Zayo Group, a leading communications infrastructure provider, has appointed Chris Brown as its new President and Chief Operating Officer (COO). His appointment improves Zayo’s operations and supports the company’s ongoing network expansion to meet the increasing demand for high-performance connectivity.
Brown joins Zayo with over 30 years of leadership experience across infrastructure, energy, chemicals, and utilities sectors. His skill in managing complicated operations and promoting growth strategies makes him well-suited to lead Zayo’s next phase of expansion.
Driving Operational Excellence and Network Growth
According to Steve Smith, Chief Executive Officer at Zayo, “We’re thrilled to welcome Chris to our leadership team. He brings deep operational and commercial experience with a proven ability to execute across industries. His clarity, focus, and ability to build strong teams will be key as we integrate Crown Castle’s Fiber Solution Business and accelerate growth.”
Brown expressed enthusiasm about joining Zayo during a pivotal period. “Zayo has tremendous opportunity ahead,” he said. “My goal is to keep our execution sharp and growth-focused as we integrate Crown Castle’s Fiber Solution Business. With strong assets, a clear strategy, and a talented team, we are well positioned to deliver results.”
Chris Brown’s Leadership Journey
Before joining Zayo, Brown founded and led Brown Equity Group, a private investment firm specializing in energy, real estate, telecommunications, and agriculture.
He previously served as CEO of Lubrizol, a Berkshire Hathaway company, where he led major global safety and operational transformations. At Berkshire Hathaway Energy Infrastructure Group, Brown shaped the company’s investment strategy across multiple infrastructure sectors.
Earlier, as President of Vestas Wind Energy, he drove significant growth in North American operations, helping the company secure a market-leading position in renewable energy. Brown also served as Chief Operating Officer for the City of Detroit, where he managed daily operations and oversaw critical infrastructure improvements during a period of major transformation.
His earlier roles include senior leadership positions at DTE Energy, Singapore Power, Entergy Power Group, and Constellation Energy.
A corporate finance lawyer by training, Brown holds a Juris Doctor from Villanova University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Delaware.
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Source: Businesswire
