RIDGELAND, Miss. — Telecommunications company C Spire announced Monday the appointment of Suzy Hays as president and chief executive officer effective July 1. Hays will succeed Hu Meena, who will step up to Chairman of the Board of Telapex Inc., the holding company for both C Spire and Franklin Telephone Company Inc.

Hays is a seasoned, highly successful business leader with a track record of driving excellence and an uncompromising commitment to C Spire’s vision to be the best at what it does. Under her direction, the company has accelerated ecommerce and digital transformation, launched improved customer experiences, and delivered growth across the company’s business units.

Hays has served in multiple executive roles at C Spire. Most recently, in her role as president, she has been directly responsible for the revenue, profit and customer experience of C Spire’s three operating units, wireless, home and business, as well as the company’s marketing and brand.

For many years, she served as chief marketing officer and led the transition from Cellular South to the C Spire brand in 2011, when the company began its diversification into non-wireless services. In 2013, Hays led the first statewide launch of fiber-to-the-home with C Spire Fiber, bringing broadband services to consumers, businesses and communities.

“It is a privilege to lead C Spire as the next president and CEO,” said Hays. “C Spire is an extraordinary company that is critical in delivering technology and connectivity to advance the communities we serve and our customers’ lives. Hu has provided strong leadership and a legacy of exceptional accomplishments that have helped C Spire evolve. I look forward to working with C Spire’s talented leadership and team to continue to deliver best-in-class technology and customer-inspired experiences.”

Meena began his career with C Spire — then known as Cellular South — in 1987 as general manager for the company’s first market on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. He was responsible for the company’s start-up in February 1988. Under his leadership, C Spire has become the largest privately held wireless carrier and the sixth-largest carrier in the nation. Meena also led the start-up of Telepak Networks Inc., a fiber optic based broadband networking company that today operates as C Spire Fiber and has served as a catalyst for the company’s geographic expansion over the last decade.

“Suzy’s leadership, operational expertise and deep knowledge of C Spire make her the right leader to advance C Spire’s strategic plan and position the company for long-term growth,” said Meena. “I have full confidence in her ability to build upon C Spire’s successes while remaining faithful to C Spire’s vision, mission and branding. She is highly committed to our customers and team members at C Spire.”