Randall L. Stephenson served as the CEO and Chairman of AT&T from 2007 until 2021. His journey with the company began in 1982 when he joined through its subsidiary, Southwestern Bell Telephone. Over the years, he took on various roles,...

Randall L. Stephenson served as the CEO and Chairman of AT&T from 2007 until 2021. His journey with the company began in 1982 when he joined through its subsidiary, Southwestern Bell Telephone. Over the years, he took on various roles, including Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, which helped him understand the company inside out. In 2020, he shifted to Executive Chairman before retiring in early 2021. Interestingly, he encouraged AT&T to modernize its approach to media and communications while also opting for a salary cut to support company objectives during tough times, reducing his short-term awards by 50%. Despite stepping back, he continued to advise the company under a one-year consulting agreement. In his retirement, he diversified his investments with holdings in AT&T and now around 70,000 shares of Walmart. This shows he not only led the company but also made strategic personal investing decisions. Stephenson stands out for leading AT&T through significant transitions while prioritizing shareholder interests and company performance.