Shentel names Edward McKay as new president and CEO

EDINBURG, Va. - Shenandoah Telecommunications Company (NASDAQ:SHEN), a regional telecom provider with a market capitalization of $805 million and currently trading near its InvestingPro Fair Value, announced Thursday that Edward H. McKay will become its new President and Chief Executive Officer effective September 1, 2025.

McKay, currently serving as 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 working with the leadership team. The leadership change comes as the company has shown strong momentum, with a 35.93% price return over the past six months.

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

"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 network includes over 17,700 route miles of fiber, offering services such as broadband internet, video, voice, and managed network services.

The leadership transition comes as the company continues to focus on its strategic growth initiatives in the telecommunications sector.

In other recent news, Shenandoah Telecommunications reported its second-quarter 2025 earnings, highlighting a mixed performance. The company achieved an earnings per share (EPS) of -$0.19, slightly surpassing the projected -$0.20. However, revenue came in at $88.6 million, falling short of the anticipated $90.52 million. These recent developments indicate a slight earnings beat but a revenue miss. Despite the mixed earnings report, the company’s stock showed minimal movement in aftermarket trading. Analysts had forecasted the revenue figures, and the company’s results did not meet those expectations. The earnings call provided insights into the company’s financial health and performance for the quarter.

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