Mike Sievert: Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Mike Sievert
| name         = Mike Sievert
| image = Mike_Sievert_2021.png
| image       = Mike_Sievert_2021.png
| caption = Sievert in 2021
| caption     = Sievert in 2021
| alt = Mike Sievert, president and CEO of T-Mobile US
| alt         = Mike Sievert, president and CEO of T-Mobile US
| birth_date = 1969
| birth_date   = {{Birth year and age|1969}}
| birth_place = Canton, Ohio, U.S.
| birth_place = [[Canton, Ohio]], U.S.
| nationality = American
| nationality = American
| education = University of Pennsylvania (BA)
| education   = [[University of Pennsylvania]] (BA)
| occupation = Business executive
| occupation   = Business executive
| employer = T-Mobile US
| employer     = [[T-Mobile US]]
| title = Vice Chairman of T-Mobile US (from November 1, 2025); formerly CEO (2020–2025)
| title       = Vice Chairman of T-Mobile US (from November 2025); formerly CEO (2020–2025)
| known_for = President and CEO of T-Mobile US (2020–2025), overseeing the T-Mobile–Sprint merger integration
| known_for   = Leading T-Mobile US as CEO through the Sprint merger integration and subsequent growth period
| predecessor = John Legere (as CEO)
| predecessor = [[John Legere]] (as CEO)
| successor = Srini Gopalan (as CEO)
| successor   = [[Srini Gopalan]] (as CEO)
| boards = Starbucks
| boards       = [[Starbucks]]
}}
}}


'''Michael Sievert''' (born 1969) is an American business executive who served as the [[chief executive officer]] (CEO) of [[T-Mobile US]] from April 1, 2020, to October 31, 2025.<ref name="verge-stepping-down">{{cite news |date=September 22, 2025 |title=T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert is stepping down |url=https://www.theverge.com/news/782429/t-mobile-ceo-mike-sievert-stepping-down-srini-gopalan |work=The Verge |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> A native of Canton, Ohio, Sievert rose through the ranks of the American telecommunications industry after earlier careers in technology and marketing. He joined T-Mobile in 2012 as chief marketing officer (CMO),<ref name="adage-cmo">{{cite web |title=T-Mobile Names Tech, Marketing Veteran as CMO |url=https://adage.com/article/digital/t-mobile-names-tech-marketing-veteran-cmo/238398 |publisher=Ad Age |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> was promoted to chief operating officer (COO) in 2015,<ref name="geekwire-coo">{{cite web |title=T-Mobile names Mike Sievert chief operating officer |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2015/t-mobile-names-mike-sievert-chief-operating-officer/ |publisher=GeekWire |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> and then to president in 2018.<ref name="geekwire-president">{{cite web |title=T-Mobile promotes Mike Sievert to president as Sprint acquisition process continues |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2018/t-mobile-promotes-mike-sievert-president-sprint-acquisition-process-continues/ |publisher=GeekWire |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> In November 2019, T-Mobile announced that Sievert would succeed [[John Legere]] as CEO in May 2020, though the transition ultimately occurred a month ahead of schedule on April 1, 2020—the same day T-Mobile completed its merger with [[Sprint Corporation]].<ref name="wsj-top-job">{{cite news |title=T-Mobile Executive Mike Sievert to Take Top Job in May |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/t-mobile-executive-mike-sievert-to-take-top-job-in-may-11574086352 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="nyt-merger">{{cite news |title=T-Mobile Closes Sprint Merger |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/01/business/media/tmobile-closes-sprint-merger.html |work=The New York Times |date=April 1, 2020 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> During his five-year tenure as CEO, Sievert oversaw the integration of Sprint into T-Mobile's operations and the company's continued expansion as one of the three major wireless carriers in the United States. On September 22, 2025, T-Mobile announced that Sievert would step down as CEO effective November 1, 2025, with COO [[Srini Gopalan]] succeeding him, while Sievert transitioned to the role of vice chairman.<ref name="businesswire-successor">{{cite web |title=Srini Gopalan to Succeed Mike Sievert as T-Mobile CEO on November 1, 2025 |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250921456359/en/Srini-Gopalan-to-Succeed-Mike-Sievert-as-T-Mobile-CEO-on-November-1-2025 |publisher=Business Wire |date=September 22, 2025 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
'''Michael Sievert''' (born 1969) is an American business executive who served as the [[chief executive officer]] (CEO) of [[T-Mobile US]] from April 2020 to October 2025. A native of [[Canton, Ohio]], Sievert rose through the ranks of the technology and telecommunications industries over a career spanning more than three decades, holding leadership positions at [[Microsoft]], [[AT&T Wireless]], and several technology startups before joining T-Mobile in 2012 as its chief marketing officer.<ref name="cantonrep">{{cite news |date=2019-11-29 |title=T-Mobile's next CEO Mike Sievert is Canton native |url=https://www.cantonrep.com/news/20191129/t-mobilersquos-next-ceo-mike-sievert-is-canton-native |work=The Canton Repository |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> He ascended through the company as chief operating officer and then president before being named CEO in succession to [[John Legere]], assuming the role on April 1, 2020—the same day T-Mobile completed its landmark merger with [[Sprint Corporation]].<ref name="nyt-merger">{{cite news |date=2020-04-01 |title=T-Mobile Closes Sprint Merger |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/01/business/media/tmobile-closes-sprint-merger.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> During his five-and-a-half-year tenure as CEO, Sievert oversaw the integration of Sprint's network and customer base into T-Mobile, expanded the company's [[5G]] footprint, and led the carrier's push into new business lines including broadband internet. In September 2025, T-Mobile announced that Sievert would step down as CEO effective November 1, 2025, to be succeeded by COO [[Srini Gopalan]], with Sievert transitioning to the role of vice chairman.<ref name="bwire">{{cite web |title=Srini Gopalan to Succeed Mike Sievert as T-Mobile CEO on November 1, 2025 |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250921456359/en/Srini-Gopalan-to-Succeed-Mike-Sievert-as-T-Mobile-CEO-on-November-1-2025 |publisher=Business Wire |date=2025-09-22 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


== Early Life ==
== Early Life ==


Michael Sievert was born in 1969 in Canton, Ohio.<ref name="cantonrep">{{cite news |title=T-Mobile's next CEO Mike Sievert is Canton native |url=https://www.cantonrep.com/news/20191129/t-mobilersquos-next-ceo-mike-sievert-is-canton-native |work=The Canton Repository |date=November 29, 2019 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> He grew up in the Canton area, which would later recognize him as a notable native son following his appointment as CEO of T-Mobile. Details about his family background and childhood have remained largely private, though his roots in the industrial city of northeastern Ohio were noted by local media when his ascension to the T-Mobile chief executive role was announced in late 2019.<ref name="cantonrep" />
Mike Sievert was born in 1969 and grew up in [[Canton, Ohio]], a mid-sized city in northeastern Ohio's [[Stark County, Ohio|Stark County]].<ref name="cantonrep" /> Canton, known historically as the home of the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]], provided a Midwestern upbringing for Sievert. Details about his family background and childhood remain largely private, though his Canton roots were highlighted in local media coverage when he was named as T-Mobile's next CEO in late 2019.<ref name="cantonrep" />
 
Sievert left Ohio to pursue higher education on the East Coast, enrolling at the [[University of Pennsylvania]], one of the [[Ivy League]] institutions located in [[Philadelphia]]. He earned a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree from the university.<ref name="cantonrep" /> The University of Pennsylvania's rigorous academic environment, which includes the [[Wharton School]] of business among its undergraduate programs, provided a foundation for Sievert's subsequent career in technology marketing and business leadership. Specific details regarding his major field of study or extracurricular activities at Penn have not been widely reported.
 
