Our inaugural spotlight features Mike Simmons, vice president of Fiber and Wireless Development, whose 15-year career at Utah Broadband mirrors the company’s evolution from a small, locally built wireless provider to a growing broadband organization delivering advanced wireless and fiber connectivity to communities across Utah.
Simmons currently leads the strategic direction of Utah Broadband’s wireless and fiber networks, overseeing the teams that design, build, and operate the company’s infrastructure. His path to executive leadership, however, was anything but linear. Over the years, Simmons has held nearly every technical role in the organization, including Technical Support Representative, Network Administrator, Network Engineer, Wireless Engineer, and Director of Wireless.
“Utah Broadband began in the original owner’s garage, built on hard work, family values, and a willingness to do whatever it took to solve real problems for real neighbors,” Simmons said. “Those values didn’t fade as the company grew. They became the foundation of who we are.”
That hands-on journey, he says, is deeply reflective of Utah Broadband’s culture today.
A Culture Built on Showing Up
From the beginning, teamwork at Utah Broadband has been a daily practice rather than just a slogan or a line in a mission statement. Simmons recalls leadership that led by example, whether that meant climbing onto rooftops, troubleshooting customer issues firsthand, or stepping into roles wherever help was needed.
“The original owner was never above rolling up his sleeves,” Simmons said. “That mindset set the tone. If something needed to be done, you did it. Titles didn’t matter.”
That philosophy shaped Simmons’ own career. Over the years, he has answered customer support calls, burned his hands on hot roof shingles, snowshoed to remote tower sites, dug holes, pulled cable through conduit, and worked on overnight outages, often in brutal weather and time-sensitive conditions.
“These experiences weren’t exceptions,” he said. “They were part of learning the business and understanding what our teams go through every day. They also taught me how important it is to lead with empathy and respect.”
Growing Without Losing What Matters
During Simmons’ tenure, Utah Broadband has more than doubled its customer base and employee count, while continuously evolving its network to meet rising demand. The company’s wireless infrastructure alone has progressed through more than a dozen technology generations as Utah Broadband adapted to deliver better performance and reliability.
The company has experienced several ownership chapters, including an early acquisition, a return to ownership by the founder, and, most recently, its acquisition by the Boston Omaha family of companies. Simmons said this latest transition provided the resources and momentum needed to expand into fiber and accelerate growth while preserving the company’s culture.
“Being acquired by Boston Omaha gave us the ability to invest ahead of demand,” Simmons said. “It allowed us to add fiber to our portfolio and pursue large-scale projects while preserving what made Utah Broadband special in the first place.”
Today, Utah Broadband has secured millions of dollars in federal funding to deliver multi-gigabit broadband service to communities across Utah, many of which have been historically underserved or overlooked by larger providers.
“We’ve grown from delivering kilobits-per-second service to a handful of neighbors into building critical infrastructure for thousands of customers,” Simmons said. “That’s something we’re incredibly proud of.”
Why Utah Broadband Works
To Simmons, Utah Broadband’s success comes down to a few core principles: local knowledge, technical adaptability, and long-term commitment.
“We’ve never been tied to a single technology or a one-size-fits-all approach,” he said. “We evolve. If wireless is the right solution, we invest there. If fiber is needed, we build it. We don’t take shortcuts, and we don’t build for the short term.”
That flexibility, paired with a deeply experienced leadership team, allows Utah Broadband to execute consistently as the company grows. Many members of the management team are long-tenured employees who understand both the technical and human sides of the business.
“Customers feel that difference,” Simmons said. “When they call Utah Broadband, they talk to people who understand their area, care about their experience, and are invested in their community. That trust is earned over time.”
Community as a Responsibility
Community has always been central to Utah Broadband’s identity, a value that aligns closely with the broader Boston Omaha philosophy across its ISP portfolio. For Simmons, community means more than presence; it means accountability.
“When you build and operate networks where you live, you feel a responsibility to do things right the first time,” he said. “You stand behind your work because these are your neighbors.”
That responsibility extends to employees as well. Simmons credits Utah Broadband with fostering an environment that supports people professionally and personally.
“I’ve had many conversations with leadership that weren’t just about work, but about life,” he said. “There’s a genuine interest in making sure people are healthy and happy outside the office. That level of care creates loyalty you can’t manufacture.”
Working Hard and Having Fun
Despite the demanding nature of building and operating broadband networks, Utah Broadband has always found ways to celebrate its people. Simmons recalls one long-running tradition in particular: the annual Costco Christmas shopping spree.
“Each employee got a gift card and 25 minutes to shop without going over the limit,” he said. “If you went over, the owner got to remove an item from your cart. It was chaotic, competitive, and hilarious, and something everyone looked forward to.”
Even as the company has grown, that spirit remains strong. Recent celebrations have included casino-themed events with blackjack, craps, and roulette, reflecting that while Utah Broadband works hard, it also values camaraderie and shared experiences.
“It may seem like a small thing, but it says a lot about the company,” Simmons said. “We build serious infrastructure, but we don’t lose sight of the people doing the work.”
A Career, Not Just a Job
As Simmons reflects on his 15 years at Utah Broadband, one thing is clear: for him, the company has never been just a job.
“It’s been a place where I’ve grown professionally and personally, surrounded by people who care about doing things the right way,” he said. “The work matters, and how we do it matters just as much.”
“We’ve evolved in every way you can imagine,” Simmons said. “But the core values — hard work, integrity, adaptability, and community — are still lived every day. That’s what makes Utah Broadband special, and that’s why I’m proud to be part of this team.”