CEO Selected for Alaska Communications

Alaska Communications is getting a new leader. The telecom’s board of directors named Matthew McConnell as its new President and CEO. To take the position, McConnell is moving to Anchorage from Boulder, Colorado with his wife.

McConnell’s leadership roles include serving as CEO of tech company MediaKind, COO and board advisor at self-service commerce provider Cantaloupe, senior vice president and general manager at Comcast NBCUniversal, president and CEO of Troppus Software Corporation, and senior vice president at Level 3 Communications.

“Matt knows how to build and operate strong performing technology organizations with a focus on customer experience, employee engagement, and community commitment,” says Alaska Communications board chair Michael Prior. “The board is confident that Matt’s extensive experience and leadership style will serve our customers, community, and partners well into the future.”

McConnell also teaches graduate-level courses in leadership, ethics, and strategy at the University of Denver, and he serves on the board of Junior Achievement – Rocky Mountain.

“This is an exciting time for Alaska Communications,” McConnell says. “The demand for broadband and managed IT services continues to grow. Broadband grants are now available to bridge the digital divide. Alaska is a critical location for our country’s resource development, military defense, Arctic research, and global logistics—all industries that rely on broadband.”

Alaska Communications was formerly the city-owned Anchorage Telephone Utility until it was sold in 1999. The company is now a subsidiary of Massachusetts-based telecom ATN International. McConnell replaces Bill Bishop, who died in June due to illness.