After completing his undergraduate education, Sievert entered the technology sector, beginning a career trajectory that would take him through some of the most prominent companies in the American technology and telecommunications landscape during a period of rapid growth and transformation in both industries.


== Education ==
== Education ==


Sievert attended the [[University of Pennsylvania]], where he earned a bachelor's degree.<ref name="cantonrep" /> The University of Pennsylvania, an Ivy League institution in Philadelphia, provided Sievert with the academic foundation that preceded his career across the technology and telecommunications sectors.
Sievert attended the [[University of Pennsylvania]] in [[Philadelphia]], where he earned a [[Bachelor of Arts]] (BA) degree.<ref name="cantonrep" /> The University of Pennsylvania, founded by [[Benjamin Franklin]] in 1740, is one of eight Ivy League universities and has long been recognized for its programs in business, communications, and the liberal arts. Sievert's educational background at Penn preceded his entry into the technology industry in the early 1990s, a period that coincided with the rise of [[personal computing]] and the early commercialization of the [[internet]].


== Career ==
== Career ==


=== Early Career in Technology ===
=== Early Career and Microsoft ===
 
Before joining T-Mobile, Sievert built a career in the technology and telecommunications sectors that spanned approximately two decades. He held positions at [[AT&T Wireless]] before moving to [[Microsoft]], where he served in a management role related to the company's [[Windows]] operating system division. In 2005, Microsoft hired Sievert from AT&T Wireless to help manage aspects of its Windows business.<ref name="networkworld">{{cite news |title=Microsoft hires AT&T executive to manage Windows |url=https://www.networkworld.com/article/2318884/microsoft-hires-at-t-executive-to-manage-windows.html |work=Network World |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> This move came during a significant period for Microsoft, as the company was developing what would eventually become [[Windows Vista]] (codenamed "Longhorn"), a major and complex update to its flagship operating system.<ref name="theregister">{{cite news |title=Microsoft Longhorn indigestion |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/03/18/microsoft_longhorn_indigestion/ |work=The Register |date=2005-03-18 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


Before joining T-Mobile, Sievert built a career that spanned multiple technology companies and roles. His professional background included experience in both marketing and technology operations. He held a position at [[AT&T]] before moving to [[Microsoft]], where he was hired to manage aspects of the Windows business.<ref name="networkworld-microsoft">{{cite web |title=Microsoft hires AT&T executive to manage Windows |url=https://www.networkworld.com/article/2318884/microsoft-hires-at-t-executive-to-manage-windows.html |publisher=Network World |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> His time at Microsoft coincided with a period of significant product development at the company, including work related to the Longhorn project (which would eventually become Windows Vista).<ref name="register-longhorn">{{cite web |title=Microsoft Longhorn indigestion |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/03/18/microsoft_longhorn_indigestion/ |publisher=The Register |date=March 18, 2005 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Sievert's experience at both AT&T Wireless and Microsoft exposed him to the intersection of telecommunications, consumer technology, and large-scale enterprise operations—skill sets that would prove relevant to his later roles in the wireless carrier industry.


Sievert was also involved in the startup ecosystem. He had a connection to a startup that was acquired by [[Lenovo]].<ref name="computerworld-lenovo">{{cite web |title=Lenovo buys mystery start-up company |url=https://www.computerworld.com/article/2530611/lenovo-buys-mystery-start-up-company.html |publisher=Computerworld |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> This diverse set of experiences across large technology corporations, telecommunications firms, and entrepreneurial ventures gave Sievert a broad perspective on the technology industry before he entered the wireless carrier space.
=== Startup and Venture Experience ===


His professional path has been characterized as that of a "tech and marketing veteran," a description used by industry publications when he was first appointed to a senior role at T-Mobile.<ref name="adage-cmo" /> The combination of marketing acumen and technology operations experience would prove central to his contributions at T-Mobile during a period of significant transformation for the carrier.
In addition to his work at major corporations, Sievert was involved in the startup ecosystem. He was associated with a technology startup that was acquired by [[Lenovo]], the Chinese multinational technology company.<ref name="computerworld">{{cite news |title=Lenovo buys mystery start-up company |url=https://www.computerworld.com/article/2530611/lenovo-buys-mystery-start-up-company.html |work=Computerworld |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> This experience in the entrepreneurial side of the technology industry added a different dimension to Sievert's resume, complementing his corporate background with exposure to the faster-paced, more agile dynamics of smaller companies.


=== T-Mobile: Chief Marketing Officer (2012–2015) ===
=== T-Mobile: Chief Marketing Officer (2012–2015) ===


Sievert joined T-Mobile US in 2012 as the company's chief marketing officer.<ref name="adage-cmo" /> His arrival at T-Mobile came during a pivotal period for the carrier. Under CEO John Legere, who also joined the company in 2012, T-Mobile was embarking on an aggressive strategy to reposition itself against larger competitors [[AT&T]] and [[Verizon Communications|Verizon]]. The company launched its "Un-carrier" strategy, a series of consumer-friendly initiatives designed to challenge industry conventions such as two-year service contracts, data overage charges, and other practices that had long been sources of customer frustration.
Sievert joined [[T-Mobile US]] in 2012 as the company's [[chief marketing officer]] (CMO), a critical hire as the carrier was preparing for a new strategic direction.<ref name="adage-cmo">{{cite news |title=T-Mobile Names Tech, Marketing Veteran CMO |url=https://adage.com/article/digital/t-mobile-names-tech-marketing-veteran-cmo/238398 |work=Ad Age |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> His arrival came shortly before [[John Legere]] took over as CEO in September 2012, and the two executives would go on to work closely together in reshaping T-Mobile's brand identity and competitive positioning.
 
As CMO, Sievert played a role in shaping T-Mobile's marketing approach during the early phases of the Un-carrier strategy. The company's marketing during this period was notable for its confrontational tone toward competitors and its emphasis on consumer value. ''Ad Age'' later profiled Sievert's trajectory from CMO to CEO, noting his contributions to the company's marketing transformation.<ref name="adage-cmo-ceo">{{cite web |title=From CMO to CEO: How Marketing Roused T-Mobile |url=https://adage.com/article/digital/cmo-ceo-roused-t-mobile/294513 |publisher=Ad Age |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The publication highlighted how the marketing function at T-Mobile during Sievert's tenure as CMO was integral to the company's broader corporate strategy, rather than being a support function subordinate to other divisions.
 
