C Spire’s CFO Ben Pace is moving to the company’s Birmingham, Alabama office to pilot continued growth and expansion for the diversified telecommunications and technology services firm across the state. Pace previously worked in C Spire’s Ridgeland, Mississippi headquarters for the past 23 years.

The move comes in the midst of a $500 million investment in fiber infrastructure and network enhancements in Alabama to provide ultra-fast broadband internet access for consumers and other advanced voice and data services to businesses.

“We have a long-standing commitment to Alabama, and are expanding our services across the state, bringing ultra-fast fiber to rural communities, encouraging private sector broadband investment and leveraging existing resources to residents and businesses,” said Hu Meena, president and CEO of C Spire. “To lead our continued growth, we felt it important to have an executive from the C-suite working in our Birmingham office. Ben will be a great catalyst and visionary in the marketplace.”

The fiber enhancements in the state are part of a three-year initiative, announced in 2021 to invest $1 billion across Alabama and Mississippi – the largest capital spend in the firm’s history. The initiative is accelerating the deployment of fiber across both states. C Spire is also completing a 243 mile long haul fiber initiative from Meridian, Miss. to Homewood, Ala., bringing service to a rural part of the state that is underserved.

Also fueling the company’s expansion in Alabama was the acquisition of Troy Cable, which has secured eight state grants and a federal grant (Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs and federal Rural Digital Opportunity Fund) worth $40.7 million to deploy fiber across the state, especially in rural areas. All these projects have been delivered on time or ahead of schedule, and greater than expectations.

“I am eager to work alongside my colleagues, state and local officials, businesses and residents to advance technologies that will enhance the quality of life across Alabama,” Pace said. “We are steadfast in our investment in Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee to improve the economic future for the next generation.”

C Spire‘s broadband network now provides ultra-fast, all-fiber services to more than 200,000 homes and business in Alabama and Mississippi after continuing to expand its broadband internet availability in the marketplace.

Pace joined C Spire in 2000 and is responsible for all accounting and financial functions of the company, including capital financing, mergers and acquisitions and strategic planning.

He previously served as a vice president with Regions Bank for many years and was a staff accountant with a big four accounting firm.

Pace earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from Mississippi State University and is a certified public accountant and chartered global management accountant. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Mississippi Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Pace also serves on the industry committee for the Mississippi Society, Mississippi State University School of Accounting advisory board and Mississippi Aquarium board of directors.