Charter CFO’s move to Blackstone-Google AI venture signals where finance talent is flowing

Jessica Fischer, the CFO of Charter Communications, has left the company to join a Blackstone- and Google-backed venture focused on AI infrastructure. This move highlights where finance talent is flowing in the current corporate landscape. Fischer, who has worked at Charter for nearly a decade, will become the CFO of the venture, which is backed by an initial $5 billion investment from Blackstone.

The company aims to build 500 megawatts of computing capacity by 2027 and plans to expand further. Google will provide AI chips and related technology, while Benjamin Treynor Sloss, a longtime Google infrastructure executive, will serve as CEO. Fischer will officially leave Charter on October 15, and Kevin Howard, the company's EVP, chief accounting officer, and controller, has been appointed interim CFO.

Fischer, 41, joined Charter as corporate treasurer in 2017 and later became EVP of finance and CFO in 2021. She previously worked at EY's national tax department. Her departure comes as Charter faces challenges with broadband subscriber losses due to increased competition. Fischer's move reflects the growing demand for AI infrastructure and the need for finance chiefs with experience managing large investment programs to drive the industry's growth.