After more than two decades of innovation, expansion, and leadership, Millennium founder James Kyle has announced a transition in company leadership. Beginning June 15, 2026, Christian Wiltrout will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer at Millennium.

Kyle established Millennium in 2004 with the goal of streamlining and speeding up the planning, sourcing, and deployment of broadband infrastructure. Over the past 23 years, he and the Millennium team have transformed the company into a leading platform for broadband network developers and operators throughout North America. The company delivers integrated engineering, supply chain management, equipment financing, and funding services designed to simplify complex infrastructure projects by reducing the need for multiple service providers.

Although stepping down as CEO, Kyle will remain actively involved as an Executive Board Member, where he will continue contributing his industry expertise, relationships, and strategic insight to support Millennium’s continued growth.

“Christian brings the leadership, expertise, and vision needed to guide Millennium into its next phase,” said Kyle. “He understands the importance of people and relationships to our success, and I’m confident he is the right leader for the future of the business. I’m excited to continue supporting Christian and the entire team as Millennium enters this new stage of growth.”

Wiltrout joins Millennium with more than 25 years of experience across industrial and infrastructure manufacturing and distribution sectors. Most recently, he served as Global Chief Operating Officer at SureWerx, a global manufacturer of safety products. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for delivering strong business growth, operational improvements, and high-performing teams.

“I’m honored and excited to join Millennium as CEO,” said Wiltrout. “The company has built an outstanding reputation, strong client partnerships, and a unique platform positioned for tremendous future growth. James and the team have created something truly remarkable, and I look forward to working closely with employees and clients to build on that success and drive Millennium forward.”

Celebrating Lineworkers on April 18
On April 18, Duke Energy honors National Lineworker Appreciation Day—a dedicated time to recognize the dedication, hard work, and essential role of lineworkers in delivering dependable and safe electricity to communities.

Why It’s Important:
Lineworkers play a vital role in public safety and community well-being. Often among the first to respond after severe weather, they face tough environments—working at great heights and in extreme conditions—to restore power and keep essential services running. Their contributions extend beyond emergencies; they are essential in expanding and maintaining the electrical grid that supports growing populations and businesses in Duke Energy’s service territories across the Carolinas, Florida, and the Midwest.

As towns and cities grow, the demand for electricity infrastructure increases. Lineworkers help meet that demand by installing and upgrading power lines, transformers, and other critical equipment, ensuring the grid can support new developments and business expansions.

A Noteworthy Year:
The impact of Hurricane Helene on September 26, 2024, was one of the most significant in Duke Energy’s history. Despite many lineworkers being personally affected, they helped restore power to over 3.1 million customers across the Carolinas, Florida, and the Midwest.
Key Figures from the Hurricane Helene Response:

A Growing Field:
As Duke Energy continues to upgrade and modernize the power grid, the need for skilled lineworkers is on the rise. The company actively partners with 22 community colleges across its service areas to recruit and train the next generation of lineworkers.

Voices from the Field: