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Utah Broadband

Author: Abi Breaur

Utah Broadband Appoints Ben Elkins as New CEO

Posted on by Abi Breaur

Arizona’s AireBeam CEO to Work in Both Capacities

Draper, UT – May 15, 2024 – Utah Broadband (UBB), Utah’s most trusted high-speed Internet provider and a subsidiary of Boston Omaha Corporation (NYSE: BOC), announced today the appointment of Ben Elkins as its new CEO, following the retirement of Taunya Martin, former president of Utah Broadband. Elkins is presently CEO of AireBeam, a visionary Internet service provider and a Boston Omaha Corporation subsidiary based in Arizona City, AZ. He will assume Utah Broadband’s CEO position as an additional role for Boston Omaha Broadband.

“We are very pleased that Ben will be taking over at Utah Broadband,” said Butch Burgers, Chief Business Officer at Boston Omaha Broadband. “Ben has achieved an incredible amount of success at AireBeam and we know he will bring the same energy and passion to Utah Broadband to help it further its customer base in the Salt Lake area.”

Utah Broadband serves seven counties along the Wasatch Front and Back. In this very competitive market, the company has grown consistently year-over-year, increasing revenue significantly over the past few years. In 2021, while continuing to expand the wireless market, the company started offering fiber to the home (FTTH) in addition to its fixed wireless solutions, driving recent growth.

As Utah Broadband’s CEO, Elkins brings over 20 years of experience in telecommunications and strong management skills in the areas of sales and business development, strategy, negotiations, and P&L responsibility in a variety of networking sectors, including with ISPs. In his second year as

the CEO of AireBeam, he saw Arizona’s fastest-growing fiber-to-the-home and fixed wireless Internet service provider expand exponentially to become one of the leading providers in the state. During Elkin’s two-year tenure, AireBeam increased fiber subscribers by 375 percent and increased overall customer count by 20 percent. AireBeam increased EBITDA by 31 percent from 2021 to 2023 as well. Elkins plans to bring the same growth plan to Utah Broadband.

“I am pleased to take on this new challenge and honored Boston Omaha Broadband trusts me to expand and grow Utah Broadband’s business. And, I want to recognize the amazing culture Taunya has built over the last 18 years,” Elkins said. “I’ll be able to bring some of the best practices we’ve cultivated at AireBeam and apply them to Utah Broadband to better serve customers and expand the business. I look forward to Utah Broadband continuing to be known for its outstanding customer service and great value.”

About Utah Broadband

Utah Broadband has consistently been ranked one of the best Internet providers in Utah. Since 2002, Utah Broadband has proudly served communities of the Wasatch Front and Back and is known for providing customers with fast and reliable Internet speeds at a great value. Utah Broadband is a subsidiary of Boston Omaha Corporation (NYSE:BOC).

Utah Broadband’s President and COO Taunya Martin to Retire After 18 Years at Utah Broadband

Posted on by Abi Breaur

Building Teams and Company Culture Hallmarks of Career Achievements

Utah Broadband (UBB), Utah’s most trusted high-speed Internet provider and a subsidiary of Boston Omaha Corporation (NYSE: BOC), announced today the retirement of Taunya Martin, Utah Broadband’s President, after 18 years of service.

Taunya came to Utah Broadband in 2006 as General Manager and as her career progressed, she was promoted to COO and then President. “Taunya has made huge contributions to Utah Broadband over her tenure,” said Steven McGhie, Boston Omaha Broadband’s CEO. “She has boundless energy and is always innovative in her approach to business challenges and problems. Taunya will be greatly missed but we are excited for her to enter this next chapter of life.”

Utah Broadband serves seven counties along the Wasatch Front and Wasatch Back. In this very competitive market, the company has grown consistently year-over-year, increasing revenue to over 5X during this time. In 2021, while continuing to expand the wireless market, Taunya led the company in the deployment of fiber to the home (FTTH). “We built a fiber team from scratch including engineering through construction,” Taunya noted, “And we have since laid over 100 miles of fiber. UBB is known for their robust network and exceptional customer service which has resulted in record numbers of fiber customers added in each community.”

To help control costs, Taunya implemented the concept of Lean (a set of management practices to improve efficiency and effectiveness by eliminating waste) beginning with the fiber construction teams and moving it throughout the company. Though Lean was originally used in a manufacturing environment, she has proven there are endless ways Lean can be implemented to streamline businesses making them more efficient and profitable.

“The key to UBB’s success is our people,” Taunya emphasized. “When you hire the right individuals and provide them with opportunities to grow personally and professionally, they become the driving force behind implementing your strategies and achieving company goals.” 

According to Steven McGhie, “Taunya has built a strong team at Utah Broadband. Her doors are always open to discussing ideas and mentoring employees. She is the driving force behind our strong culture.”

Asked about her future, Taunya explained that she is exploring several options but is looking closely at service opportunities in her community utilizing the skills she has developed over the years. And of course, she is always looking forward to spending more time with her family.

 About Utah Broadband

 Utah Broadband has consistently been ranked one of the best internet providers in Utah. Since 2002, Utah Broadband has proudly served communities of the Wasatch Front and Back and is known for providing customers with fast and reliable Internet speeds at a great value. Utah Broadband is a subsidiary of Boston Omaha Corporation (NYSE:BOC).