Robert Shanahan

Robert Shanahan was the president and chief executive officer of Lightower Fiber Networks, a privately held company that provides broadband infrastructure, digital fiber optic networks, and data center services. He oversaw the company’s dramatic expansion which culminated in Crown Castle International Corp. finalizing its bid to acquire Lightower for $7.1 billion in November of 2017. Shanahan co-founded Conversent Communications and served as the company’s president and CEO from 1998 until it was sold in 2006. Shanahan began his career with Pace Long Distance Company, a start-up long-distance provider. Throughout his career, he also held senior management positions with MCI, Brooks Fiber. A longtime supporter of his alma mater, Shanahan a member of the Board of Trustees at Marist College and is also actively involved with the Boys & Girls Club and a Trustee with the Bob Woodruff Foundation.