Company: Zayo Group, Boulder, CO
Company Description: Based in Boulder, Colo., Zayo Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ZAYO) is a publicly traded company that provides comprehensive bandwidth infrastructure services in over 300 markets throughout the US and Europe. Zayo delivers a suite of dark fiber, mobile infrastructure, and cloud & connectivity services across its robust 82,000 route mile network. he company also offers 45 carrier-neutral datacenters.
Nomination Category: Management Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Executive of the Year - Telecommunications

Nomination Title: Dan Caruso, CEO

Tell the story about what this nominated executive has achieved since January 1 2014 (up to 650 words). Describe the impact he or she has had on your organization. Focus on specific accomplishments, and relate these accomplishments to past performance or industry norms.

Dan Caruso is co-founder, chairman and CEO of Zayo Group (NYSE: ZAYO), an international bandwidth infrastructure services provider, based in Boulder, Colorado. Since founding Zayo in 2007, the company has become one of the most successful startups in Colorado and a global leader in the telecommunications space. Under Dan’s leadership, the company has acquired and successfully integrated 34 companies, including two companies in Europe. Through both organic growth and acquisition, Zayo has grown its fiber-optic network to more than 82,000 route miles across the U.S. and Europe. Zayo generates more $1.2B in revenue, greater than $600M in EBITDA, and employs more than 1,800 people worldwide.

In October 2014, Dan guided Zayo to the completion of a successful initial public offering (IPO) on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Zayo priced its IPO during one of the most turbulent weeks in the equity markets for 2014, and in order to complete the deal, Dan and his executive team were forced to make the difficult decision of whether to restructure the size and pricing of its offering at the last minute. The team ultimately restructured the deal and Zayo’s stock traded up 16 percent on its debut day of trading. Zayo raised more than $287 million in its initial public offering, bringing its market capitalization to $7.3 billion at the end of 2014. Zayo’s stock ended the year at $30.57, well above the $19.00 offering price.

In 2014, Dan revealed he had been re-diagnosed with prostate cancer, following treatment in June 2013. As he undergoes further treatment, Dan continues to lead the company with inspiration, energy and the commitment he has demonstrated since founding the company.

In 2014, Dan was named to the Global Telecoms Business Power 100 and selected as Blackstone Entrepreneur Network’s steering committee chairman. Zayo ranked 1,300 on the Inc. 5000 list of Fastest Growing Private Companies in America. Zayo was also awarded 2014 Best Wholesale Innovation at the Global Telecoms Business Innovations Awards.

Rachael Donaldson, vice president of People, Culture, and Brand at Zayo stated:
“Dan not only has vision, but also the follow-through and dedication to make it happen and gain traction. He does this by surrounding himself with good people and taking the time to listen to other viewpoints and have a very intellectual conversation about anything to get there. He’s is a high-integrity, genuine guy with an incredible passion to see his team and company continue to succeed and grow.”

Community

In addition to leading a successful bandwidth infrastructure company, Dan is a leader within Colorado’s entrepreneurial community, contributing his time, talent and personal resources to ensure Colorado supports a vibrant entrepreneurial community. He is an advisor to multiple entrepreneur-focused organizations including Startup Colorado, the Blackstone Entrepreneurial Network, and Silicon Flatirons. He actively supports the University of Colorado and co-teaches a class on entrepreneurship to serve as a resource for students interested in pursuing the entrepreneurial path.

In a cause that is personally meaningful, Dan supports company participation in Boulder County’s B Strong Ride, a 69-mile bike ride through Rocky Mountain National Park. In 2014, Zayo had more than 60 employees ride in the race, resulting in a contribution of over $40,000 for the George Karl Foundation, which provides a full-year of cancer care at Boulder County Hospital for Integrative Care. In 2014, Dan encouraged other area businesses to participate in the event by offering to personally match company donations to the cause.

In bullet-list form, briefly summarize up to ten (10) of the chief accomplishments of this nominated executive since the beginning of 2014.

- Zayo completed four acquisitions for a total of $436 million

- Zayo priced its IPO during the most turbulent week in the equity markets for 2014. In order to complete the deal, Zayo was forced to restructure the structure as well as the size of its offering at the last minute. The deal traded up 16% on its debut day of trading.

- Zayo’s stock ended the year at $30.57, well above the $19.00 offering price

- Dan was named to the Global Telecoms Business Power 100

- Dan was selected as Blackstone Entrepreneur Network’s steering committee chairman

- Zayo ranked 1,300 on the Inc. 5000 list of Fastest Growing Private Companies in America

- Zayo ranked on Built in Colorado’s Top 100 Digital Employers list