Eric Watko
About Eric Watko
Eric Watko serves as the Vice President of Innovation Product Line Management at American Tower, a position he has held since 2019. With extensive experience in product management and strategy across various technology companies, he has contributed to significant projects, including the launch of new data center businesses and innovative connectivity solutions.
Work at American Tower
Eric Watko has served as Vice President of Innovation Product Line Management at American Tower since 2019. In this role, he has been responsible for creating and executing a roadmap and commercial strategy aimed at generating 25% new revenue from innovation businesses by 2027. His leadership has contributed to the development and launch of a new edge data center business across six new markets, enhancing American Tower's service offerings in the telecommunications sector.
Previous Experience at SES Networks
Prior to his current role, Watko held multiple positions at SES Networks. He served as Senior Vice President of Product Line Management from 2017 to 2018, and later as Executive Vice President of Product, Marketing & Strategy from 2018 to 2019. During his tenure, he focused on enhancing product offerings and strategic marketing initiatives within the Washington D.C. Metro Area.
Career at Cisco Systems
Watko spent 14 years at Cisco Systems, where he held various roles, including Senior Business & Development Manager and Engineering Program Manager. He was instrumental in launching a SaaS WiFi Offload network service and a Unified Data Analytics platform. Additionally, he played a key role in shaping the regional data center business strategy, which included overseeing three acquisitions valued at over $10 billion.
Education and Expertise
Eric Watko holds a Master of Science in Physics from North Carolina State University, which he attended from 1992 to 1995. He also earned a Bachelor of Applied Science in Physics from California State University-Dominguez Hills between 1989 and 1991. His educational background has provided him with a strong foundation in technical and analytical skills, which he has applied throughout his career in the telecommunications and technology sectors.
Strategic Initiatives and Innovations
Throughout his career, Watko has been involved in several strategic initiatives. He developed a strategy for an Evolved Packet Core network service that utilized hybrid cloud services, integrating both private and public cloud providers. He also defined and negotiated commercial terms for the deployment and operation of multiple end-to-end CBRS Private LTE networks, showcasing his expertise in connectivity solutions.