with the senior leadership team and the Board of Directors. The transition date for both executives is expected to be September 1, 2025.
Mr. McKay is currently the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (“COO”), a role he has held since July 2021. As COO, he oversees sales, marketing, engineering, operations, information technology, and customer service for the entire organization. A 29-year veteran of the telecommunications industry, Mr. McKay joined Shentel in 2004 after having served in management positions at UUNET and Verizon.
“I am pleased our Board of Directors has unanimously supported Ed to be the next President and CEO of Shentel,” said Mr. French. “As our succession planning process developed over the last five years, it became increasingly clear that Ed is the right person to lead Shentel forward. He has the experience and perspective needed to manage our accelerating growth and continue the Company’s long history of innovation and success. These changes will ensure continuity of leadership and strategic direction for our Company and allow our uninterrupted focus on the execution of our strategic plan.”
“I am grateful to the Board of Directors for the opportunity to lead Shentel at this pivotal time and to be able to build on the strong platform for growth we have collectively established under the leadership of Chris and the Board,” said Mr. McKay. “I look forward to continuing my close working relationship with Chris as Executive Chairman and collaborating with the Board. I am excited to continue partnering with the Shentel management team and our dedicated employees to execute on our fiber growth plans and deliver value for our customers and shareholders.”
About Shenandoah Telecommunications
Shenandoah Telecommunications Company provides broadband services through its high speed, state-of-the-art fiber optic and cable networks to residential and commercial customers in eight contiguous states in the eastern United States. The Company’s services include: broadband internet, video, voice, high-speed Ethernet, dark fiber leasing, and managed network services. The Company owns an extensive regional network with over 17,700 route miles of fiber. For more information, please visit www.shentel.com.
CONTACT:
Shenandoah Telecommunications Company
Heather K. Tormey
Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer
540-984-5203
Heather.Tormey@emp.shentel.com
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