Lumen Technologies (LUMN) taps James Fowler as new tech chief after Ward exit

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Lumen Technologies, Inc. reported that David Ward, its Executive Vice President, Chief Technology and Product Officer, resigned to become President and Chief Architect at Salesforce, Inc. He will step down from his executive role on January 5, 2026 and continue as an employee to support transition activities through January 23, 2026.

On December 3, 2025, Lumen’s Board appointed director James Fowler to succeed Mr. Ward as Executive Vice President, Chief Technology and Product Officer, effective January 5, 2026. In connection with this management change, Mr. Fowler resigned from the Board on December 5, 2025 and will serve as an advisor to the company until his employment start date.

Mr. Fowler, age 54, brings senior technology leadership experience, having served as Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company since 2018 and previously holding group and business unit CIO roles at General Electric.

Insights

Corporate governance and leadership transition analyst

Lumen announces CTO departure to Salesforce and appoints an experienced internal director as successor.

Lumen Technologies disclosed that David Ward will leave his role as Executive Vice President, Chief Technology and Product Officer to join Salesforce, Inc. as President and Chief Architect. His transition is structured, with his executive responsibilities ending on January 5, 2026 and continued employment support through January 23, 2026, which can help maintain continuity during the handover.

The Board moved quickly by appointing director James Fowler as the new Executive Vice President, Chief Technology and Product Officer, effective January 5, 2026. Fowler’s resignation from the Board on December 5, 2025 aligns with standard governance practice when a director becomes an executive officer.

Fowler’s background as Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Nationwide since 2018, and prior leadership roles at General Electric and other large enterprises, indicates substantial experience managing complex technology and digital transformation efforts. Subsequent disclosures in company filings may provide more detail on how his responsibilities evolve as he transitions from board advisor to full-time executive.

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 1, 2025

Lumen Technologies, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Louisiana		001-7784		72-0651161
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

100 CenturyLink Drive Monroe, Louisiana		71203
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

(318) 388-9000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Level 3 Parent, LLC

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware		001-35134		47-0210602
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

931 14th Street Denver, Colorado		80202
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

(720) 888-1000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Qwest Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Colorado		001-03040		84-0273800
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

931 14th Street Denver, Colorado		80202
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

(318) 388-9000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligations of any registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Registrant		Title of Each Class		Trading Symbol		Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Lumen Technologies, Inc.		Common Stock, $1.00 par value per share		LUMN		New York Stock Exchange
Lumen Technologies, Inc.		Preferred Stock Purchase Rights		N/A		New York Stock Exchange
Qwest Corporation		6.5% Notes Due 2056		CTBB		New York Stock Exchange
Qwest Corporation		6.75% Notes Due 2057		CTDD		New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether any registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On December 1, 2025, David Ward, Executive Vice President, Chief Technology and Product Officer of Lumen Technologies, Inc. (the “Company”), resigned from his roles at the Company and its principal subsidiaries to assume the role of President and Chief Architect at Salesforce, Inc. Mr. Ward will cease to serve as Executive Vice President, Chief Technology and Product Officer on January 5, 2026, while continuing to serve as an employee to support his transition through January 23, 2026.

On December 3, 2025, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) appointed James Fowler, a member of the Board, to succeed Mr. Ward as the Company’s Executive Vice President, Chief Technology and Product Officer, effective January 5, 2026. In connection with his appointment as an officer of the Company, on December 4, 2025, Mr. Fowler resigned from the Board, effective December 5, 2025. Mr. Fowler will serve as an advisor to the Company through his employment start date.

Mr. Fowler, age 54, has served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, a large U.S. insurance and financial services organization, since 2018. Prior to such role, he served as Group Chief Information Officer for General Electric (“GE”), a multinational conglomerate, from 2015 to 2018 and in other leadership roles since 2000. During his tenure at GE, he served in business unit CIO roles responsible for digital transformation at GE Capital, GE Power and Water, GE Intelligent Platforms, and GE Aviation. Mr. Fowler began his career at AT&T in 1993 and worked at Accenture before joining General Electric.

1

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Lumen Technologies, Inc., Level 3 Parent, LLC, and Qwest Corporation have duly caused this Current Report on Form 8-K to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned officer hereunto duly authorized.

		LUMEN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Dated: December 5, 2025		By:		/s/ Mark Hacker
				Mark Hacker
				Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer & Public Sector
		LEVEL 3 PARENT, LLC
Dated: December 5, 2025		By:		/s/ Mark Hacker
				Mark Hacker
				Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer & Public Sector
		QWEST CORPORATION
Dated: December 5, 2025		By:		/s/ Mark Hacker
				Mark Hacker
				Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer & Public Sector

2

FAQ

What executive leadership change did Lumen Technologies (LUMN) announce?

Lumen Technologies announced that David Ward, its Executive Vice President, Chief Technology and Product Officer, resigned to become President and Chief Architect at Salesforce, Inc. He will leave his executive role on January 5, 2026 and support the transition as an employee through January 23, 2026.

Who will replace David Ward as Lumen Technologies (LUMN) Chief Technology and Product Officer?

The Board appointed James Fowler, previously a member of the Board, to serve as Lumen’s Executive Vice President, Chief Technology and Product Officer, effective January 5, 2026.

What is James Fowler’s background before joining Lumen Technologies (LUMN) as an executive?

James Fowler, age 54, has been Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company since 2018. Before that, he served as Group Chief Information Officer at General Electric and held various business unit CIO and digital transformation roles at GE Capital, GE Power and Water, GE Intelligent Platforms, and GE Aviation, after earlier roles at AT&T and Accenture.

Did James Fowler remain on the Lumen Technologies (LUMN) Board after his appointment as an executive?

No. In connection with his appointment as an officer, James Fowler resigned from the Board on December 5, 2025. He will serve as an advisor to the company until his employment start date as Executive Vice President, Chief Technology and Product Officer.

Why did David Ward leave Lumen Technologies (LUMN)?

David Ward resigned from his roles at Lumen Technologies and its principal subsidiaries to assume the role of President and Chief Architect at Salesforce, Inc., as disclosed in the report.

Which affiliated registrants were included in this Lumen Technologies (LUMN) report?

The report was signed on behalf of Lumen Technologies, Inc., Level 3 Parent, LLC, and Qwest Corporation, each represented by Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer Mark Hacker.