Communications firm Verizon announced the appointment of Indian-origin executive Sowmyanarayan Sampath as the new Executive Vice President and CEO of Verizon Business, effective July 1, 2022.
He will succeed Tami Erwin, who will assume the role of Strategic Advisor to the CEO until the end of 2022. Sampath will report directly to Hans Vestberg, Verizon Chairman and CEO.
“Sampath brings more than two decades of experience in digital transformation and critical network infrastructure on behalf of business customers to his new role at Verizon, plus extensive knowledge of products and their role in powering enterprise growth and global security,” said Vestberg. “Given Sampath’s distinguished Verizon tenure, this will be a seamless transition and I expect him to continue the business momentum.”
Sampath joined Verizon in 2014 and currently serves as Chief Revenue Officer for Verizon Business.
Over the years, Sampath has served in several strategic roles at Verizon. He joined as SVP of Business Transformation, transforming the operating model of Verizon and creating two of the company’s largest core initiatives – Network Transformation and OneFiber. As Chief Product Officer for the Consumer and Enterprise businesses, he led joint initiatives across networks, IoT, next-generation video, and developing the 5G product portfolio.
Sampath then operated as Chief Financial Officer at Verizon Media Group, focused on Strategy and Transformation, before becoming President of Global Enterprise, where he spearheaded the commercial launch of Verizon’s 5G networks and multi-access edge computing (MEC) solutions.
“I come to this role from a very diverse background, a mindset to constantly learn and a mission to lead with kindness and integrity during this critical moment of radical digitisation for our customers, '' said Sampath. “The Verizon Business team is absolutely the best in the business and I am committed to ensuring we continue to build on the momentum and success we have shared together thus far. The time is now to disrupt the industry and stay laser focused on transformational outcomes for our customers and how Verizon serves their needs.”
Sampath succeeds Tami Erwin, who has served as Verizon Business CEO since 2019. She was previously the head of operations for Verizon Wireless, and led Verizon Fios, the nation’s largest residential and commercial fiber network. Earlier in her career, she was Chief Marketing Officer of Verizon Wireless and led the business’ west region, taking it from fourth place to first place.
Vestberg added, “In her 35 years with Verizon and its predecessor companies, Tami has been a trailblazer who has led mission critical initiatives across all areas of our company, from wireless, to wireline, to enterprise.”
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