Randall Stephenson

Randall Stephenson
Name	Randall Stephenson
Birth date	22 April 1960
Birth place	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
Alma mater	University of Central Oklahoma, University of Michigan
Occupation	Business executive
Known for	Former Chairman and CEO of AT&T

Randall Stephenson is an American business executive best known for his long tenure at AT&T, where he served as chairman and chief executive officer from 2007 to 2020. His leadership was defined by transformative acquisitions, including the landmark purchase of Time Warner, and a strategic pivot toward media and entertainment. Stephenson also held prominent roles in corporate governance and public policy, serving on boards such as the Business Roundtable and as chairman of the Boy Scouts of America.

Early life and education

Born in Oklahoma City, he grew up in a family with ties to the telecommunications industry; his father worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. He attended the University of Central Oklahoma, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in accounting. He later earned a Master of Science in accounting from the University of Michigan, which solidified his financial expertise before beginning his professional career.

Career at AT&T

He joined Southwestern Bell Corporation in 1982 in the Oklahoma City division, holding various finance and accounting roles. As the company evolved through the Bell System divestiture and became part of SBC Communications, he advanced through key positions, including chief financial officer for SBC International. His strategic acumen was demonstrated during SBC's acquisition of its former parent, AT&T Corporation, in 2005, after which the combined entity adopted the iconic AT&T brand.

Leadership and tenure as CEO

Appointed CEO in 2007, he immediately faced the challenges of the Great Recession and a rapidly changing technological landscape. His tenure was marked by bold, debt-financed acquisitions to reposition the company, most notably the 2015 purchase of DirecTV and the 2018 acquisition of Time Warner, creating WarnerMedia. These moves aimed to diversify revenue streams amid declining traditional wireline services and intense competition in wireless from rivals like Verizon and T-Mobile. He also oversaw significant investments in next-generation networks, including the rollout of 5G and fiber optics.

Post-AT&T activities

Following his retirement from AT&T in 2020, he joined the board of directors of The Boeing Company in 2021, bringing expertise in large-scale operations and regulatory navigation. He also serves on the board of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, a private equity firm. He remains active in policy circles, contributing to discussions on antitrust issues and corporate governance through his involvement with the Business Roundtable, where he previously served as chairman.

Personal life

He is married and has three children. A devout Christian, his faith has been a guiding principle in his personal and professional conduct. He is an avid golfer and has participated in numerous PGA Tour pro-am events. He and his wife are also known for their philanthropic support, particularly in the areas of education and community development in Texas and Oklahoma.

Awards and recognition

Throughout his career, he received numerous accolades, including being named one of the "World's Best CEOs" by Barron's. He was also honored with the Woodrow Wilson Award for Corporate Citizenship. His leadership at AT&T earned him a place on the Fortune "Businessperson of the Year" list. In 2020, he was inducted into the Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame for his contributions to American business.

Category:American chief executives Category:AT&T people Category:1960 births Category:Living people