MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS.

BRIAN STADING

CEO | Lumos Fiber

High Point

The 30-year telecommunications industry executive joined Lumos Fiber last year to help lead expansion of its broadband fiber network, which serves about 200,000 residences and small and midsized businesses in North Carolina and Virginia.

Lumos has said it will spend more than $100 million to expand service in the Spartanburg and Columbia metro areas in South Carolina. It has a goal of reaching about 1 million new homes with fiber broadband within the next five years.

Lumos was formed by the 2021 merger of High Point-based NorthState Telecommunications and Waynesboro, Virginia-based Lumos Networks. Its principal owner is the EQT investment and private-equity firm headquartered in Sweden.

Stading previously was chief operating officer of Ziply Fiber, a Kirkland, Washington-based company created when Frontier Communications spun off its local exchange carrier operations in several states.

He's a 30-year industry veteran with degrees from Aurora University and Northwestern University.

Favorite family tradition: Italian dinner on Christmas Eve

Favorite N.C. place to visit: Lake Norman

What do you listen to on your commute: Talk radio

Major inspiration: My dad. Because he is the most honest person I know.

Career highlight: I am living it now at Lumos

Favorite hobby after work: I truly enjoy playing golf.

Best advice to industry newcomer: Be confident and always willing to try new things.

Key industry change in next five years: Improved access for our communities to high-speed internet. People need it to handle the demands of evolving digital life. And our mission is to bring high-speed fiber-optic internet into as many homes as possible.

TIM BOYUM

anchor, 'Capital Tonight' host | Spectrum News 1

Raleigh

The Minnesota native and St. Cloud State University graduate is an anchor for Spectrum 1 News and hosts "Capital Tonight" for the dominant cable TV network. The Washington Post mentioned Boyum as one of the state's best political reporters, reflecting his ability to attract top newsmakers on the show, which airs on weekdays.

Favorite family tradition: The many family vacations we take together.

Favorite N.C. place to visit: Outer Banks. I got married there.

What do you listen to on your commute: Comedy podcasts--"Smartless Conan Needs a Friend."

Major inspiration: Everyday people--I find inspiration in taking political topics and traveling our state.

Career highlight: Interviewing a sitting president.

Favorite hobby after work: Watching sports with my family.

Best advice to industry newcomer: Listening is much more valuable than...