Shentel appoints Edward McKay as new CEO, French to become chairman

EDINBURG, Va. - Shenandoah Telecommunications Company (NASDAQ:SHEN), a regional telecom provider with a market capitalization of $805 million and a notable 30-year track record of consistent dividend payments, announced Thursday that Edward H. "Ed" McKay will become President and Chief Executive Officer effective September 1, 2025. According to InvestingPro data, the company has shown strong momentum with a 36% price return over the past six months, despite facing near-term profitability challenges.

McKay, currently Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, will succeed Christopher E. French, who will transition to the role of Executive Chairman of the Board. French will remain active in guiding company strategy and continue working with senior leadership and the board. For deeper insights into SHEN’s leadership transition and comprehensive financial analysis, InvestingPro subscribers can access the detailed Pro Research Report, one of 1,400+ available company deep-dives.

As COO since July 2021, McKay has overseen sales, marketing, engineering, operations, information technology, and customer service across the organization. He joined Shentel in 2004 after holding management positions at UUNET and Verizon, bringing 29 years of telecommunications industry experience.

"As our succession planning process developed over the last five years, it became increasingly clear that Ed is the right person to lead Shentel forward," French said in the press release.

McKay expressed gratitude for the opportunity, stating he looks forward to "executing on our fiber growth plans and delivering value for our customers and shareholders."

Shentel provides broadband services through fiber optic and cable networks across eight eastern U.S. states. The company’s service portfolio includes broadband internet, video, voice, high-speed Ethernet, dark fiber leasing, and managed network services. Shentel’s regional network spans over 17,700 route miles of fiber.

The leadership change comes as part of a planned succession strategy that has been developing over several years, according to the company’s statement. With revenue growth of 28% in the last twelve months and a healthy current ratio of 1.2, the company maintains strong operational fundamentals despite current market challenges. InvestingPro analysis reveals additional insights, with 8 more key ProTips available to subscribers.

In other recent news, Shenandoah Telecommunications reported its second-quarter 2025 earnings, which included a slight beat on earnings per share (EPS) but a miss on revenue forecasts. The company achieved an EPS of -$0.19, marginally better than the expected -$0.20. However, its revenue was $88.6 million, falling short of the anticipated $90.52 million. In addition to these financial results, Shenandoah Telecommunications announced a significant leadership change. Edward H. McKay has been named the new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective September 1, 2025. McKay, currently the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, will succeed Christopher E. French, who will transition to the role of Executive Chairman of the Board. French will continue to play an active role in shaping the company’s strategy and collaborating with the leadership team. These developments mark notable changes for Shenandoah Telecommunications.

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