Claude Aiken is now Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Legal Officer for Nextlink Internet, a hybrid fiber-and-fixed-wireless network operator. Aiken was most recently President/CEO of the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association, a position he held since 2018. Aiken joins Nextlink full-time on May 2.
Aiken joined WISPA after nearly a decade at the FCC, where he was an adviser to former Chairman Tom Wheeler and former Commissioner Mignon Clyburn. He held senior leadership positions in the Wireline Bureau and Office of General Counsel, as well staff attorney roles throughout the Commission.
In his new role, Aiken will lead Nextlink’s efforts on strategic market development, as well as heading the company’s legal and government affairs. In addition to contributing to Nextlink’s existing depth, Claude will leverage his experience to advance connectivity in underserved areas, promoting Nextlink’s vision to be a customer-focused, community-based service provider across the heartland. Nextlink Internet provides fixed-wireless and fiber internet and phone services across Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Illinois, South Dakota and Iowa.
Nextlink Founder/CEO Bill Baker calls Aiken “a nationally recognized leader in the connectivity space.” He said Aiken’s experience in the legal, policy, and business aspects of the ever-changing connectivity market “will add depth to Nextlink and inform our ongoing efforts to connect communities.”
Aiken looks forward to working with the team “to promote strategic investments and strong policies that close the digital divide for communities around the country.”
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