Power the Network

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Rural communities have waited years for broadband that actually works, and the operators closest to those customers are the ones finally closing the gap. Discover how a husband-and-wife ownership team built a fixed wireless network from scratch, moved it to fiber, and is now taking on a 1,500-mile BEAD expansion.

In this episode of Power the Network, host Tim Locker sits down with Allan and Jolene Stocki, owners of Current High Speed, to discuss how an electrical and HVAC company in Southeast Missouri became a broadband provider serving five counties. Allan explains how frustration with his own home internet led to climbing towers, pouring concrete, and self-building roughly 150 of the 252 tower sites the company once operated — and why he pushed the team to rip and replace that network with fiber before the bandwidth ceiling arrived. Jolene shares how she taught herself splicing from YouTube videos, brought documentation discipline to a network that had none, and helped shape custom-outfitted splice trailers for each technician. The conversation also covers the realities of their BEAD build: 1,500 miles of underground cable, months of federal permitting through historic preservation, tribal council, and endangered species reviews, and crews trained and waiting for a green light. Whether you're an independent ISP owner or a network operations leader, this episode offers practical lessons on growth, patience, and people. Their closing vision — using growth to reinvest in the community — is worth hearing.

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Hosted by CBM's own Vice President of Broadband, Tim Locker, Power the Network is bringing industry leaders to your feed every other week. One minute, you'll dive deep into products and innovative new processes. The next minute, you'll be learning timeless principles to equip you in your career. At CBM, we are powered by ownership, and we're bringing the same energy into podcasting with Power the Network.

For more information, connect with us at cbmrep.com/contact

Data center construction is reshaping demand for the enclosures, skids, and grid infrastructure that keep critical equipment running. Discover how a Kansas metal fabricator nearly tripled its workforce to meet that moment without losing the customers who built it.

In this episode of Power the Network, host Tim Locker sits down with Nicole Dickey, Vice President of Customer Relations at PTMW, to discuss how a metal fabricator that got its start building railroad enclosures in 1983 became a go-to engineered solutions provider for data centers, substations, and power distribution. Nicole walks through PTMW's five-year expansion under owner Ashley Betis — 100,000 square feet of added manufacturing space and new fabrication equipment in Topeka, plus a new plant in Manhattan, Kansas — and explains why redundancy, access to a second labor pool, and dedicated lines for equipment skids mattered so much to their largest customers. She also unpacks the integrator partnerships, state certification timelines, and pre-construction modular approach that save customers time and money in the field. Then the conversation turns to people: what college volleyball taught her about work ethic, direct communication, and getting the locker room right, plus how PTMW pays employees for process improvement ideas from the production floor. Whether you're a manufacturer scaling through a growth period or a leader trying to build a team that trusts each other, this episode delivers practical takeaways. It's a candid look at what it takes to grow fast and stay grounded.

If you've enjoyed this conversation, leave a review and subscribe so you don't miss any future episodes.

Hosted by CBM's own Vice President of Broadband, Tim Locker, Power the Network is bringing industry leaders to your feed every other week. One minute, you'll dive deep into products and innovative new processes. The next minute, you'll be learning timeless principles to equip you in your career. At CBM, we are powered by ownership, and we're bringing the same energy into podcasting with Power the Network.

For more information, connect with us at cbmrep.com/contact

AI server farms are asking utilities for gigawatts of power on timelines the grid was never built to meet. Discover how transmission investment, battery storage, and smarter substations are reshaping the electric utility industry — and what it takes to keep up.

In this episode of Power the Network, host Tim Locker sits down with Chris Kurtz of CBM to discuss the real state of the U.S. power grid and the forces reshaping it. Returning for his third appearance, Chris explains why the grid remains dependable even as resiliency work continues, what actually causes rolling blackouts, and why transmission — not generation — has been the long-standing bottleneck. He breaks down how AI data centers are driving unprecedented transmission investment, delaying coal plant retirements, and prompting new generation, while supply chains for large transformers and switchgear stretch five to six years. Chris also looks ahead to touchless "smart" substations and capacitance-based battery technology, then shares lessons from 43 years in the industry: moving from a Fortune 500 utility to a 100% employee-owned rep firm, the value of an ESOP, and why relationships and honesty matter more than selling. Whether you're a utility engineer, a manufacturer's rep, or a sales leader building customer trust, this episode delivers practical perspective. It's a candid look at where the grid is headed over the next decade and beyond.

If you've enjoyed this conversation, leave a review and subscribe so you don't miss any future episodes.

Hosted by CBM's own Vice President of Broadband, Tim Locker, Power the Network is bringing industry leaders to your feed every other week. One minute, you'll dive deep into products and innovative new processes. The next minute, you'll be learning timeless principles to equip you in your career. At CBM, we are powered by ownership, and we're bringing the same energy into podcasting with Power the Network.

For more information, connect with us at cbmrep.com/contact

Great products don't sell themselves — people, partnerships, and the right questions do. Discover how a career built on listening, humility, and showing up translates into a smarter route to market and a stronger energy infrastructure.

In this episode of Power the Network, host Tim Locker sits down with John Gagge, Vice President of Business Development, Network Infrastructure Solutions at EnerSys, to discuss the core values that shape his leadership, the craft of public speaking, and the sales habits that separate good reps from great ones. John shares the five personal beliefs he wrote down years ago — from finding humor to making a difference — and explains why treating everyone as a person is a competitive advantage in any industry. He digs into the best sales advice he's received: ask for the order, ask about share of wallet, and listen more than you talk, illustrated by a casual conversation with a UPS OEM that sparked an entirely new battery product. Tim and John also break down EnerSys's three-legged route to market — direct sales, OEMs and end users, and manufacturer's reps and VARs — and why no manufacturer should expect 100% of a partner's mind share. Whether you're a sales leader, a network operator, or an engineer, this episode offers practical lessons on relationships, packaged solutions, and proactive sales enablement. John closes with why aging grid infrastructure, returning U.S. manufacturing, and growing energy demand make the next three to five years a genuine growth story.