=== T-Mobile: Chief Operating Officer (2015–2018) ===


In February 2015, T-Mobile promoted Sievert from CMO to chief operating officer, a move that expanded his responsibilities beyond marketing to encompass broader operational oversight of the company.<ref name="geekwire-coo" /><ref name="vox-coo">{{cite news |title=T-Mobile promotes Mike Sievert to COO, Andrew Sherrard to marketing |url=https://www.vox.com/2015/2/18/11559202/t-mobile-promotes-mike-sievert-to-coo-andrew-sherrard-to-marketing |work=Vox |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> As part of the same organizational restructuring, Andrew Sherrard was promoted to succeed Sievert as CMO.<ref name="vox-coo" />
Under Legere's leadership, T-Mobile launched what it called its "Un-carrier" strategy—a series of consumer-friendly moves designed to disrupt traditional wireless industry practices such as long-term contracts, overage fees, and restrictive data plans. As CMO, Sievert played a central role in shaping and communicating this strategy to consumers and the market. His background in technology marketing, combined with experience at both large corporations and startups, positioned him to help translate T-Mobile's operational changes into compelling consumer messaging.<ref name="adage-cmo-ceo">{{cite news |title=From CMO to CEO: How Marketing Roused T-Mobile |url=https://adage.com/article/digital/cmo-ceo-roused-t-mobile/294513 |work=Ad Age |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


The promotion to COO positioned Sievert as one of the most senior executives at T-Mobile, directly below CEO John Legere in the corporate hierarchy. In this role, Sievert was responsible for overseeing the company's day-to-day operations during a period of sustained subscriber growth. T-Mobile during this period continued to add customers at a pace that outstripped its larger rivals, driven by the continuing rollout of Un-carrier initiatives and network expansion efforts.
The Un-carrier strategy proved effective in driving subscriber growth and repositioning T-Mobile from the fourth-largest U.S. wireless carrier into a more formidable competitor to [[AT&T]] and [[Verizon Communications|Verizon]]. Sievert's marketing leadership during this transformative period was later cited as a key step in his path to the CEO role.<ref name="adage-cmo-ceo" />


=== T-Mobile: President (2018–2020) ===
=== Chief Operating Officer (2015–2018) ===


In July 2018, T-Mobile further elevated Sievert's position by promoting him to president of the company.<ref name="geekwire-president" /><ref name="fierce-president">{{cite web |title=T-Mobile promotes Mike Sievert to president |url=https://www.fiercewireless.com/wireless/t-mobile-promotes-mike-sievert-to-president |publisher=Fierce Wireless |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> This promotion occurred during the process of T-Mobile's proposed acquisition of Sprint Corporation, a merger that had been announced in April 2018 and was undergoing regulatory review. As president, Sievert took on an even larger role in the company's strategic direction while the merger awaited approval from the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) and the [[United States Department of Justice|Department of Justice]].
In February 2015, T-Mobile promoted Sievert from CMO to [[chief operating officer]] (COO), a significant elevation that expanded his responsibilities beyond marketing to encompass broader operational oversight of the company.<ref name="geekwire-coo">{{cite news |date=2015-02-18 |title=T-Mobile names Mike Sievert chief operating officer |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2015/t-mobile-names-mike-sievert-chief-operating-officer/ |work=GeekWire |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="vox-coo">{{cite news |date=2015-02-18 |title=T-Mobile promotes Mike Sievert to COO, Andrew Sherrard to marketing |url=https://www.vox.com/2015/2/18/11559202/t-mobile-promotes-mike-sievert-to-coo-andrew-sherrard-to-marketing |work=Vox |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> As COO, Sievert was responsible for the day-to-day operations of T-Mobile's business, overseeing areas including marketing, sales, customer experience, and products.


The president title formalized Sievert's status as Legere's second-in-command and positioned him as the natural internal candidate to eventually succeed Legere as CEO. During this period, Sievert was involved in the company's efforts to secure regulatory approval for the Sprint merger, which faced scrutiny from federal regulators and opposition from a coalition of state attorneys general who filed a lawsuit to block the deal.
The promotion to COO positioned Sievert as one of the most senior executives at T-Mobile, second in prominence to Legere. During this period, T-Mobile continued to gain subscribers at a rapid pace, chipping away at the market share of larger rivals. The Un-carrier strategy continued to evolve with new consumer offers and operational initiatives, many of which fell under Sievert's expanded purview as COO.


=== CEO Appointment and the Sprint Merger (2019–2020) ===
=== President of T-Mobile (2018–2020) ===


On November 18, 2019, T-Mobile announced that John Legere would step down as CEO in May 2020, with Sievert succeeding him in the top role.<ref name="wsj-top-job" /><ref name="verge-legere-leaving">{{cite news |title=T-Mobile's John Legere is leaving as CEO in 2020, Mike Sievert to take over |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/11/18/20970391/tmobile-john-legere-leaving-as-ceo-2020-mike-sievert |work=The Verge |date=November 18, 2019 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="cbsnews-legere">{{cite news |title=John Legere, T-Mobile CEO, stepping down and making way for Mike Sievert |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/john-legere-tmobile-ceo-stepping-down-and-making-way-for-mike-sievert/ |work=CBS News |date=November 18, 2019 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="bloomberg-successor">{{cite news |title=T-Mobile Names Mike Sievert to Succeed John Legere as CEO |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-11-18/t-mobile-names-mike-sievert-to-succeed-john-legere-as-ceo |work=Bloomberg News |date=November 18, 2019 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The announcement was also reported by the ''New York Post'', which confirmed Legere's planned departure.<ref name="nypost-legere">{{cite news |title=T-Mobile CEO John Legere is stepping down |url=https://nypost.com/2019/11/18/t-mobile-ceo-john-legere-is-stepping-down/ |work=New York Post |date=November 18, 2019 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
In September 2018, T-Mobile promoted Sievert again, this time to the position of president, further solidifying his role as Legere's primary lieutenant and the company's second-in-command.<ref name="geekwire-president">{{cite news |date=2018-09-25 |title=T-Mobile promotes Mike Sievert to president as Sprint acquisition process continues |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2018/t-mobile-promotes-mike-sievert-president-sprint-acquisition-process-continues/ |work=GeekWire |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="fierce-president">{{cite news |title=T-Mobile promotes Mike Sievert to president |url=https://www.fiercewireless.com/wireless/t-mobile-promotes-mike-sievert-to-president |work=Fierce Wireless |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The promotion came during a period of intense activity for T-Mobile, as the company was in the midst of seeking regulatory approval for its proposed merger with [[Sprint Corporation]], which had been announced in April 2018.


The transition ultimately occurred ahead of schedule. On April 1, 2020, Sievert officially became CEO of T-Mobile, one month earlier than originally planned. The acceleration of the CEO transition coincided with a landmark event: the closing of T-Mobile's merger with Sprint Corporation on the same day.<ref name="nyt-merger" /> The ''New York Times'' reported on the closing of the merger, which created a combined company with a significantly larger customer base and spectrum portfolio. The merger, valued at approximately $26 billion, had been one of the most closely watched and contested deals in the telecommunications industry.
As president, Sievert took on an even greater share of operational and strategic responsibility, working alongside Legere to navigate the complex regulatory and political landscape surrounding the Sprint merger. The proposed combination of the third- and fourth-largest U.S. wireless carriers faced scrutiny from the [[Federal Communications Commission]], the [[United States Department of Justice|Department of Justice]], and a coalition of state attorneys general who filed a lawsuit to block the deal.


