McConnell Named President and CEO of Alaska Communications

ANCHORAGE, Alaska--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Alaska Communications board of directors has named Matthew (Matt) McConnell president and chief executive officer. McConnell is an accomplished CEO, COO, entrepreneur, community leader, board chairman, independent director and Fortune 50 executive with more than three decades of experience driving profitable growth in technology companies. He brings a unique combination of entrepreneurial and corporate experience to Alaska Communications.

McConnell’s leadership roles include serving as CEO of MediaKind, a best-in-class media technology company; COO and advisor to the board and CEO at Cantaloupe, a global technology leader in self-service commerce; senior vice president and general manager at Comcast NBCUniversal; president and CEO of Troppus Software Corporation, a SaaS start-up providing customer care software services; and senior vice president at Level 3 Communications, a multinational telecommunications provider. In his leadership roles McConnell has built an operationally strong, engaged, global organization of 2,000 employees across 54 countries, outperformed on operating and financial results, established and operated a global division as a B2B provider, launched seven new product lines growing revenue by 700 percent, and provided a greater than four times return on invested capital in only 18 months.

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

“This is an exciting time for Alaska Communications,” McConnell said. “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. I look forward to working together with our customers, employees, elected officials and community members, locking arms, as we take our company forward and provide world-class services to all Alaskans.”

McConnell also currently serves as a board director for Junior Achievement – Rocky Mountain, and as an adjunct professor at the University of Denver where he teaches graduate-level courses in leadership, ethics and strategy. He will join Alaska Communications December 4, 2023. McConnell and his wife look forward to moving from Boulder, Colorado to Anchorage, Alaska.

About Alaska Communications

Alaska Communications, a subsidiary of ATN International, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATNI), is the leading provider of advanced broadband and managed IT services for businesses and consumers in Alaska. The company operates a highly reliable, advanced statewide data network with the latest technology and the most diverse undersea fiber optic system connecting Alaska to the contiguous U.S. For more information, visit www.AlaskaCommunications.com.