If you've enjoyed this conversation, leave a review and subscribe so you don't miss any future episodes.

Hosted by CBM's own Vice President of Broadband, Tim Locker, Power the Network is bringing industry leaders to your feed every other week. One minute, you'll dive deep into products and innovative new processes. The next minute, you'll be learning timeless principles to equip you in your career. At CBM, we are powered by ownership, and we're bringing the same energy into podcasting with Power the Network.

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Discover how Hometown Internet is revolutionizing rural broadband by tackling the toughest terrain in the Ozarks. Learn the secrets behind successful fiber-to-the-home expansion.

In this episode of Power of the Network, host Tim Locker sits down with Chris Harness, COO of Hometown Internet, to discuss the ambitious expansion of fiber-optic infrastructure in rural Arkansas and Missouri. With a background spanning decades in telecom construction, Chris shares his expert insights on navigating complex environmental hurdles, managing BEAD funding projects, and overcoming the unique challenges of building in rocky Ozark terrain. This deep dive into fiber deployment covers everything from the nuances of 'make ready' pole work to the importance of building a strong, local workforce. Whether you are an industry professional interested in ISP growth strategies or a community member curious about the future of high-speed connectivity, this conversation provides an honest look at the state of broadband today. Learn how Hometown Internet is prioritizing local growth to bridge the digital divide, providing essential services to underserved regions, and fostering long-term community development through reliable, high-speed fiber internet.

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Discover how the ESOP business model drives growth and employee retention in the competitive construction industry. Learn top leadership strategies.

In this episode of Power of the Network, host Tim Locker sits down with Tyler Wesselman, President of MegaKC, to discuss the transformative power of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) in the construction sector. Tyler shares his journey from an intern to leading a 100% employee-owned firm in Kansas City. This conversation dives deep into construction management, the importance of strategic organizational structuring, and how to cultivate a high-performance culture by focusing on employee strengths rather than weaknesses. Viewers will gain actionable insights on how to build infrastructure for sustainable growth, handle complex succession planning, and navigate the unique challenges of non-union merit shops. Whether you are a business leader, construction professional, or interested in the mechanics of ESOPs, this discussion provides a blueprint for creating long-term value, financial freedom, and a legacy-driven company culture. Learn how aligning people with their strengths can overcome business plateaus and foster a team that acts like owners every single day.

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Ever wondered how to excel in broadband sales? Discover how former utility manager Eric Lage transitioned to a key role at PLP.

In this episode of Power of the Network, host Tim Locker sits down with Eric Lage, the new regional manager at Preformed Line Products (PLP), to discuss his unique career trajectory from being a utility operator to a manufacturing leader. This conversation offers a rare look at the broadband industry from both sides of the table. Eric shares valuable lessons on leadership, the importance of operational autonomy, and how sales professionals can better serve utility providers by understanding their unique technical needs. Whether you are in municipal utility management, outside plant engineering, or technical sales, you will gain actionable advice on how to build trust, navigate complex infrastructure projects, and improve your approach to consultative selling. The episode also highlights the current challenges of managing network projects, the impact of BEAD funding on future deployments, and why a 'servant leadership' model is critical to long-term success. Tune in to learn how to effectively bridge the gap between technical operations and sales success in the evolving telecommunications landscape.

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Discover the strategy behind sustaining a successful family-owned broadband business across four generations. Learn how to balance long-term legacy with rapid innovation.

In this insightful episode of Power of the Network, host Tim Locker sits down with Ben Foster, leader of the fourth-generation family-owned company, Twin Valley. Ben shares his unique journey, from gaining essential experience at a non-family company to returning home to drive growth and community impact. This interview dives deep into the challenges of maintaining culture across generations, the strategic importance of values-based leadership, and the complexities of mergers and acquisitions in the telecommunications industry. We also touch upon Ben's recent appointment to the board for the NTCA and his vision for the future of rural broadband in the age of AI and shifting regulatory landscapes. Whether you are a business leader looking to scale, a professional in the telecom sector, or interested in the nuances of family-owned enterprises, this conversation provides a blueprint for building a business that is truly built to last. Learn how Twin Valley navigates competition, utilizes the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), and fosters deep community ties to ensure long-term, sustainable success.

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Scaling a fiber broadband network in a competitive market isn't easy. Discover how Gateway Fiber navigates growth, supply chains, and infrastructure hurdles.

In this insightful episode of Power the Network, host Tim Locker sits down with Jason Johns, VP of Network Development at Gateway Fiber, to discuss the rapid evolution of the fiber broadband industry. Two years after his last appearance, Jason provides an inside look at the challenges and triumphs of managing massive scaling efforts across multiple states. From navigating global supply chain pressure to implementing fiber-first expansion strategies, this conversation covers the operational realities of building modern connectivity in a crowded marketplace. They also explore the complexities of municipal permitting, the importance of robust customer-centric service models, and the evolving role of government grants like BEAD. Whether you are a telecom professional, infrastructure stakeholder, or industry enthusiast, this episode delivers actionable insights into the future of network development, the importance of long-term vendor partnerships, and the secrets to fostering a healthy corporate culture in a high-growth environment. Join us as we examine what it takes to build a network that truly serves the customer while staying agile and profitable.

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