Originally posted on Business Record.
When Geoge O’Neal was going through the interview process and researching technology solution provider Aureon, where he was being recruited for the CEO role, he said he liked the “uniqueness” of the opportunity
“I like unique challenges and this is definitely one,” said O’Neal, who became president and CEO on Jan. 13, replacing Scott Behn.
He said it’s unique in the sense that there are fiber companies, companies that do managed IT services, contact center companies and consulting companies, but not many that offer multiple services.
“There are very few, if any, that have the whole package together,” he said. “And then you combine that, we’re owned by … our shareholders … the independent telephone companies. That also makes us pretty unique.”
O’Neal has worked in the telecommunications and network administration field for nearly 30 years. He previously held roles at Alltell and AT&T, and most recently he served 18 years as vice president of network services for GVTC Communications, a Texas-based communications provider. He led the transformation of GVTC’s network from copper to fiber, building fiber to over 80,000 rooftops and managed over $350 million in capital spending.
O’Neal received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. After graduating, he served in the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant.
Aureon was created in the 1980s by a group of small independent telephone companies around the state of Iowa, he said. Today, Aureon has 450 employees and has access to almost 60,000 miles of fiber in Iowa. The company also has a presence in Kansas City, with employees there. It also has access to Chicago and Minneapolis from a fiber standpoint, he said.
The Business Record sat down with O’Neal at Aureon’s West Des Moines office to learn more about his career and his new role.
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