Zayo, the leading digital infrastructure network provider, announced a planned CEO transition, appointing former Verizon executive Sowmyanarayan Sampath as Chief Executive Officer, effective September 1, 2026. Sampath will succeed Steve Smith, who will retire as CEO following a tenure that established Zayo as the foundational backbone of the AI economy, and will continue to serve as a member of Zayo’s Board of Directors.
Under Smith’s leadership, Zayo evolved from an acquisition-built network operator into the largest independent digital infrastructure network provider, serving AI companies and enterprises across the U.S. Sampath brings more than two decades of large-scale digital infrastructure experience, most recently serving as CEO of Verizon Consumer, after previously leading Verizon Business and BCG’s global telecom practice for carriers worldwide.
During his tenure, Smith advanced deeper integration, automation, internal AI adoption, network service excellence, and disciplined capital allocation while accelerating Zayo’s network expansion. The company more than tripled its planned fiber expansion, with projects now spanning more than 15,000 route miles, and completed the acquisition of Crown Castle’s Fiber Solutions Business, adding approximately 90,000 route miles and 40,000 on-net enterprise locations.
Smith will remain in his role until August 31, 2026, with Sampath assuming the CEO role on 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.
KEY QUOTES:
“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. Steve has sharpened Zayo’s strategy and positioned the Company 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 ahead. Sampath’s track record of scaling complex networks and driving enterprise revenue makes him the right leader to maximize the potential from Zayo’s market-leading assets.”
Kevin Turner, Chairman, Zayo Board of Directors
“I have tremendous respect for what Steve and the entire Zayo team have built, including its extraordinary physical footprint at the precise moment the global economy demands uncompromised bandwidth.”
“We already connect more data centers in the U.S. than anyone else, and that is increasingly important as AI companies and large enterprises look for the scale, reach, and performance AI-driven infrastructure requires. I look forward to working with this team as we build on Zayo’s momentum, strengthen support for our customers and launch the next era of digital infrastructure growth.”
Sowmyanarayan Sampath, incoming CEO, Zayo
“Leading Zayo has been a privilege, and I’m deeply proud of what our team has built as we prepare the Company for the next generation of digital infrastructure.”
“Sampath is a proven operator with the industry expertise, customer focus and experience leading at scale to build on that success. I am confident he is the right leader for Zayo’s next chapter, and I look forward to supporting him and the entire organization as a member of the Board.”
Steve Smith, outgoing CEO, Zayo
