Jody Craft, president and CEO of US fiber firm LiveOak Fiber, has passed away.

The company announced the sudden passing of Craft this week.

Jody Craft LiveOak Fiber
Jody Craft – LiveOak Fiber

LiveOak described Craft as a transformative leader dedicated to customer experiences and innovation.

"Jody's passion for connecting communities and his belief in the power of reliable Internet as a catalyst for positive change will forever be part of LiveOak Fiber's DNA," said Steve Smith, chief revenue officer and LiveOak co-founder. "Jody built a strong and experienced team who are committed to carrying forward his vision and ensuring his impact continues to resonate in the communities we serve."

Shane Schilling, LiveOak Fiber’s COO, will be appointed as acting CEO.

"In just two years, fueled by Jody’s bold and unparalleled vision, LiveOak Fiber has become a force to be reckoned with in the regional fiber market," said Schilling. "We are well equipped to continue expanding and fulfilling our promise to deliver best-in-class fiber technology to communities in need."

Craft joined LiveOak in 2022 from Ronin Technology Advisors, a telecommunication consultancy he founded in 2015. He previously served as CTO of Ritter Communications, head of operations at Budget Prepay Inc., and EVP of global IP development at Deutsche Telekom (T-Systems). He also held roles at 360Networks and Telia.

DCD sends its condolences to Jody's family and friends.