Crown Castle Makes Executive Leadership Shift; Interim CEO Takes Helm During Strategic Transition

Crown Castle Inc. (CCI) has removed Steven Moskowitz from his role as President and Chief Executive Officer, marking a significant leadership restructuring for the real estate investment trust. The board swiftly named Dan Schlanger, who previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, to assume interim CEO responsibilities, effective immediately.

The leadership change comes as Crown Castle navigates a transformative period for its business portfolio. The company emphasized that Moskowitz’s departure stems from strategic considerations rather than performance issues or compliance matters, underscoring the board’s confidence in the company’s operational trajectory.

Transition Timeline and New Appointments

Dan Schlanger will helm the organization as interim Chief Executive Officer while the board conducts an active search for a permanent successor. A leading executive search firm has been retained to manage this recruitment effort.

Notably, Schlanger’s tenure as CFO will continue until April 1, 2025, when Sunit Patel steps into the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer position. Following the appointment of a new CEO, the board intends to transition Schlanger into a Chief Transformation Officer role—a strategic position focused on executing the company’s major portfolio repositioning.

Strategic Business Transitions Ahead

Crown Castle’s recent decisions reflect its broader business transformation strategy. The company is proceeding with the sale of its small cells and fiber solutions businesses to EQT and Zayo, with the transaction expected to conclude during the first half of 2026. Schlanger’s transformation oversight role will be instrumental in ensuring this transition closes successfully.

Maintained Financial Outlook

Importantly, Crown Castle has reaffirmed all recently announced financial guidance and capital allocation policies, signaling organizational stability despite the executive transition. The company’s strategic priorities and investor commitments remain firmly in place as it executes this leadership evolution.

The double CEO announcement—Steven Moskowitz’s departure and Dan Schlanger’s assumption of interim leadership—reflects Crown Castle’s disciplined approach to leadership continuity during a period of significant business transformation.