Lumen Appoints Jim Fowler as Chief Technology & Product Officer

Core Insights - Lumen Technologies has appointed Jim Fowler as Executive Vice President and Chief Technology & Product Officer, effective January 5, 2026, succeeding Dave Ward who is leaving for a role at Salesforce [1][2] - Fowler will report to CEO Kate Johnson and will oversee Lumen's global technology and product strategy, focusing on the evolution of the company's network and digital platforms [2][3] - The leadership transition is not expected to alter Lumen's previously communicated technology roadmap or strategic growth priorities, which will be detailed at the Investor Day event on February 25, 2026 [4] Leadership Transition - Dave Ward's leadership has been acknowledged for laying a foundation that will influence Lumen's future trajectory, and he will assist in the transition until January 23, 2026 [3] - Jim Fowler has been a board member since 2023 and has extensive experience in technology leadership, previously serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Nationwide Insurance [3][4] - Fowler's background includes nearly two decades at General Electric, where he held senior technology roles, and he began his career at AT&T [3] Strategic Vision - Fowler expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to strengthen Lumen's position as a trusted network for AI and emphasized the importance of innovation and execution in realizing value [4] - The company aims to leverage its network scale to help clients maximize the potential of AI, focusing on connectivity, data transport, and digital platform capabilities [5]