West Carolina CEO Jeff Wilson Announces Retirement After Decade of Transformative Leadership

ABBEVILLE, S.C. – West Carolina Rural Telephone Cooperative (West Carolina) announces the retirement of Chief Executive Officer Jeff Wilson, effective February 7, 2025, following a remarkable 10+ year tenure that has transformed broadband access across Upstate South Carolina.

Under Wilson’s leadership, West Carolina has achieved unprecedented growth and technological advancement, securing more than $100 million in federal funding for fiber build-outs to unserved and underserved areas. His vision and execution have resulted in a 500 percent growth in customer base and a 186 percent increase in revenues, while establishing crucial fiber infrastructure throughout the region.

Key achievements during Wilson’s tenure include the establishment of a comprehensive fiber network throughout Greenwood County serving 22,000 addresses, expansion into Columbia County, Ga., and the formation of Upcountry Fiber, a strategic partnership with Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative that will ultimately serve up to 75,000 addresses. Under his guidance, West Carolina has invested $183 million in network improvements and significantly strengthened its financial position.

“Jeff’s dedication to serving rural communities has been the driving force behind West Carolina’s remarkable transformation,” said Wes McAllister, West Carolina board chairman. “His leadership has not only modernized our infrastructure but has created a foundation for economic growth and connectivity that will benefit our communities for generations to come.”

“Serving the West Carolina membership and customer base has been the capstone of my career,” Wilson says. “I have had the privilege to work along some of the finest professionals in the nation, along with a strategic, compassionate and progressive board. I cannot thank our communities enough for welcoming my wife Sandy and me so many years ago. We came as strangers, and quickly made lifelong friends, who have imprinted on our lives.”

Wilson’s retirement caps a distinguished 47-year career in the telecommunications industry, during which he has worked across all operational areas. Before joining West Carolina, he served as CEO of Dickey Rural Networks in North Dakota, where he pioneered one of the first complete Fiber-to-the-Home networks in the United States. His career also included leadership positions at Qwest, VOLT Telecom, and several other telecommunications organizations.

Wilson and his wife plan to move to the Phoenix-Mesa metropolitan area in late February to be closer to family.

Chris Townson, most recently CEO of DTC Communications in Alexandria, Tenn., has been named as Wilson’s successor and will assume the role of CEO on February 10. Wilson will work closely with Townson through February 18 to ensure a smooth leadership transition.