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Lumen hires new exec to lead its product strategy

Lumen Technologies, the Denver-based company formerly known as CenturyLink, has a new chief technology and product officer.

The company announced last week that it hired Jim Fowler for the role. He will begin Jan. 5.

Fowler will take over the position from Dave Ward, who is leaving to become the president and chief architect of Salesforce. Ward will stay with Lumen until Jan. 23 for the transition.

The incoming chief technology and product officer will be responsible for the company’s global technology and product strategy, according to Lumen, such as continuing the progress of building upon the company’s network and portfolio of products.

“Lumen has a unique opportunity to strengthen its position as the trusted network for AI,” Fowler said in a press release. “I’ve seen firsthand as a board member and a customer the work this team has done to design a next-generation roadmap for the network and products.”

Fowler brings more than 30 years of experience in the technology industry. He has been on the company’s board of directors since 2023 and stepped down immediately for the new role, Lumen said. He previously worked as the executive vice president and chief technology officer for Nationwide Insurance. Before that, he worked at General Electric for nearly two decades in several leadership positions.

He began his career in 1993 at AT&T.

“Jim is uniquely suited to lead our technology and product teams as we unlock the value of Dave’s contributions, solidifying our transformation progress and returning Lumen to revenue growth,” said Kate Johnson, CEO of Lumen, in the announcement.

BOK Financial names new CEO for its Colorado office

Regional bank BOK Financial has a new chief executive for its Colorado division.

The Tulsa, Okla.-based financial institution announced Michael Katz as the new Colorado market CEO. Katz joined the company in 2024 as a senior advisor based in Denver.

He has more than 35 years of experience in financial services, commercial banking, credit administration and treasury management. He also serves on the board of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Corp. and has served on the boards of United Way, Junior Achievement, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Colorado Concern and the Denver Leadership Foundation.

BOK Financial has 20 locations in Colorado, according to the company’s website. The state is the bank’s third-largest market following Oklahoma and Texas.

“Mike brings a rare combination of deep industry expertise and a collaborative leadership style,” said David Stratton, regional banking executive for BOK Financial, in a press release. “He’s the perfect leader to help BOK Financial serve the needs of our customers in Colorado and make a positive impact on the communities we serve.”

New restaurant Heretík to open next year

A brand new restaurant from a James Beard semifinalist chef is coming to Denver next year.

Heretík by Chef Theo Adley is set to open in winter 2026. It’s the second restaurant from the acclaimed chef following his debut of Marigold in Lyons.

The new restaurant’s menu will be inspired by the cuisines of Northeast Spain and Southern France. It will feature curated small plates of seafood and rotisserie cooking. Heretík plans to feature a rotation of American-raised poultry for dishes such as the French ‘cou-nou’ chicken, guinea fowl, duck and quail.

A raw bar at the restaurant will display seasonal seafood and conservas, tinned seafood specialities popular in Spain. The wine menu will feature bottles from producers from the Pays Basque and Côte d’Argent regions.

Some selections of the menu include Plateau Heretík (oyster, clams, shrimp, whelks, dungeness crab, ceviche, urchins), Spanish-style tortilla with spider crab, scallops with bearnaise and seaweeds and monkfish au poivre with grape leaf.