Crown Castle Inc. (NYSE: CCI), a Houston-based real estate investment trust specializing in owning, operating, and leasing approximately 40,000 cell towers across the United States, has announced leadership transitions at the top of its executive team. The company’s chief financial officer, Sunit Patel, will retire effective March 31, 2027. Concurrently, Kris Hinson, currently serving as executive vice president and chief commercial officer, will assume the CFO role starting April 1, 2027, following the filing of Crown Castle’s 2026 annual report (Form 10-K).
Hinson’s appointment marks a transition that reflects his extensive experience in corporate finance and investor relations. Previously, he served as vice president of corporate finance and treasurer at Crown Castle, overseeing investor relations, strategic planning, treasury operations, procurement, business analytics, sustainability initiatives, and corporate facilities. Before joining Crown Castle, he spent 13 years at ExxonMobil, holding roles including director of investor relations and managing director of ExxonMobil Czech Republic.
In addition to the CFO transition, Crown Castle announced the departure of chief operating officer Cathy Piche. Piche will leave her COO position on September 23, 2026, remaining as a special advisor until February 22, 2027, to support the company’s leadership changes. Piche has been with Crown Castle for 15 years, holding senior roles such as area president and senior vice president of network operations, and currently serves as chair of the Wireless Infrastructure Association.
The company has initiated a search for a permanent replacement for Piche’s COO role, signaling ongoing efforts to maintain operational continuity amid leadership transitions.