Sievert thus assumed the CEO role at an extraordinary moment—simultaneously taking the helm of a newly merged company during the early stages of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] in the United States. The dual challenge of integrating two major wireless carriers while navigating the economic disruption caused by the pandemic defined the early months of his tenure.
=== CEO of T-Mobile (2020–2025) ===


=== Tenure as CEO (2020–2025) ===
In November 2019, T-Mobile announced that John Legere would step down as CEO and that Sievert would succeed him, with the transition originally planned for May 2020.<ref name="wsj-ceo">{{cite news |date=2019-11-18 |title=T-Mobile Executive Mike Sievert to Take Top Job in May |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/t-mobile-executive-mike-sievert-to-take-top-job-in-may-11574086352 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="verge-legere">{{cite news |date=2019-11-18 |title=T-Mobile's John Legere is leaving as CEO in 2020 and Mike Sievert will take over |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/11/18/20970391/tmobile-john-legere-leaving-as-ceo-2020-mike-sievert |work=The Verge |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="cbs-legere">{{cite news |date=2019-11-18 |title=John Legere, T-Mobile CEO, stepping down and making way for Mike Sievert |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/john-legere-tmobile-ceo-stepping-down-and-making-way-for-mike-sievert/ |work=CBS News |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="nypost-legere">{{cite news |date=2019-11-18 |title=T-Mobile CEO John Legere is stepping down |url=https://nypost.com/2019/11/18/t-mobile-ceo-john-legere-is-stepping-down/ |work=New York Post |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The announcement was also reported by [[Bloomberg News]], which noted the significance of the leadership transition at a pivotal moment for the company.<ref name="bloomberg-ceo">{{cite news |date=2019-11-18 |title=T-Mobile Names Mike Sievert to Succeed John Legere as CEO |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-11-18/t-mobile-names-mike-sievert-to-succeed-john-legere-as-ceo |work=Bloomberg News |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


Sievert's tenure as CEO lasted more than five years, during which he oversaw the integration of Sprint's network, customers, and workforce into T-Mobile's operations. The Sprint merger integration was a complex undertaking that involved combining two separate wireless networks, migrating millions of Sprint customers to T-Mobile's systems, and consolidating corporate operations.
The transition was accelerated by approximately one month. Sievert officially assumed the CEO role on April 1, 2020, the same day T-Mobile completed its $26 billion merger with Sprint Corporation.<ref name="nyt-merger" /> The simultaneous leadership change and merger closing represented one of the most consequential days in the history of the U.S. wireless industry, creating a combined company with more than 100 million customers.


In June 2020, during a period of national attention to issues of racial justice following the killing of George Floyd, Sievert publicly committed T-Mobile to making changes to increase diversity within the company.<ref name="tmonews-diversity">{{cite web |title=T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert commits to significant changes to increase diversity |url=https://www.tmonews.com/2020/06/t-mobile-ceo-mike-sievert-commits-significant-changes-increase-diversity/ |publisher=TmoNews |date=June 2020 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The commitment was part of a broader wave of corporate responses to the social justice movement that swept the United States in 2020.
Sievert's early tenure as CEO was shaped by two enormous challenges: integrating Sprint's network, employees, and customers into T-Mobile, and navigating the operational disruptions caused by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], which began affecting the United States in earnest in March 2020, just days before he assumed the top role. The pandemic forced rapid adaptation of T-Mobile's retail operations and customer service, while the Sprint integration required the technical consolidation of two separate wireless networks and the migration of millions of Sprint customers to T-Mobile's systems.


During Sievert's time as CEO, T-Mobile also navigated the broader telecommunications industry's transition to [[5G]] wireless technology. The spectrum assets acquired through the Sprint merger, particularly Sprint's holdings in the mid-band spectrum range, became central to T-Mobile's 5G deployment strategy. The company positioned itself as a leader in 5G network coverage, leveraging the combined spectrum portfolio of the merged entity.
In June 2020, Sievert publicly committed to making significant changes within T-Mobile to increase diversity and inclusion within the company, responding to broader societal conversations about racial equity in the United States.<ref name="tmonews-diversity">{{cite news |date=2020-06 |title=T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert commits to significant changes to increase diversity |url=https://www.tmonews.com/2020/06/t-mobile-ceo-mike-sievert-commits-significant-changes-increase-diversity/ |work=TmoNews |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


T-Mobile under Sievert's leadership also expanded beyond its traditional wireless carrier business. The company pursued initiatives in areas such as home internet service, using its wireless network to provide broadband connectivity to households, particularly in underserved and rural areas.
Under Sievert's leadership, T-Mobile pursued an aggressive 5G network buildout strategy, leveraging the mid-band spectrum acquired through the Sprint merger to deploy a nationwide [[5G]] network. The company also expanded into the [[home broadband]] market with its T-Mobile Home Internet service, using its 5G and [[4G LTE]] networks to offer fixed wireless internet as an alternative to traditional cable and fiber providers.


Sievert's leadership style represented a shift from the flamboyant public persona of his predecessor, John Legere, who had been known for his unconventional behavior and social media presence. While Sievert maintained the Un-carrier branding and competitive positioning that had defined T-Mobile's strategy under Legere, his public demeanor was generally described as more measured and corporate in nature.
Throughout his CEO tenure, Sievert maintained a lower public profile than his predecessor Legere, who had become known for his brash personal brand on social media and at industry events. Sievert adopted a more measured leadership style while continuing to advance the Un-carrier positioning that had defined T-Mobile's competitive approach.


=== Departure from CEO Role (2025) ===
=== CEO Transition and Vice Chairmanship (2025) ===


In June 2025, reports emerged from the German newspaper ''Handelsblatt'' suggesting that Sievert might step down as T-Mobile CEO before the end of his contract.<ref name="fierce-stepping-down">{{cite news |title=Is T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert going to step down early? |url=https://www.fierce-network.com/wireless/report-mike-sievert-step-down-early-t-mobile-ceo |work=Fierce Network |date=June 9, 2025 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> These reports were confirmed on September 22, 2025, when T-Mobile officially announced that Sievert would step down as CEO effective November 1, 2025.<ref name="businesswire-successor" /><ref name="verge-stepping-down" />
In June 2025, reports emerged in the German newspaper ''[[Handelsblatt]]'' suggesting that Sievert might step down from the CEO role before the end of his contract.<ref name="fierce-stepdown">{{cite news |date=2025-06-09 |title=Is T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert going to step down early? |url=https://www.fierce-network.com/wireless/report-mike-sievert-step-down-early-t-mobile-ceo |work=Fierce Network |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> On September 22, 2025, T-Mobile officially announced that Sievert would step down as CEO effective November 1, 2025, and would be succeeded by [[Srini Gopalan]], the company's chief operating officer who had previously served as a senior executive at T-Mobile's parent company, [[Deutsche Telekom]].<ref name="bwire" /><ref name="cnet-ceo">{{cite news |date=2025-09-22 |title=T-Mobile's Mike Sievert to Become Un-CEO: Srini Gopalan Takes Over Nov. 1 |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/t-mobiles-mike-sievert-to-become-un-ceo-srini-gopalan-takes-over-nov-1/ |work=CNET |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="verge-stepdown">{{cite news |date=2025-09-22 |title=T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert is stepping down |url=https://www.theverge.com/news/782429/t-mobile-ceo-mike-sievert-stepping-down-srini-gopalan |work=The Verge |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


The company named Srini Gopalan, T-Mobile's chief operating officer, as Sievert's successor.<ref name="geekwire-gopalan">{{cite news |title=Who is T-Mobile's new CEO? Veteran telecom exec Srini Gopalan to succeed Mike Sievert in top role |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2025/who-is-t-mobiles-new-ceo-veteran-telecom-exec-srini-gopalan-to-succeed-mike-sievert-in-top-role/ |work=GeekWire |date=September 22, 2025 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> T-Mobile's press release described Gopalan as "uniquely positioned to lead T-Mobile's next era of growth and digital-first transformation."<ref name="businesswire-successor" /> Sievert transitioned to the role of vice chairman of T-Mobile, maintaining a connection to the company following his departure from the CEO position.<ref name="cnet-un-ceo">{{cite news |title=T-Mobile's Mike Sievert to Become Un-CEO: Srini Gopalan Takes Over Nov. 1 |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/t-mobiles-mike-sievert-to-become-un-ceo-srini-gopalan-takes-over-nov-1/ |work=CNET |date=September 22, 2025 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> CNET's headline playfully described Sievert as becoming the "Un-CEO," a reference to T-Mobile's longstanding Un-carrier branding.<ref name="cnet-un-ceo" />
The announcement described Sievert as transitioning to the role of vice chairman of T-Mobile, a position that would allow him to continue to be involved with the company in an advisory capacity.<ref name="bwire" /> The company characterized the transition as part of a planned succession, with Gopalan described as "uniquely positioned to lead T-Mobile's next era of growth and digital-first transformation."<ref name="bwire" />


