The Fiber Utility Network (FUN) CEO position is a leadership role that will have an immense impact on the future of residential, business and Community Anchor Institution broadband access in the State of Alabama. The FUN is seeking an experienced telecommunications leader with entrepreneurial focus who wants to form their own team to lead this effort. The capital funding is in place to build a world-class network. The qualified leader will bring their experience and vision to bear to operate a fiscally sustainable, customer-focused network.
Organization:
The Fiber Utility Network, Inc. (FUN) received a grant from the State of Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) to create a middle mile broadband network that will increase the availability of robust, scalable, and affordable broadband service throughout Alabama. Eight Electric Cooperatives and Alabama Power Company (an Investor Owned Utility) have provided IRU’s of existing fiber cables to the FUN to form a large portion of the network. New fiber optic cable segments will also be constructed. Together with new optical and packet equipment installed in colocation facilities throughout the state, these assets will form a world class statewide network that can offer segmented IP services, optical wavelengths, and other protected services from the FUN points of presence across the state.
FUN is seeking a Chief Executive Officer to oversee the day to day operations of the organization as it moves through the start-up phase and guide it through full provisioning and service operations.
Timeline:
Accepting applications through June 30, 2023
Identification of viable candidates July 2023
Finalist Interviews August 2023
Tentative start date October 2023
Apply:
If interested in this position, please submit your resume/outline of applicable experience and three professional references to: funceo@alfunnetwork.com. A background check will be required before a final offer is made.
Location:
The position of Chief Executive Officer with the Fiber Utilities Network (FUN) is located in the State of Alabama. Relocation to Alabama is required for this position. The FUN services area spans the entire state and the exact work location within the State, as well as remote work/work from home options, are open for discussion.
Work Environment:
The CEO is a unique executive position, with frequent travel in and around the State of Alabama, with travel costs covered by FUN. The CEO reports to the FUN Board of Directors, composed of CEO’s from the FUN Member Electric Cooperatives.
Compensation:
The position of CEO for the FUN of Alabama will offer a competitive salary in the range of $250,000 annually, with health insurance, possible incentive compensation plus other incentives, and relocation costs if applicable.
AAP/EEO Statement: FUN of Alabama is an equal employment opportunity employer.
Vision:
The FUN Board of Directors is seeking an experienced and strong leader. Specifically, a leader who has demonstrated the ability to lead a multi-faceted technology services organization through all phases of development and service delivery.
The leader should possess the ability to provide leadership and management expertise on issues related to:
Oversight and management of the ADECA Middle Mile Grant.
Fiscal status of the FUN including financial goals for controlling expenses and generating revenue.
Progress on construction (new build portions).
Eventual provisioning of FUN services to end customers; and building of a team of staff and contractors necessary to support FUN operations, FUN business development and FUN finances.
Effectively communicate the progress, issues and impediments to progress associated with the construction and operation of the FUN. Communicate those issues with an active Board of Directors.
While the FUN Board will be active in its support of the FUN, the leader should be capable of delivering to the board plans and strategies for their discussion and action. Plans and strategies should be well conceived and vetted through the working groups that have been established to support FUN strategic planning development.
The leader should possess a proven track record and an entrepreneurial bent, want to have a significant, high-profile role in propelling Alabama’s quality of life to an even higher level and will accomplish this while leveraging the FUN to increase educational attainment, access to healthcare and driving economic opportunity for all Alabama citizens.
Qualifications:
Understand Broadband technology and business models.
Understand technology well enough to decide between trade-offs, create a strategy, drive operational excellence and explain FUN’s solutions to others
Demonstrated ability to make good and timely decisions and communicate those decisions
Bachelor’s degree
5+ years of progressive experience in leading technical leadership teams
5+ years of demonstrated success leading a complex organization to continuously improve capability and performance
3+ years’ experience providing fiscal management for a complex large scale organization
Experience in state level government relations
Experience in working with enterprise business, educational, healthcare and government customers
Successful candidates must comply with federal, state, and local law, FUN agreements that require the organization implement specific privacy and security safeguards, including but not limited to ITAR, EAR, HIPAA, and FISMA.
