Randall L Stephenson

Randall L. Stephenson, born on April 22, 1960, is a retired American telecommunications executive best known for his role as the chairman and CEO of AT&T Inc. from 2007 until his retirement in 2020. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Central Oklahoma and a Master of Accountancy from the University of Oklahoma. Stephenson began his career in 1982 with Southwestern Bell Telephone and held various executive positions, including a significant role in the company's investment in Telmex, where he was mentored by Carlos Slim.

In 2001, he became the senior vice president and CFO of SBC Communications, where he was instrumental in reducing the company's net debt significantly. Following SBC's acquisition of AT&T in 2005, he continued as COO and later succeeded Edward Whitacre as CEO in 2007. Under his leadership, AT&T made substantial acquisitions, including DirecTV and Time Warner, transforming the company into a major player in the entertainment sector. However, his tenure was also marked by challenges, including a massive debt burden resulting from these acquisitions. He retired as CEO in July 2020, succeeded by John Stankey.12

In addition to his corporate roles, Stephenson served as the National President of the Boy Scouts of America from 2016 to 2018 and was involved in various philanthropic and leadership initiatives.1