Multiple outlets covered the transition, noting that Sievert's five-year tenure had encompassed the completion of the Sprint merger integration and a period of significant growth for the company.<ref name="channelfutures-new-ceo">{{cite news |title=Meet the New T-Mobile CEO: History, Salary, More |url=https://www.channelfutures.com/people-on-the-move/meet-the-new-t-mobile-ceo-history-salary-more |work=Channel Futures |date=September 22, 2025 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="425business">{{cite web |title=T-Mobile COO Gopalan to Succeed Sievert as CEO |url=https://www.425business.com/news/t-mobile-srini-gopalan-new-ceo/article_f97ae8cd-118f-4646-a30d-9b2c8f80b2db.html |publisher=425business.com |date=September 22, 2025 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="police1">{{cite web |title=Srini Gopalan to succeed Mike Sievert as T‑Mobile CEO on November 1, 2025 |url=https://www.police1.com/police-products/communications/srini-gopalan-to-succeed-mike-sievert-as-t-mobile-ceo-on-november-1-2025 |publisher=Police1 |date=September 24, 2025 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Sievert's tenure as CEO thus spanned from April 1, 2020, to October 31, 2025—approximately five years and seven months during which he led the company through the Sprint integration, a global pandemic, and a major network transformation.<ref name="geekwire-gopalan">{{cite news |date=2025-09-22 |title=Who is T-Mobile's new CEO? Veteran telecom exec Srini Gopalan to succeed Mike Sievert in top role |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2025/who-is-t-mobiles-new-ceo-veteran-telecom-exec-srini-gopalan-to-succeed-mike-sievert-in-top-role/ |work=GeekWire |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


== Personal Life ==
== Personal Life ==


Sievert is a native of Canton, Ohio.<ref name="cantonrep" /> He has maintained a relatively low public profile regarding his personal life compared to some other high-profile technology and telecommunications executives. Beyond his role at T-Mobile, Sievert has served on the board of directors of [[Starbucks]], the global coffeehouse chain.
Sievert was born and raised in [[Canton, Ohio]].<ref name="cantonrep" /> He has maintained a relatively private personal life compared to some of his peers in the telecommunications industry. His hometown roots in Canton were a subject of local media interest when he was named as T-Mobile's next CEO in November 2019, with the ''Canton Repository'' running a feature identifying him as a Canton native.<ref name="cantonrep" />


In 2019, during a period of advertiser scrutiny of certain cable news programming, T-Mobile under Sievert's and Legere's leadership was among the companies noted in relation to advertising decisions involving the Fox News program hosted by Tucker Carlson.<ref name="cbsnews-carlson">{{cite news |title=Tucker Carlson advertisers leave Fox News show |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tucker-carlson-advertisers-leave-fox-news-show/ |work=CBS News |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
In addition to his role at T-Mobile, Sievert has served on the board of directors of [[Starbucks]], the global coffeehouse chain headquartered in [[Seattle]].<ref name="thompson">{{cite web |title=Starbucks Board of Directors |url= |publisher=Starbucks |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> He also served on the board of [[Shaw Communications]], the Canadian telecommunications company, contributing to its wireless strategy.<ref name="seekingalpha-shaw">{{cite news |title=Shaw adds to wireless focus, adding T-Mobile's Sievert to board |url=https://seekingalpha.com/news/3305013-shaw-adds-to-wireless-focus-adding-t-mobiles-sievert-to-board |work=Seeking Alpha |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


Sievert has also served on corporate boards outside T-Mobile. He was added to the board of directors of Shaw Communications, the Canadian telecommunications company, reflecting his standing in the broader North American telecom industry.<ref name="seekingalpha-shaw">{{cite web |title=Shaw adds to wireless focus, adding T-Mobile's Sievert to board |url=https://seekingalpha.com/news/3305013-shaw-adds-to-wireless-focus-adding-t-mobiles-sievert-to-board |publisher=Seeking Alpha |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Sievert has been based in the [[Seattle metropolitan area]] during his tenure at T-Mobile, which is headquartered in [[Bellevue, Washington]].<ref name="425biz">{{cite news |date=2025-09-22 |title=T-Mobile COO Gopalan to Succeed Sievert as CEO |url=https://www.425business.com/news/t-mobile-srini-gopalan-new-ceo/article_f97ae8cd-118f-4646-a30d-9b2c8f80b2db.html |work=425 Business |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


== Recognition ==
== Recognition ==


Sievert has been recognized within the telecommunications industry for his role in T-Mobile's growth and competitive positioning. ''Mobile Magazine'' included Sievert on its list of top telecom CEOs worldwide, acknowledging his leadership of one of the largest wireless carriers in the United States.<ref name="mobile-magazine">{{cite web |title=Top 10 Telecom CEOs Worldwide: Mike Sievert, T-Mobile |url=https://www.mobile-magazine.com/top10/top-10-telecom-ceos-worldwide/mike-sievert-t-mobile |publisher=Mobile Magazine |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Sievert's career trajectory from CMO to CEO of a major U.S. wireless carrier has been noted as an example of the marketing-to-CEO pipeline in corporate America. ''Ad Age'' profiled the path from CMO to CEO that Sievert followed, highlighting how his marketing background informed his approach to leading T-Mobile.<ref name="adage-cmo-ceo" />


His career trajectory from CMO to CEO was profiled by ''Ad Age'' as a case study in how marketing leadership can serve as a pathway to the chief executive role, particularly in industries undergoing rapid competitive change.<ref name="adage-cmo-ceo" /> The publication noted that Sievert's marketing background was instrumental in shaping T-Mobile's consumer-facing strategy during a period when the company's brand identity and competitive positioning were central to its business success.
He has been included in lists of notable telecommunications CEOs. ''Mobile Magazine'' listed Sievert among the top telecom CEOs worldwide, citing T-Mobile's growth and competitive positioning under his leadership.<ref name="mobile-magazine">{{cite web |title=Top 10 Telecom CEOs Worldwide: Mike Sievert, T-Mobile |url=https://www.mobile-magazine.com/top10/top-10-telecom-ceos-worldwide/mike-sievert-t-mobile |publisher=Mobile Magazine |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


The announcement of his succession by Srini Gopalan in September 2025 generated extensive media coverage from technology, business, and telecommunications publications, reflecting the significance of the T-Mobile CEO position within the American telecommunications landscape.<ref name="verge-stepping-down" /><ref name="geekwire-gopalan" /><ref name="cnet-un-ceo" />
The leadership transition at T-Mobile received extensive coverage in technology, business, and telecommunications media. News outlets including ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'', ''[[The Verge]]'', ''[[Bloomberg News]]'', ''[[CBS News]]'', the ''[[New York Post]]'', [[CNET]], [[GeekWire]], and [[Channel Futures]] covered both his ascension to the CEO role in 2019–2020 and his planned departure in 2025, reflecting the significance of the position within the U.S. telecommunications industry.<ref name="wsj-ceo" /><ref name="verge-legere" /><ref name="bloomberg-ceo" /><ref name="cbs-legere" /><ref name="nypost-legere" /><ref name="cnet-ceo" /><ref name="geekwire-gopalan" /><ref name="channelfutures">{{cite news |date=2025-09-22 |title=Meet the New T-Mobile CEO: History, Salary, More |url=https://www.channelfutures.com/people-on-the-move/meet-the-new-t-mobile-ceo-history-salary-more |work=Channel Futures |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


