Phil Koblence and Eli Sher appointed to chair and vice chair, with Rene Fichtmueller, Ilissa Miller, Robert Muller, John Osmon and Art Valhuerdi active Board members of OIX

CLAYMONT, DE – September 1, 2026 – The OIX Association, a global, volunteer-driven organization dedicated to creating fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory standards and best practices for digital infrastructure deployments, announces today that Chris Grundemann has stepped down from his role as Chair of the OIX Board of Directors, marking the conclusion of a period of leadership that helped position the organization for its next chapter.

During Chris’ span as Chair of the organization, he helped create the foundation for a renewed OIX by supporting the organization as it expanded its thinking beyond its initial traditional certification work and toward new standards, frameworks, partnerships, educational initiatives, and industry collaboration. That evolution is now reflected in work underway across OIX, including the Digital Infrastructure Framework Committee (DIFC), deeper engagement with industry organizations such as the Open Compute Project (OCP), and exploration of emerging areas of digital infrastructure where open, neutral standards can play an important role.

Throughout his tenure, Chris brought a collaborative, thoughtful approach to OIX’s leadership and remained focused on what would best serve the organization’s mission and the broader digital infrastructure community. His leadership was particularly important as OIX worked to reassess its role within a rapidly evolving industry, sharpen its mission, and identify new opportunities to create meaningful value for the community.

“Chris has given a tremendous amount of thought, effort, and support to OIX, both as a Board member and as Chair,” said Phil Koblence, OIX Chair. “Throughout his leadership, Chris consistently approached decisions by asking what was best for the organization. He helped set OIX on a course for the future, and the work happening today is stronger because of the foundation he helped establish.”

During its August meeting, the OIX Board formally recognized Chris for his contributions as Chair, Board member, and longtime participant in the broader community, acknowledging the role he has played in positioning OIX for continued growth and impact.

“Chris was a catalyst in helping OIX shift its thinking, evolve its mission, and open the door to new partnerships and opportunities,” said Ilissa Miller, OIX Board Member. “His leadership helped us look differently at where OIX can create value for the industry, and that influence will continue to be reflected in the work ahead.”

Chris’s departure comes as OIX enters a period of renewed activity focused on strengthening its relevance within the evolving digital infrastructure landscape. The organization will continue advancing initiatives around standards and certification, knowledge and education, industry collaboration, and emerging infrastructure needs while building on the direction established during Chris’s tenure.

OIX extends its sincere appreciation to Chris for his leadership, service, and commitment to the organization and the broader community.

To learn more and to support OIX and the Digital Infrastructure Framework, visit www.oix.org.

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About OIX Association 

OIX, formerly Open-IX, is a self-regulated, non-profit organization focused on advancing global internet interconnection through standardized, educational, and resilient infrastructure practices. Celebrating its ten-year anniversary, OIX proudly reflects on a decade of significant achievements in enhancing internet peering and interconnection, ensuring efficient global connectivity for diverse stakeholders. As a 501c6 organization, OIX emphasizes interconnection proliferation through the development, implementation, and certification of transparent technical and operating standards, empowering internet exchange providers, data center providers, carriers, and content and cloud service providers to excel in their domains. OIX’s commitment to fostering a more interconnected and reliable internet ecosystem positions it as a pivotal player in the global internet infrastructure landscape.

Media Contact

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