John (Jack) F. Waters

One of the original key contributors who designed and built MCI's initial Internet service, Waters has served as Chief Technology Officer for Level 3 Communications, Inc., a Denver-based provider of a range of integrated communications services. He has had responsibility for Information Technology, Business Process Innovation, Network Architecture and Engineering, and Global Security. He has also been responsible for assuring that the company's technology development in network, systems, processes, or security leveraged innovative solutions that delivered efficiency and customer satisfaction, and has been responsible for ongoing integration planning and integration execution oversight.

Waters joined Level 3 in 1997, and under his leadership Level 3 achieved numerous milestones in Internet Protocol (IP) communications, including Softswitch networking, Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS), and advanced optical networking. He also served as President of Voice Technologies and was responsible for ensuring the technical component of Level 3's Voice strategy tied into its network architecture, linked with external networks, and interfaced with a wide range of databases and applications. In April of 2004, Level 3 acquired the wholesale dial access business of ICG Communications, Inc., providing dial-up Internet access to America Online, Earthlink, MSN, United Online, and other Internet service providers, and Waters was responsible for developing the company's overall technology strategy.

Before joining Level 3, he served as an executive staff member for MCI Communications, Inc. with responsibility for network architecture, design, and implementation. In that role, he was also an original member of the team responsible for InternetMCI, the company's initial Internet service. Prior to MCI, Waters worked as Director of Engineering and Operations for SURAnet, the Southeastern University Research and Academic Network, the nation's largest regional network, funded by the National Science Foundation.

He earned his B.S.E.E. Degree in Electrical Engineering from West Virginia University in 1987.