== Legacy ==
== Legacy ==


Sievert's tenure at T-Mobile, spanning from his arrival as CMO in 2012 through his departure as CEO in 2025, encompassed one of the most significant transformations in the American telecommunications industry. When he joined the company, T-Mobile was the fourth-largest wireless carrier in the United States, behind AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint. By the time he stepped down as CEO, T-Mobile had absorbed Sprint and established itself as one of the three major carriers, with a customer base and network footprint that rivaled its larger competitors.
Sievert's tenure at T-Mobile, spanning more than 13 years from his arrival as CMO in 2012 through his departure as CEO in 2025, encompassed one of the most transformative periods in the history of the U.S. wireless industry. He was part of the leadership team that executed the Un-carrier strategy under John Legere, fundamentally altering competitive dynamics in the American wireless market by eliminating practices such as two-year service contracts and introducing unlimited data plans.


The T-Mobile–Sprint merger, which closed on Sievert's first day as CEO, was one of the largest telecommunications mergers in American history. The integration of two major wireless carriers—each with tens of millions of subscribers, separate network infrastructures, and distinct corporate cultures—was a complex undertaking that defined Sievert's time as chief executive. The successful completion of this integration, including the shutdown of Sprint's legacy network and the migration of its customers to T-Mobile's systems, was a central accomplishment of his tenure.
As CEO, Sievert's most consequential undertaking was the integration of Sprint Corporation into T-Mobile following the completion of their merger on April 1, 2020.<ref name="nyt-merger" /> The combination of the two companies required the consolidation of two separate wireless networks—including the decommissioning of Sprint's [[CDMA]] network—the migration of tens of millions of Sprint customers, and the unification of retail operations, customer service systems, and corporate cultures. The mid-band [[spectrum]] assets acquired through the Sprint merger provided the foundation for T-Mobile's 5G network deployment, which the company used to establish an early lead in 5G coverage among U.S. carriers.


Sievert's path from CMO to COO to president to CEO at a single company over the course of eight years illustrated a model of internal executive development and succession planning. His promotion pattern reflected T-Mobile's approach of developing its leadership pipeline from within the organization during a period of strategic continuity.
Under Sievert, T-Mobile also expanded beyond its traditional wireless business into new markets, most notably fixed wireless broadband, positioning the company as an alternative to incumbent internet service providers. This diversification of T-Mobile's revenue streams represented a strategic evolution of the company beyond its roots as a mobile-only carrier.


The handoff to Srini Gopalan in 2025 marked the beginning of a new chapter for T-Mobile, with the company's press materials emphasizing a "digital-first transformation" as the next phase of the company's evolution.<ref name="businesswire-successor" /> Sievert's continued involvement as vice chairman suggested an orderly transition designed to maintain continuity as the company moved into its next strategic era.
When T-Mobile announced Sievert's departure, the company characterized the moment as the beginning of a new chapter, with incoming CEO Srini Gopalan tasked with leading "T-Mobile's next era of growth and digital-first transformation."<ref name="bwire" /> Sievert's transition to vice chairman suggested a continued, if reduced, connection to the company he had helped reshape over more than a decade.<ref name="bwire" />


== References ==
== References ==
<references />
<references />


[[Category:Business executives]]
[[Category:American people]]
[[Category:1969 births]]
[[Category:1969 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American business executives]]
[[Category:American chief executives]]
[[Category:American chief marketing officers]]
[[Category:American chief operating officers]]
[[Category:T-Mobile US]]
[[Category:People from Canton, Ohio]]
[[Category:People from Canton, Ohio]]
[[Category:University of Pennsylvania alumni]]
[[Category:University of Pennsylvania alumni]]
[[Category:T-Mobile US]]
[[Category:American chief executives]]
[[Category:American chief marketing officers]]
[[Category:Microsoft people]]
[[Category:Microsoft people]]
[[Category:Starbucks people]]
[[Category:Starbucks people]]
[[Category:Business executives]]
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[[Category:Telecommunications executives]]
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Latest revision as of 06:13, 24 February 2026



Mike Sievert
Sievert in 2021
Mike Sievert
BornTemplate:Birth year and age
BirthplaceCanton, Ohio, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationBusiness executive
TitleVice Chairman of T-Mobile US (from November 2025); formerly CEO (2020–2025)
EmployerT-Mobile US
Known forLeading T-Mobile US as CEO through the Sprint merger integration and subsequent growth period
EducationUniversity of Pennsylvania (BA)

Michael Sievert (born 1969) is an American business executive who served as the chief executive officer (CEO) of T-Mobile US from April 2020 to October 2025. A native of Canton, Ohio, Sievert rose through the ranks of the technology and telecommunications industries over a career spanning more than three decades, holding leadership positions at Microsoft, AT&T Wireless, and several technology startups before joining T-Mobile in 2012 as its chief marketing officer.[1] He ascended through the company as chief operating officer and then president before being named CEO in succession to John Legere, assuming the role on April 1, 2020—the same day T-Mobile completed its landmark merger with Sprint Corporation.[2] During his five-and-a-half-year tenure as CEO, Sievert oversaw the integration of Sprint's network and customer base into T-Mobile, expanded the company's 5G footprint, and led the carrier's push into new business lines including broadband internet. In September 2025, T-Mobile announced that Sievert would step down as CEO effective November 1, 2025, to be succeeded by COO Srini Gopalan, with Sievert transitioning to the role of vice chairman.[3]

Early Life

Mike Sievert was born in 1969 and grew up in Canton, Ohio, a mid-sized city in northeastern Ohio's Stark County.[1] Canton, known historically as the home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, provided a Midwestern upbringing for Sievert. Details about his family background and childhood remain largely private, though his Canton roots were highlighted in local media coverage when he was named as T-Mobile's next CEO in late 2019.[1]

Sievert left Ohio to pursue higher education on the East Coast, enrolling at the University of Pennsylvania, one of the Ivy League institutions located in Philadelphia. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the university.[1] The University of Pennsylvania's rigorous academic environment, which includes the Wharton School of business among its undergraduate programs, provided a foundation for Sievert's subsequent career in technology marketing and business leadership. Specific details regarding his major field of study or extracurricular activities at Penn have not been widely reported.

After completing his undergraduate education, Sievert entered the technology sector, beginning a career trajectory that would take him through some of the most prominent companies in the American technology and telecommunications landscape during a period of rapid growth and transformation in both industries.

Education

Sievert attended the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree.[1] The University of Pennsylvania, founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1740, is one of eight Ivy League universities and has long been recognized for its programs in business, communications, and the liberal arts. Sievert's educational background at Penn preceded his entry into the technology industry in the early 1990s, a period that coincided with the rise of personal computing and the early commercialization of the internet.

