Joel Neeb has been named 8×8‘s new Chief Transformation and Business Operations Officer to oversee the next stage of the company’s CX revolution and business growth.
Reporting directly to 8×8 CEO Samuel Wilson, Neeb will oversee 8×8’s next phase of customer experience transformation and strategic initiatives. The business highlights Neeb’s remit to align these efforts with operational outcomes, aspiring to drive organisational excellence and cultivating a culture of accountability and innovation.
Neeb said:
In my experience helping companies navigate transformations, I’m convinced that we’re entering an era where unified, intelligent communications will be the key to business success. 8×8’s integrated platform is uniquely positioned to help organizations uncover the genuine voice of their workforce, their mission, and their customers, and I’m thrilled to join the team as we lead this revolution in business communications and customer experience.”
8×8 suggests Neeb brings a unique blend of leadership experience from both the SaaS industry and high-stakes military operations. As Vice President of Execution and Transformation at VMware, he led a cultural and operational overhaul for the 40,000-employee organisation while driving the launch of VMware’s AI roadmap and strategy.
Previously, as CEO of Afterburner, Inc., Neeb guided a team of over 100 elite professionals—including former fighter pilots, Navy SEALs, and Army Rangers—in delivering performance breakthroughs for global organisations. 8×8 emphasises that his expertise in fostering innovation and precision execution stood out in this role.
8×8 adds that Neeb’s distinguished military career as a United States Air Force F-15 mission commander further underscores his leadership pedigree. He led 300 senior combat pilots and managed a $150 million annual flight program, demonstrating mastery of strategic planning, team coordination, and mission-critical decision-making.
“We have a very exciting opportunity right now to accelerate 8×8’s transformation plan and demonstrate increased impact for customers and partners, an opportunity that is dependent on a highly focused and dedicated leadership team aligned to our strategic initiatives,” said Wilson.
“Joel has a remarkable career leading high-performance teams through strategic and cultural transformations, creating operational excellence and driving growth. We are excited to add his unique blend of strategic vision and hands-on execution to our leadership team as we enter the next phase of our growth.”
Neeb’s appointment follows 8×8’s recent unveiling of the next evolution of its brand, which the company conveys as a significant milestone in its shift toward a more customer-centric approach. This transition marks a strategic pivot, with 8×8 placing greater emphasis on CCaaS and CX solutions over UC.
What Was 8×8 Up To In 2024?
While 8×8 has pivoted more towards CX and CPaaS in recent years, the company still unveiled UC-oriented solutions last year.
For example, in April, 8×8 launched Operator Connect for Microsoft Teams for reliable and streamlined enterprise telephony.
8×8 Operator Connect for Microsoft Teams is a dedicated solution that integrates native Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) calling directly into Microsoft Teams through the Operator Connect program. Leveraging 8×8’s renowned Global Reach network, the solution aims to provide reliable calling services, streamlined deployment, and simplified management designed to enhance the efficiency of Teams Phone admins.
Meanwhile, in November’s Q2 2025 earnings call, 8×8 reported that its ecosystem now includes 500,000 Microsoft Teams users.
The company highlighted significant achievements during the quarter, including securing million-dollar deals, joining the Microsoft Operator Connect program, and related customer wins. It also met the high end of its guidance with $181 million in total revenue, though slightly below the $185 million recorded in Q2 FY 2024.
