New CEO at Alaska Communications: A Fresh Vision for the Final Frontier

ANCHORAGE, AK – June 24, 2026 – In a significant leadership transition for one of the state's most critical infrastructure providers, Alaska Communications today announced the appointment of telecommunications veteran Courtland Madock as its new President and CEO. Effective September 1, 2026, Madock will take the helm from Paul Fenaroli, who is stepping down in August to focus on his family.

The move signals a new chapter for the provider of mission-critical connectivity in the Last Frontier. While leadership changes are a constant in the corporate world, this one carries particular weight. It places a proven growth-oriented executive, with a deep background in fiber expansion and brand transformation, in charge of a network that serves as the digital lifeline for countless Alaskans. For a state defined by its vast geography and remote communities, the strategic direction of Alaska Communications is not just a business matter—it's a fundamental component of social and economic progress.

A New Era of Leadership: The Madock Profile

Courtland Madock is not a newcomer to the complexities of the telecom industry. With over 18 years of experience, her resume reads like a tour of modern American telecommunications, marked by senior roles at major players like WOW!, Brightspeed, and U.S. Cellular. The board's choice reflects a clear strategic bet on her specific skill set.

“Courtland is a proven leader who builds customer-focused organizations and delivers results,” said Naji Kjoury, chair of the Alaska Communications board of directors, in the official announcement. “She brings the experience, leadership, and customer-first mindset needed to help move the company forward.”

Her most recent tenure at Brightspeed is particularly telling. As President of the Consumer Group and later Chief Marketing Officer, Madock was a central figure in launching the brand across a 20-state footprint. Her mission there was explicit: bridge the digital divide in rural and suburban America. She was instrumental in an aggressive fiber build-out that connected over 1.4 million locations, building a sales and marketing organization from scratch in just eight months. This experience of rapidly scaling a fiber-centric business in underserved markets is directly transferable to the challenges and opportunities awaiting her in Alaska.

Colleagues from her past roles describe a leader who combines a data-driven approach with a collaborative spirit. At Brightspeed, she pioneered a “test-and-learn” marketing methodology that modernized customer engagement and drove a nearly 40% quarter-over-quarter growth in sales. This focus on marrying analytics with customer experience earned her recognition as a 2025 Chicago Titan 100 for exceptional leadership. Before that, as Vice President of Marketing at U.S. Cellular, she was named a 2020 FierceWireless Rising Star, noted for her ability to dissect complex problems and empower her teams.

This background suggests Madock is precisely the type of executive a company like Alaska Communications needs to navigate the next phase of its evolution. She isn't just a manager; she is a builder and a brand strategist, adept at translating infrastructure investment into market share and customer loyalty.

The Strategic Imperative in the Last Frontier

To understand the significance of this appointment, one must appreciate the unique landscape in which Alaska Communications operates. As an affiliate of ATN International (NASDAQ: ATNI), the company is more than a simple internet provider. It operates a vast statewide fiber network and a critical undersea fiber system connecting Alaska to the contiguous U.S. This infrastructure is the backbone for government, healthcare, education, and commerce across the state.

The strategic imperative is twofold: maintaining and hardening this life-critical network while simultaneously pursuing growth in a market defined by extreme logistical hurdles. Expanding high-speed broadband to remote villages is an entirely different proposition than wiring a suburban subdivision. It requires a deep understanding of public-private partnerships, federal funding mechanisms, and engineering solutions tailored to a harsh environment.

Madock’s appointment seems tailor-made for this context. Her success in expanding fiber networks for Brightspeed demonstrates a capability to execute large-scale infrastructure projects. Her focus on customer-centricity and data analytics will be vital in a market where reliability is paramount and consumer trust is hard-won. As she stated upon her appointment, “I look forward to listening, learning, and working together to continue delivering reliable connectivity for Alaskans.” This initial message of humility and collaboration will be key to building relationships with local communities and stakeholders.

Navigating the Transition and Market Realities

The transition comes as outgoing CEO Paul Fenaroli steps down for personal reasons. The board's statement expressed gratitude for his “significant contributions he made strengthening connectivity across Alaska during his tenure” and wished him and his family well during a “difficult time.” Fenaroli will remain with the company through a transition period to ensure a smooth handover, a standard practice that underscores the board's desire for stability.

Madock inherits a company with a strong foundation but one that operates within the broader financial ecosystem of its parent, ATN International. ATNI presents a complex picture for investors and for the new CEO. On one hand, the stock has delivered an impressive 72% return over the past year and has a remarkable 29-year history of maintaining dividend payments—a sign of stable, long-term value. On the other hand, the most recent financial report for Q1 2026 showed an earnings miss, with revenue and earnings per share falling below analyst expectations.

This financial backdrop creates both opportunity and pressure. ATNI recently completed a major sale of its U.S. tower portfolio, generating hundreds of millions in cash. This move could signal a strategic capital reallocation toward core growth areas, such as the fiber-optic opportunities in Alaska. Madock will likely be expected to deploy this capital effectively, turning investment into measurable growth and improved profitability. Her challenge will be to balance the long-term, capital-intensive work of network expansion with the market's immediate expectations for financial performance.

Ultimately, Madock's arrival at Alaska Communications is a pivotal moment. She brings a modern, growth-oriented playbook to an established company with a critical public mission. Her ability to execute on her vision will not only determine the future of the company but will also have a profound impact on the digital fabric of Alaska itself.