Career

Early Career and Microsoft

Before joining T-Mobile, Sievert built a career in the technology and telecommunications sectors that spanned approximately two decades. He held positions at AT&T Wireless before moving to Microsoft, where he served in a management role related to the company's Windows operating system division. In 2005, Microsoft hired Sievert from AT&T Wireless to help manage aspects of its Windows business.[4] This move came during a significant period for Microsoft, as the company was developing what would eventually become Windows Vista (codenamed "Longhorn"), a major and complex update to its flagship operating system.[5]

Sievert's experience at both AT&T Wireless and Microsoft exposed him to the intersection of telecommunications, consumer technology, and large-scale enterprise operations—skill sets that would prove relevant to his later roles in the wireless carrier industry.

Startup and Venture Experience

In addition to his work at major corporations, Sievert was involved in the startup ecosystem. He was associated with a technology startup that was acquired by Lenovo, the Chinese multinational technology company.[6] This experience in the entrepreneurial side of the technology industry added a different dimension to Sievert's resume, complementing his corporate background with exposure to the faster-paced, more agile dynamics of smaller companies.

T-Mobile: Chief Marketing Officer (2012–2015)

Sievert joined T-Mobile US in 2012 as the company's chief marketing officer (CMO), a critical hire as the carrier was preparing for a new strategic direction.[7] His arrival came shortly before John Legere took over as CEO in September 2012, and the two executives would go on to work closely together in reshaping T-Mobile's brand identity and competitive positioning.

Under Legere's leadership, T-Mobile launched what it called its "Un-carrier" strategy—a series of consumer-friendly moves designed to disrupt traditional wireless industry practices such as long-term contracts, overage fees, and restrictive data plans. As CMO, Sievert played a central role in shaping and communicating this strategy to consumers and the market. His background in technology marketing, combined with experience at both large corporations and startups, positioned him to help translate T-Mobile's operational changes into compelling consumer messaging.[8]

The Un-carrier strategy proved effective in driving subscriber growth and repositioning T-Mobile from the fourth-largest U.S. wireless carrier into a more formidable competitor to AT&T and Verizon. Sievert's marketing leadership during this transformative period was later cited as a key step in his path to the CEO role.[8]

Chief Operating Officer (2015–2018)

In February 2015, T-Mobile promoted Sievert from CMO to chief operating officer (COO), a significant elevation that expanded his responsibilities beyond marketing to encompass broader operational oversight of the company.[9][10] As COO, Sievert was responsible for the day-to-day operations of T-Mobile's business, overseeing areas including marketing, sales, customer experience, and products.

The promotion to COO positioned Sievert as one of the most senior executives at T-Mobile, second in prominence to Legere. During this period, T-Mobile continued to gain subscribers at a rapid pace, chipping away at the market share of larger rivals. The Un-carrier strategy continued to evolve with new consumer offers and operational initiatives, many of which fell under Sievert's expanded purview as COO.

President of T-Mobile (2018–2020)

In September 2018, T-Mobile promoted Sievert again, this time to the position of president, further solidifying his role as Legere's primary lieutenant and the company's second-in-command.[11][12] The promotion came during a period of intense activity for T-Mobile, as the company was in the midst of seeking regulatory approval for its proposed merger with Sprint Corporation, which had been announced in April 2018.

As president, Sievert took on an even greater share of operational and strategic responsibility, working alongside Legere to navigate the complex regulatory and political landscape surrounding the Sprint merger. The proposed combination of the third- and fourth-largest U.S. wireless carriers faced scrutiny from the Federal Communications Commission, the Department of Justice, and a coalition of state attorneys general who filed a lawsuit to block the deal.

CEO of T-Mobile (2020–2025)

In November 2019, T-Mobile announced that John Legere would step down as CEO and that Sievert would succeed him, with the transition originally planned for May 2020.[13][14][15][16] The announcement was also reported by Bloomberg News, which noted the significance of the leadership transition at a pivotal moment for the company.[17]

The transition was accelerated by approximately one month. Sievert officially assumed the CEO role on April 1, 2020, the same day T-Mobile completed its $26 billion merger with Sprint Corporation.[2] The simultaneous leadership change and merger closing represented one of the most consequential days in the history of the U.S. wireless industry, creating a combined company with more than 100 million customers.

Sievert's early tenure as CEO was shaped by two enormous challenges: integrating Sprint's network, employees, and customers into T-Mobile, and navigating the operational disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which began affecting the United States in earnest in March 2020, just days before he assumed the top role. The pandemic forced rapid adaptation of T-Mobile's retail operations and customer service, while the Sprint integration required the technical consolidation of two separate wireless networks and the migration of millions of Sprint customers to T-Mobile's systems.

In June 2020, Sievert publicly committed to making significant changes within T-Mobile to increase diversity and inclusion within the company, responding to broader societal conversations about racial equity in the United States.[18]

Under Sievert's leadership, T-Mobile pursued an aggressive 5G network buildout strategy, leveraging the mid-band spectrum acquired through the Sprint merger to deploy a nationwide 5G network. The company also expanded into the home broadband market with its T-Mobile Home Internet service, using its 5G and 4G LTE networks to offer fixed wireless internet as an alternative to traditional cable and fiber providers.

Throughout his CEO tenure, Sievert maintained a lower public profile than his predecessor Legere, who had become known for his brash personal brand on social media and at industry events. Sievert adopted a more measured leadership style while continuing to advance the Un-carrier positioning that had defined T-Mobile's competitive approach.

CEO Transition and Vice Chairmanship (2025)

In June 2025, reports emerged in the German newspaper Handelsblatt suggesting that Sievert might step down from the CEO role before the end of his contract.[19] On September 22, 2025, T-Mobile officially announced that Sievert would step down as CEO effective November 1, 2025, and would be succeeded by Srini Gopalan, the company's chief operating officer who had previously served as a senior executive at T-Mobile's parent company, Deutsche Telekom.[3][20][21]

The announcement described Sievert as transitioning to the role of vice chairman of T-Mobile, a position that would allow him to continue to be involved with the company in an advisory capacity.[3] The company characterized the transition as part of a planned succession, with Gopalan described as "uniquely positioned to lead T-Mobile's next era of growth and digital-first transformation."[3]

Sievert's tenure as CEO thus spanned from April 1, 2020, to October 31, 2025—approximately five years and seven months during which he led the company through the Sprint integration, a global pandemic, and a major network transformation.[22]

Personal Life

Sievert was born and raised in Canton, Ohio.[1] He has maintained a relatively private personal life compared to some of his peers in the telecommunications industry. His hometown roots in Canton were a subject of local media interest when he was named as T-Mobile's next CEO in November 2019, with the Canton Repository running a feature identifying him as a Canton native.[1]

In addition to his role at T-Mobile, Sievert has served on the board of directors of Starbucks, the global coffeehouse chain headquartered in Seattle.[23] He also served on the board of Shaw Communications, the Canadian telecommunications company, contributing to its wireless strategy.[24]

Sievert has been based in the Seattle metropolitan area during his tenure at T-Mobile, which is headquartered in Bellevue, Washington.[25]

Recognition

Sievert's career trajectory from CMO to CEO of a major U.S. wireless carrier has been noted as an example of the marketing-to-CEO pipeline in corporate America. Ad Age profiled the path from CMO to CEO that Sievert followed, highlighting how his marketing background informed his approach to leading T-Mobile.[8]

He has been included in lists of notable telecommunications CEOs. Mobile Magazine listed Sievert among the top telecom CEOs worldwide, citing T-Mobile's growth and competitive positioning under his leadership.[26]

The leadership transition at T-Mobile received extensive coverage in technology, business, and telecommunications media. News outlets including The Wall Street Journal, The Verge, Bloomberg News, CBS News, the New York Post, CNET, GeekWire, and Channel Futures covered both his ascension to the CEO role in 2019–2020 and his planned departure in 2025, reflecting the significance of the position within the U.S. telecommunications industry.[13][14][17][15][16][20][22][27]

Legacy

Sievert's tenure at T-Mobile, spanning more than 13 years from his arrival as CMO in 2012 through his departure as CEO in 2025, encompassed one of the most transformative periods in the history of the U.S. wireless industry. He was part of the leadership team that executed the Un-carrier strategy under John Legere, fundamentally altering competitive dynamics in the American wireless market by eliminating practices such as two-year service contracts and introducing unlimited data plans.

