Tilson gets a new CEO; Broder retains executive role
Photos / Joshua Broder via LinkedIn
Darrell Ingram, left, is the new CEO of Tilson, succeeding Joshua Broder. The latter will remain of executive chairman of the Portland-based company and CEO of Tilson Infrastructure.
After more than a decade at the helm of Tilson, Joshua Broder has stepped down as CEO but will stay on as executive board chairman at the Portland-based provider of telecommunications infrastructure and services. Broder will also continue to lead Tilson Infrastructure, a company that Tilson spun out in 2019.
Darrell Ingram, Tilson’s president and chief operating officer, will succeed Broder as CEO, the company announced Tuesday. The news comes about two years after Ingram joined Tilson following a nationwide search.
“Rarely does a person with such strong operational knowledge and leadership ability also have such a deep understanding of financial management. Experience, high EQ and financial management — Darrell is the total package,” Broder told Mainebiz.
Tilson has a workforce of around 1,400 employees. Broder said the division he leads has 15 employees and is responsible for 2,800 towers and poles across the U.S. along with some big long-haul fiber networks.
In a LinkedIn post announcing the changes, Broder referred to Tilson Infrastructure as "having the tiger by the tail." He also referenced the tradition of "passing the guidon" — the handover of a military unit's flag to signify the transfer and entrustment of the unit to a new commander.
Broder noted the opening for COO at Tilson and urged users to "stay tuned" for a new vice president of finance role at Tilson Infrastructure.
Looking ahead to his next chapter, Broder told Mainebiz, “On the board of Tilson I’m excited to work more on strategy and finance, and as the CEO of Tilson Infrastructure I’m excited about driving growth through solving bigger, challenging, capital-intensive problems for telecom companies.”
Broder, a decorated Army veteran and self-taught network engineer, was Tilson’s third employee when he joined in 2007. He became general manager in 2009 and bought the company in 2012, when it was much smaller. Under his watch, the company has made the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing private companies for 13 straight years.
Broder said on LinkedIn that there will be no change in Tilson's ownership, but that "we are rigging for continued high organic growth, and adjusting daily to our new and bigger size."
'On a mission'
Ingram pledged to continue Tilson’s growth trajectory in his new role.
“Josh’s visionary leadership has significantly expanded Tilson’s portfolio and presence in critical growth markets,” Ingram said. “He has laid a robust foundation for future success, and we are grateful for his unwavering dedication and guidance.
"Our commitment to growth remains steadfast, and I extend my gratitude to both Josh and the board for entrusting me with the leadership of this purpose-driven organization.”
He added that “our customers have given us big goals to hit for the next several years and I’ll be focused on execution for them, while sustainably scaling the company for its team members, customers and shareholders. We are on a mission.”
Broder was honored as a Mainebiz Business Leader of the Year in 2018.
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