QumulusAI Announces Leadership and Board Updates

Changes support execution at scale as company expands AI cloud platform and advances toward public markets

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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QumulusAI, an AI infrastructure company, has announced leadership and board updates to support its growth and expansion. Steve Gertz has stepped down as Chairman of the Board to focus on his role as Chief Growth Officer, while Mike Maniscalco, the CEO, has been appointed as the new Chairman. The company also announced the appointment of Dr. Homaira Akbari to its Board of Directors.

Why it matters

These changes are aimed at positioning QumulusAI for its next phase of growth as it expands its distributed AI cloud platform and prepares to go public. The leadership and board updates bring in new expertise and focus to help the company scale its operations and infrastructure to meet growing demand for its services.

The details

Steve Gertz, who served as Chairman from February 2025 to February 2026, is now focusing on his role as Chief Growth Officer, responsible for capital markets engagement, strategic customer and partner development, executive leadership support, and evaluation of inorganic growth opportunities. Mike Maniscalco, the CEO, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Board. The company also announced the appointment of Dr. Homaira Akbari to its Board of Directors, where she will serve on the Audit Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Akbari is the President and CEO of AKnowledge Partners, and has held senior leadership roles at Microsoft and Thales.

  • Steve Gertz served as Chairman from February 2025 to February 2026.
  • Gertz transitioned to the role of Chief Growth Officer in December 2025.

The players

Steve Gertz

Former Chairman of the Board of QumulusAI, now serving as the Chief Growth Officer.

Mike Maniscalco

Chief Executive Officer of QumulusAI, now appointed as the new Chairman of the Board.

Dr. Homaira Akbari

President and CEO of AKnowledge Partners, appointed to the Board of Directors of QumulusAI.

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What they’re saying

“Steve has been operating as part of the leadership team for some time. This change clarifies the separation between governance and execution while keeping continuity where it matters.”

— Mike Maniscalco, Chief Executive Officer (bnd.com)

“As QumulusAI scales, growth has to keep pace with infrastructure velocity. My conviction in the company's vision and execution is what led me to join the executive team, where I can focus on accelerating revenue, building strategic relationships, and expanding the ecosystems around our platform.”

— Steve Gertz, Chief Growth Officer (bnd.com)

“QumulusAI is tackling one of the defining infrastructure challenges of this decade. I'm pleased to guide the company as it scales responsibly and prepares for its next stage of growth.”

— Dr. Homaira Akbari, President and CEO of AKnowledge Partners (bnd.com)

The takeaway

These leadership and board changes at QumulusAI demonstrate the company's commitment to scaling its operations and infrastructure to meet growing demand for its distributed AI cloud platform as it prepares to go public. The new expertise and focus brought in by the appointments will help the company execute on its vision and navigate the challenges of rapid growth.