As CEO, Sievert's most consequential undertaking was the integration of Sprint Corporation into T-Mobile following the completion of their merger on April 1, 2020.[2] The combination of the two companies required the consolidation of two separate wireless networks—including the decommissioning of Sprint's CDMA network—the migration of tens of millions of Sprint customers, and the unification of retail operations, customer service systems, and corporate cultures. The mid-band spectrum assets acquired through the Sprint merger provided the foundation for T-Mobile's 5G network deployment, which the company used to establish an early lead in 5G coverage among U.S. carriers.

Under Sievert, T-Mobile also expanded beyond its traditional wireless business into new markets, most notably fixed wireless broadband, positioning the company as an alternative to incumbent internet service providers. This diversification of T-Mobile's revenue streams represented a strategic evolution of the company beyond its roots as a mobile-only carrier.

When T-Mobile announced Sievert's departure, the company characterized the moment as the beginning of a new chapter, with incoming CEO Srini Gopalan tasked with leading "T-Mobile's next era of growth and digital-first transformation."[3] Sievert's transition to vice chairman suggested a continued, if reduced, connection to the company he had helped reshape over more than a decade.[3]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 "T-Mobile's next CEO Mike Sievert is Canton native".The Canton Repository.2019-11-29.https://www.cantonrep.com/news/20191129/t-mobilersquos-next-ceo-mike-sievert-is-canton-native.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "T-Mobile Closes Sprint Merger".The New York Times.2020-04-01.https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/01/business/media/tmobile-closes-sprint-merger.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 "Srini Gopalan to Succeed Mike Sievert as T-Mobile CEO on November 1, 2025".Business Wire.2025-09-22.https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250921456359/en/Srini-Gopalan-to-Succeed-Mike-Sievert-as-T-Mobile-CEO-on-November-1-2025.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  4. ↑ "Microsoft hires AT&T executive to manage Windows".Network World.https://www.networkworld.com/article/2318884/microsoft-hires-at-t-executive-to-manage-windows.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  5. ↑ "Microsoft Longhorn indigestion".The Register.2005-03-18.https://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/03/18/microsoft_longhorn_indigestion/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  6. ↑ "Lenovo buys mystery start-up company".Computerworld.https://www.computerworld.com/article/2530611/lenovo-buys-mystery-start-up-company.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  7. ↑ "T-Mobile Names Tech, Marketing Veteran CMO".Ad Age.https://adage.com/article/digital/t-mobile-names-tech-marketing-veteran-cmo/238398.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "From CMO to CEO: How Marketing Roused T-Mobile".Ad Age.https://adage.com/article/digital/cmo-ceo-roused-t-mobile/294513.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  9. ↑ "T-Mobile names Mike Sievert chief operating officer".GeekWire.2015-02-18.https://www.geekwire.com/2015/t-mobile-names-mike-sievert-chief-operating-officer/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  10. ↑ "T-Mobile promotes Mike Sievert to COO, Andrew Sherrard to marketing".Vox.2015-02-18.https://www.vox.com/2015/2/18/11559202/t-mobile-promotes-mike-sievert-to-coo-andrew-sherrard-to-marketing.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  11. ↑ "T-Mobile promotes Mike Sievert to president as Sprint acquisition process continues".GeekWire.2018-09-25.https://www.geekwire.com/2018/t-mobile-promotes-mike-sievert-president-sprint-acquisition-process-continues/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  12. ↑ "T-Mobile promotes Mike Sievert to president".Fierce Wireless.https://www.fiercewireless.com/wireless/t-mobile-promotes-mike-sievert-to-president.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "T-Mobile Executive Mike Sievert to Take Top Job in May".The Wall Street Journal.2019-11-18.https://www.wsj.com/articles/t-mobile-executive-mike-sievert-to-take-top-job-in-may-11574086352.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "T-Mobile's John Legere is leaving as CEO in 2020 and Mike Sievert will take over".The Verge.2019-11-18.https://www.theverge.com/2019/11/18/20970391/tmobile-john-legere-leaving-as-ceo-2020-mike-sievert.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "John Legere, T-Mobile CEO, stepping down and making way for Mike Sievert".CBS News.2019-11-18.https://www.cbsnews.com/news/john-legere-tmobile-ceo-stepping-down-and-making-way-for-mike-sievert/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "T-Mobile CEO John Legere is stepping down".New York Post.2019-11-18.https://nypost.com/2019/11/18/t-mobile-ceo-john-legere-is-stepping-down/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "T-Mobile Names Mike Sievert to Succeed John Legere as CEO".Bloomberg News.2019-11-18.https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-11-18/t-mobile-names-mike-sievert-to-succeed-john-legere-as-ceo.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  18. ↑ "T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert commits to significant changes to increase diversity".TmoNews.2020-06.https://www.tmonews.com/2020/06/t-mobile-ceo-mike-sievert-commits-significant-changes-increase-diversity/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  19. ↑ "Is T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert going to step down early?".Fierce Network.2025-06-09.https://www.fierce-network.com/wireless/report-mike-sievert-step-down-early-t-mobile-ceo.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "T-Mobile's Mike Sievert to Become Un-CEO: Srini Gopalan Takes Over Nov. 1".CNET.2025-09-22.https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/t-mobiles-mike-sievert-to-become-un-ceo-srini-gopalan-takes-over-nov-1/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  21. ↑ "T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert is stepping down".The Verge.2025-09-22.https://www.theverge.com/news/782429/t-mobile-ceo-mike-sievert-stepping-down-srini-gopalan.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "Who is T-Mobile's new CEO? Veteran telecom exec Srini Gopalan to succeed Mike Sievert in top role".GeekWire.2025-09-22.https://www.geekwire.com/2025/who-is-t-mobiles-new-ceo-veteran-telecom-exec-srini-gopalan-to-succeed-mike-sievert-in-top-role/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  23. ↑ "Starbucks Board of Directors".Starbucks.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  24. ↑ "Shaw adds to wireless focus, adding T-Mobile's Sievert to board".Seeking Alpha.https://seekingalpha.com/news/3305013-shaw-adds-to-wireless-focus-adding-t-mobiles-sievert-to-board.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  25. ↑ "T-Mobile COO Gopalan to Succeed Sievert as CEO".425 Business.2025-09-22.https://www.425business.com/news/t-mobile-srini-gopalan-new-ceo/article_f97ae8cd-118f-4646-a30d-9b2c8f80b2db.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  26. ↑ "Top 10 Telecom CEOs Worldwide: Mike Sievert, T-Mobile".Mobile Magazine.https://www.mobile-magazine.com/top10/top-10-telecom-ceos-worldwide/mike-sievert-t-mobile.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  27. ↑ "Meet the New T-Mobile CEO: History, Salary, More".Channel Futures.2025-09-22.https://www.channelfutures.com/people-on-the-move/meet-the-new-t-mobile-ceo-history-salary-more.Retrieved 2026-02-24.

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