NetCarrier announced the appointment of Doug Derstine as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective May 18, 2026. The leadership transition marks a new phase for the communications technology company as it accelerates growth, strengthens channel relationships, and advances its AI-enabled communications and automation strategy.
Derstine succeeds Brook Lenfest, who will step away from day-to-day leadership responsibilities while remaining active as Chairman of the Board. The company said the move is designed to support its continued expansion across cloud communications, managed services, AI-powered voice automation, and customer engagement solutions.
Derstine brings more than 25 years of executive leadership experience spanning telecommunications, fiber infrastructure, managed services, cloud communications, and technology-driven businesses. Throughout his career, he has led organizations through growth initiatives, operational scaling, strategic transformations, mergers and acquisitions integration, and organizational development in both private equity-backed and public company environments.
Before joining NetCarrier, Derstine served as Chief Executive Officer and Board Member of WANRack, where he led strategic growth and operational expansion efforts. Earlier in his career, he served as Chief Operating Officer of FirstLight Fiber and held multiple president-level executive leadership roles at Windstream and PAETEC, overseeing large-scale sales, operations, managed services, market development, and wholesale organizations.
The company said it will continue investing in cloud communications, AI-powered voice automation, managed services, and channel growth under Derstine’s leadership as it expands its market presence and deepens its capabilities in AI-enabled communications.
KEY QUOTES:
“NetCarrier and our employees deserve the right full-time leader. My time has been divided among multiple business and philanthropic demands leading to the decision to find a new leader for NetCarrier. I have known Doug Derstine for 25 years. I respect his business acumen and work ethic, and I couldn’t be more confident handing NetCarrier’s reins to him. He has a proven track record of growing companies, and I know he will lead NetCarrier forward with the same drive. I will remain active at NetCarrier as Chairman of the Board.”
Brook Lenfest, Chairman of the Board, NetCarrier
“I’m excited to join NetCarrier at such an important point in the company’s evolution. The business has strong customer relationships, talented people, meaningful technical capabilities, and significant opportunity ahead. I look forward to working alongside Brook, Jerry, and the broader team to continue strengthening operational execution, supporting customers, and building a scalable growth platform across cloud communications, managed services, AI-enabled automation, and customer engagement solutions.”
Doug Derstine, President and Chief Executive Officer, NetCarrier
