Zayo

Sowmyanarayan Sampath Appointed CEO to Lead Company's Next Phase of AI-Driven Growth; Steve Smith to Remain on Board of Directors DENVER, July 14, 2026 --( BUSINESS WIRE )-- Zayo (the "company"), a leading provider of digital infrastructure networks, today announced its planned CEO succession, with the appointment of former Verizon executive, Sowmyanarayan Sampath, as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective September 1, 2026. Sampath will succeed Steve Smith, who will step down as CEO following a transformative tenure that has positioned Zayo as the backbone of the AI economy.

Smith will continue to serve on Zayo's Board of Directors. Under Steve's leadership, Zayo has evolved from an acquisition-built network operator to the largest independent provider of digital infrastructure networks and a connectivity powerhouse serving enterprises and AI companies across the United States. Sampath's appointment ensures long-term leadership and strengthens Zayo's market-leading status. Sampath brings more than two decades of experience in digital infrastructure, including as CEO of Verizon Consumer, after leading Verizon Business and BCG's global telecommunications practice for operators worldwide.

His extensive experience leading multi-billion dollar businesses and wholesale enterprises through transformation and rapid technological change will enable him to accelerate Zayo's commercial execution, meet the demands of AI-driven growth, and satisfy the increasing demand for high-capacity connectivity. “On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Steve for his leadership and the important role he has played in strengthening Zayo’s market position,” said Kevin Turner, Chairman of Zayo’s Board of Directors. “Steve refined Zayo’s strategy and set the company on a path for its next phase of growth.

This planned transition reflects the strength of our business, the depth of our leadership team, and the Board’s confidence in the path forward. ” “I have immense respect for what Steve and the entire Zayo team have built, including its extraordinary physical footprint at the precise moment the global economy demands optimal bandwidth,” said Sampath. “As AI workloads, distributed applications, high-density GPU clusters, and hyperscale environments evolve when capacity reinforcement is needed, and as large enterprises manage increasingly complex connectivity needs, the network is the ultimate constraint, and Zayo is designed to solve that problem.

S. than any other industry player, and such capacity is increasingly important as AI companies and large enterprises seek the scale, reach, and performance that AI-driven infrastructure requires. ” Under Smith’s leadership, Zayo strengthened its position as the network partner of choice for customers with complex, high-capacity connectivity needs. He advanced integration, automation, internal AI adoption, network service excellence, and disciplined capital allocation, while accelerating Zayo’s network expansion. During his tenure, the company more than tripled its fiber network, with projects now extending over 15,000 route miles.

He also finalized the acquisition of Crown Castle’s Fiber Solutions Business, adding approximately 90,000 route miles and 40,000 on-net enterprise locations. As a member of the Board of Directors, Smith will leverage his decades of industry expertise to continue advising the company. “Leading Zayo has been a privilege, and I am deeply proud of what our team has built as we prepare the company for the next generation of digital infrastructure,” said Smith. “I have always encouraged my teams to give their best, and that is exactly what this team has done in making Zayo more resilient and higher performing.

Sampath is a proven operator with the industry expertise, customer focus, and experience needed to build on this success. ” Smith will remain in his role until August 31, 2026. Sampath will assume the CEO position effective September 1, 2026. During the transition period, Smith and Sampath will work closely with Zayo’s Board of Directors and leadership team to ensure continuity for customers and stakeholders.