Investment firm purchases DQE Communications

GI Partners, a private investment firm, recently completed its purchase of Pittsburgh-based DQE Communications, a regional provider of high-speed, data networking for businesses and carriers.

The purchase will allow DQE to expand its fiber network operations as the demand for high-capacity, carrier-class bandwidth services increases in the carrier, education, enterprise, government, municipal, and wireless sectors.

In addition, Michael T. Sicoli was appointed CEO, effective immediately.

“Mike is a seasoned and accomplished leader in the digital infrastructure sector,” Brendan Scollans, GI Data Infrastructure managing director and co-head, said. “His proven track record of driving transformational growth, scaling operations, and building a culture of excellence is a perfect fit for DQE’s next stage of growth. We look forward to working with him and the entire DQE team.”

Sicoli previously served as Internap president and CEO, GTT Communications CFO, and in various leadership roles including Sidera Networks CEO, RCN Corp. CFO, and Nextel Communications vice president and assistant treasurer.

DQE formed in 1997 as a subsidiary of Duquesne Light Holdings. It offers a full suite of infrastructure-oriented communication services.

GI Partners employs 150 employees in San Francisco, New York, Dallas, Chicago, Greenwich, Scottsdale, and London. It has raised more than $43 billion in capital and invests on behalf of investors.