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

Good morning.

After nearly a decade helping steer Charter Communications’ cable and broadband business, CFO Jessica Fischer is leaving for a Blackstone- and Google-backed venture investing billions to meet soaring demand for AI computing capacity.

The move puts an experienced Fortune 500 finance chief at the center of one of corporate America’s biggest investment booms.

It also reflects how the AI infrastructure buildout is pulling capital and senior talent from established industries as companies race to add computing capacity.

“I’m embarking on an exciting new opportunity in the AI infrastructure space, joining the newly formed joint venture between Blackstone and Google in October,” Fischer wrote on LinkedIn Monday.

A Blackstone spokesperson confirmed to CFO Daily that Fischer will become CFO of the venture.

Blackstone and Google announced the venture in May, with plans to build a U.S.-based company providing computing infrastructure for AI models and applications.

Blackstone is committing an initial $5 billion in equity.

The company is targeting 500 megawatts of capacity by 2027 and plans to expand substantially beyond that.

Google will provide its AI chips and related technology, while longtime Google infrastructure executive Benjamin Treynor Sloss will serve as CEO.

Fischer will step down from Charter on Oct.

15.

Kevin Howard, a Charter veteran and its EVP, chief accounting officer, and controller, was appointed interim CFO on Monday.

Charter will search for a permanent finance chief.