A tech company you can trust.
NorthState provides high-speed fiber internet, wall-to-wall Wi-Fi, voice, and Fiber TV services to residential and small business customers in NC as well as in VA, where we’re known as Lumos Networks.
But we are more than your average internet company. Our customers enjoy the fastest fiber speeds available built on a network they can truly count on – all backed by local, expert customer care teams. We know that fast, reliable internet is what you need to stay connected to the things that matter. And your connection is our commitment.
NorthState and Lumos Networks are a part of Segra, one of the largest independent fiber bandwidth companies in the U.S, headquartered in Charlotte, NC.
Leadership Team
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Diego B. Anderson
Senior Vice President and General Manager
Diego Anderson serves as Senior Vice President and General Manager for the Lumos Networks and NorthState business units, both divisions of Segra. Originally from South Carolina, Diego earned his B.S. in Electrical Engineering Technology from South Carolina State, a Masters in Administration from Central Michigan University, and a Masters in the Management of Information Technology from University of Virginia, McIntire School of Commerce. He has more than 25 years of telecom experience in various business management and executive leadership roles.
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Stephanie Houghtaling
Director of Customer Care
Stephanie Houghtaling leads the Care and Service Delivery teams for Lumos Networks and NorthState, both divisions of Segra. Stephanie brings a wealth of connectivity call center experience to the leadership team from her roles at Western Wireless and T-Mobile and, for the last 15 years, she has been instrumental in the success of the call center at NorthState. Stephanie calls the Piedmont Triad of NC home and holds a PMP certification, a B.A. from East Carolina University, and a master’s degree in Sociology from Georgia State University.
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David L. Smith
Vice President of Technical Operations and Planning
David Smith is Vice President of Technical Operations and Planning for Lumos Networks and NorthState. He leads network and field operations, engineering, outside plant, and project management teams. Originally from Covington, VA, David holds a B.S. in Information Systems Management from Bridgewater College, and a MBA from Averett University. He has more than 12 years of experience in Information Technology and Telecommunications and has held a variety of business management leadership roles.
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Karen Hoch
Director of Marketing
Karen Hoch serves as Director of Marketing for Segra’s Lumos Networks and NorthState brands. She has extensive experience as a marketing leader creating integrated programs to enhance brand loyalty and drive new business. Karen is a native of North Carolina and holds a B.S.B.A. in Business from Salem College.
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John Spilman
Senior Director, Product Management
John Spilman is Senior Director of Product Management and leads product lifecycle management and market analytics for Segra’s Lumos Networks and NorthState brand service offerings. John is originally from West Chester, PA and holds a B.A. in Economics from Randolph-Macon College. He has experience in various leadership roles within product development, operations, regulatory affairs, and finance successfully supporting the launch and management of new fiber-based services and applications.
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Heidi K. Padgett
Director of Sales
Heidi Padgett is Director of Sales, Community Services, and leads the organization in supporting new sales opportunities across residential and business segments throughout the Lumos Networks and NorthState service areas. Heidi is originally from Bedford, VA, and has more than 20 years of telecom industry experience in various customer support and sales leadership roles.
Our History
NorthState was initially established as High Point Telephone Exchange by local businessmen in 1895. In 1899, J.F. Hayden, an inventor and visionary who had earlier pioneered the first telephone system in neighboring Thomasville, purchased the High Point company and rapidly began expanding both systems.
In 1905, Hayden incorporated the High Point-based company and changed the name to North State Telephone Company. In 1919, Hayden purchased High Point’s competing Southern Bell system, which had been operating since 1907. In 1920, NorthState earned broad recognition when it became the first telephone company in the state to install the automatic-dial system.
In 1929, the company purchased the Randleman telephone system. The company continued its pattern of innovation and growth when the Thomasville company was merged into NorthState in 1935.
In 2020, NorthState was acquired by Segra. It continues to build upon a full range of fiber-based personal, home and small business products and services, including broadband Internet, voice services, digital television services, and more. NorthState, a Segra company, serves a broad area of the Piedmont Triad Region of North Carolina, including the communities of High Point, Thomasville, Archdale, Randleman, Jamestown, Trinity, Greensboro and Kernersville.
