Edge Names Christopher R. Markham President and CEO Following Nationwide Search
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, January 13, 2026 – Edge, a leading member-owned nonprofit provider of high-performance optical fiber networking and advanced technology solutions, announced today that Christopher R. Markham, Ph.D. (c), has been selected to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.
Markham has served as Interim President and CEO since October 1, 2025, following the retirement of Samuel Conn, Ph.D. His selection follows a comprehensive nationwide search conducted by Edge’s Board of Trustees to identify a leader capable of advancing the organization’s mission while building on its strong foundation of innovation and member service.
On Thursday, January 8, the Chair of Edge’s Board of Trustees, Dr. Stephen Rose, formally notified Markham that the Board had reached unanimous agreement to confirm his leadership as President and Chief Executive Officer. The decision reflects the Board’s confidence in Markham’s strategic direction, operational leadership, and stewardship of the organization during a period of transition and growth.
“I am deeply grateful to President Rose, the Executive Committee, and the full Board of Trustees for the trust they have placed in me,” said Markham. “Edge is a mission-driven organization with a strong legacy and an even stronger future. I approach this role with humility, a deep sense of responsibility, and a commitment to thoughtful stewardship in service of our members, our community, and the long-term health of the network.”
Markham brings more than 25 years of executive leadership experience across higher education, research networks, government, and the private sector. Since joining Edge in 2018, and previously serving as Executive Vice President of Operations and Chief Economic Development Officer, he has played a central role in advancing Edge’s evolution into one of the nation’s most respected and expansive research and education networks.
Working in close collaboration with Edge’s leadership team, Markham has led and supported the team's expansion of multi-state GigaPOP connectivity, anchored at Princeton University and Rutgers University, with critical hubs in Philadelphia and Manhattan. These investments have strengthened high-performance research networking for R1 universities, medical centers, and federal research partners, while positioning Edge as a nationally trusted leader in digital infrastructure.
Markham’s career reflects a consistent focus on aligning advanced technology with institutional research priorities, economic development, and mission-driven outcomes. He emphasizes comprehensive operational strategy, financial stewardship, digital transformation, and infrastructure modernization—capabilities essential to supporting Edge’s diverse and growing membership.
A scholar and educator, Markham has been actively engaged in academically rigorous, peer-reviewed research dissemination since 2013, with a focus on economic policy, technology, and institutional transformation. He is currently completing his doctoral dissertation titled “Policy Sequencing in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: How GPT Diffusion Shapes the Timing of Redistributive Interventions.” He has also served as an adjunct professor of economics, teaching at institutions ranging from community colleges to research universities.
From 2000 to 2021, Markham served in both the U.S. Army Active Duty and Reserve components, progressing from an enlisted technology engineer to a commissioned officer in military intelligence and battalion signal units. Over two decades of service, he led multi-state operations encompassing fiscal planning, logistics, and organizational readiness. This experience shaped a mission-oriented, resilient, and collaborative leadership style that continues to inform his executive approach.
Outside of his professional responsibilities, Markham takes great pride in his family and often emphasizes that nothing is more important to him than leaving a meaningful legacy, creating lasting impact, and being fully present in the lives of his two sons. That same sense of long-term responsibility and stewardship informs his leadership at Edge.
About Edge
Edge is a member-owned, nonprofit provider of high-performance optical fiber networking and internetworking, Internet2 access, and a broad portfolio of best-in-class technology solutions, including cybersecurity, educational technologies, cloud computing, and professional managed services. Edge serves colleges and universities, K–12 school districts, government entities, healthcare networks, and nonprofit organizations nationwide. Guided by a common-good mission, Edge empowers its members through affordable, reliable, and purpose-built digital infrastructure that enables innovation and digital transformation.