# Ryan Asdourian

> Ryan Asdourian is Lumen Technologies' EVP and Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer, a Seattle-based technology executive whose career runs from computer science and product demonstrations to Microsoft leadership and the repositioning of a telecom company for the AI era. His unusual apprenticeship included four years performing as the University of Florida's Albert and eight seasons beginning in 2006 with the Seattle Seahawks' Blitz program - experience that turned attention, timing and audience empathy into practical management tools.

- **Role:** EVP & Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer at Lumen Technologies
- **Organizations:** Lumen Technologies, Microsoft, Seattle Seahawks, University of Florida
- **Education:** Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, University of Florida
- **Known for:** Built a 20-year Microsoft career spanning engineering, product management, marketing, business development and senior go-to-market leadership., Served as Technical Advisor to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella., Led business development and marketing for Microsoft Surface in the United States.

## Career timeline

- **1999-2003** — Studied computer science at the University of Florida and performed as Albert, the university's mascot.
- **2004** — Moved to the Seattle area after graduation and began working at Microsoft in an engineering role.
- **2006** — Joined the Seattle Seahawks' Blitz mascot program after contacting the team.
- **2013** — Worked in business management on Microsoft's Developer and Platform Evangelism team and appeared in high-profile product demonstrations.
- **2014** — Concluded eight seasons performing as Blitz, according to later public biographies.
- **2016** — Served as Windows & Devices Business Group Lead in the United Kingdom.
- **Before 2024** — Held Microsoft leadership roles including Technical Advisor to CEO Satya Nadella, US Surface business leadership, and leadership of the Americas Security Business Group.
- **2024** — Joined Lumen Technologies as EVP and Chief Marketing Officer after 20 years at Microsoft.
- **2025** — Expanded his remit to strategy and marketing and presented Lumen's technology-infrastructure positioning at the company's Industry Analyst Forum.
- **2026** — Presented 'The Lumen Difference' at Lumen Investor Day in New York.

## Achievements

- Built a 20-year Microsoft career spanning engineering, product management, marketing, business development and senior go-to-market leadership.
- Served as Technical Advisor to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.
- Led business development and marketing for Microsoft Surface in the United States.
- Oversaw Microsoft's Security business group across North and South America, including P&L, sales enablement and marketing responsibilities.
- Performed as the University of Florida's Albert mascot from 1999 to 2003 and joined the Seattle Seahawks' Blitz program in 2006.
- Became Lumen Technologies' EVP and Chief Marketing Officer in 2024 and later added strategy to his remit.

## Latest updates

- **2026-07** — Commented on Lumen's inclusion in TIME's America's Best Companies 2026 and U.S. News & World Report's 2026-2027 Best Companies to Work For list, connecting the recognition to culture and Lumen's AI-era transformation.
- **2026-02** — Presented 'The Lumen Difference' at Lumen Investor Day 2026 in New York.
- **2025-09** — Appeared in Fierce Network's Carrier 2.0 interview to discuss AI-ready infrastructure, culture, partnerships and cognitive networks.
- **2025-09** — Presented on elevating the Lumen brand at the company's Industry Analyst Forum.

## Links

- Website: https://www.lumen.com/en-us/news/press-resources/ryan-asdourian.html
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rasdo

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/ryan-asdourian
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-17