Lumen Technologies has announced the appointment of Jim Fowler as Executive Vice President and Chief Technology & Product Officer, effective January 5, 2026. Fowler will take over the role from Dave Ward, who is departing to become President and Chief Architect at Salesforce, the world’s leading AI CRM platform. Ward will remain at Lumen through January 23, 2026, to ensure a smooth transition.
In his new role, Fowler will report directly to Lumen CEO Kate Johnson and lead the company’s global technology and product strategy. His responsibilities will include guiding the evolution of Lumen’s network, digital platforms, and overall product portfolio as the company continues its transformation journey.
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Johnson expressed gratitude for Ward’s impact on the company, noting that his visionary leadership established a strong foundation for Lumen’s future. She added that while invention creates value, execution delivers it and emphasized that Fowler is exceptionally equipped to advance Lumen’s progress and help return the company to revenue growth.
Fowler has served on Lumen’s Board of Directors since 2023, where he played a key role in shaping the company’s technology roadmap and transformation strategy. He has stepped down from the Board in conjunction with his appointment. Fowler joins Lumen from Nationwide Insurance, where he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, leading modernization efforts, scaling intelligent automation, and driving enterprise-wide digital transformation. His earlier career includes nearly 20 years at General Electric in senior technology leadership positions, including Global CIO, where he oversaw GE’s internal digital transformation. He also held roles at AT&T and Accenture early in his career.
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Fowler said he is energized by Lumen’s potential to strengthen its position as the trusted network for AI. He noted that his experience as both a board member and a customer has given him confidence in the company’s next-generation network and product roadmap. He looks forward to partnering closely with Lumen’s engineers and product teams to accelerate innovation and deliver meaningful results for customers and shareholders.
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Lumen confirmed that this leadership transition will not impact its previously communicated technology roadmap or strategic growth priorities. These priorities will be further detailed during the company’s Investor Day event in New York on February 25, 2026.
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