CDG promotes Mike Chalk to chief operating officer

Communications Data Group named longtime executive Mike Chalk its new chief operating officer on October 6, 2026, in Champaign, Illinois. The move keeps leadership in-house as CDG pushes growth, customer service and operational execution for broadband and communications providers.

Why it matters: - CDG is elevating a longtime insider to help guide day-to-day operations and future growth. - The move reinforces CDG's focus on customer service, execution and leadership development from within. - The appointment comes as broadband and communications providers rely on CDG's software to manage core operations.

What happened: - Communications Data Group named Mike Chalk its new chief operating officer on October 6, 2026. - CDG is based in Champaign, Illinois. - Chalk has spent more than 16 years with CDG after joining the company in 2009. - Chalk most recently served as vice president of product development.

The details: - Chalk helped guide the evolution of CDG's flagship Elements platform. - As COO, Chalk will oversee day-to-day operations. - Chalk will also help drive strategic initiatives tied to growth, customer relationships and organizational performance. - CDG said Chalk played an instrumental role in developing and advancing its software solutions. - Those tools help broadband providers streamline operations, improve customer experiences and position themselves for long-term success. - CDG describes itself as a provider of cloud-based OSS/BSS solutions for broadband and communications service providers. - CDG's platform supports voice, video, data, circuit and interconnect services for retail and wholesale broadband providers and carriers. - The company says its open architecture and operator-driven approach help clients build service ecosystems, improve business intelligence and develop AI/ML and automation capabilities. - Jason Dandridge, CDG's CEO, said the company conducted an extensive search that drew more than 500 applicants. - Dandridge said Chalk stood out because of his leadership, industry expertise and commitment to employees, customers and the company mission. - Chalk said he is honored and excited to take on the role. - Chalk said customer trust, responsiveness, accountability, innovation and execution will remain top priorities.

Between the lines: - CDG is signaling continuity rather than a reset by promoting a leader who already knows the products, customers and internal culture. - The search pool of more than 500 applicants suggests the COO job carried broad appeal, but CDG chose familiarity and institutional knowledge over an outside hire. - The emphasis on trust and execution points to a competitive market where service quality and reliability matter as much as software features.

What's next: - Chalk will lead operations as CDG pushes its next phase of growth. - CDG expects the appointment to strengthen customer relationships and organizational performance. - The company plans to continue building on its cloud-based platform and service model for communications providers.

The bottom line: - CDG is betting that an internal leader with deep product knowledge can help scale the company without losing focus on customers.