The leadership change comes as Bluepeak builds on hundreds of millions of dollars in network investment since 2021 and pursues further fiber expansion.
Ken Johnson, former chief operating officer of Cable One, Inc. (NYSE: CABO), becomes CEO of fiber internet provider Bluepeak on Oct. 19. The company announced the appointment Sept. 8.
Johnson succeeds Rich Fish, who is retiring after six years as chief executive and will transition to an advisory role. Bluepeak has not disclosed the duration of that role. Mark Prybutok, managing director and head of data infrastructure at GI Partners, said Johnson has operational expertise and a record of expanding broadband businesses.
Johnson joined Cable One via NewWave acquisition
Johnson has more than 30 years of telecommunications and broadband experience, Bluepeak said. He joined Cable One in 2018 following its acquisition of NewWave Communications, where he served as chief operating officer and chief technology officer.
At Cable One, Johnson oversaw residential and business services, technology services, field and call center operations, and digital integration. The company serves more than 1 million customers in 24 states. Johnson previously held chief technology officer roles at SureWest Communications and Everest Broadband.
Cable One outlines leadership transition
In an April 2 filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the company said Johnson would step down as chief operating officer May 1 and was expected to remain a senior advisor until January 2027. The filing said his departure from the COO role was not the result of a disagreement over operations, policies, practices or financial matters.
Cable One named Heather McCallion chief operating officer Aug. 14, with an expected start date of Aug. 24.
Fish leaves after six-state expansion
GI Partners acquired Bluepeak in early 2021, and Fish has led the company since. Bluepeak operates in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, Oklahoma and Texas. It offers residential speeds up to 5 gigabits per second and business speeds of 10 gigabits per second and higher.
Fish said Bluepeak expanded into 28 new markets during his tenure and has passed more than 515,000 homes, a measure of locations its network can reach. In a July 1 release, the company said it has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in the network since 2021.
Johnson said he plans to complete fiber construction in Bluepeak’s existing communities and continue expanding service access.
