DENVER – Governor’s Office of Information Technology (OIT) Chief Operations Officer and Colorado Broadband Office (CBO) Executive Director Anthony Neal-Graves was named one of the Denver Business Journal’s C-Suite Awards honorees. As noted by the DBJ, the C-suite is more crucial than ever, and this program recognizes vital and business-savvy professionals for their organizational accomplishments and community involvement. Honorees were nominated by their colleagues, bosses and friends in a competitive field.
After decades in leadership roles at Intel Corporation, Lucent Technologies, AT&T, and AT&T Bell Laboratories, Neal-Graves was appointed by Governor John Hickenlooper in 2017 to lead the Colorado Broadband Office within OIT. In 2019, he was appointed OIT Chief Operations Officer by Dr. Theresa Szczurek, Chief Information Officer and Executive Director.
“Tony Neal-Graves brings his wealth of experience and high standards to everything he undertakes, which is especially important in today's complex, challenging, and chaotic environment. Along with expanding the state’s broadband coverage, Operations is another area where Tony truly shines as a leader,” said Dr. Szczurek. “He has a calming effect on those around him, helping them feel like it’s all going to work out just fine as he methodically walks through the steps that need to happen for a successful outcome.”
As Chief Operations Officer, Neal-Graves oversees day-to-day operations and leads OIT’s finance and human resources teams. He led the significant transformation of OIT’s funding and billing model to one that enables customers to use transparent and real-time information to make better fiscal decisions. In his role as CBO Executive Director, Neal-Graves and his team have helped increase access to broadband internet in rural homes from 59% in 2015 to 87% today. In addition, through the CBO’s dedicated efforts 100% of all school districts are meeting current FCC connectivity standards.
Neal-Graves said, “It is an honor to be included among this deserving group of honorees. It has been the opportunity of a lifetime to contribute to expanding broadband across our state as well as contribute to the transformation of IT for the state.”
Honorees will be recognized at a virtual awards ceremony on Monday, Sept. 21 at 1 p.m.