In his second year as CEO, Elkins saw AireBeam expand exponentially to become one of the leading regional ISPs. Focusing on areas in and around Pinal County, Ariz., Elkins rolled out service to seven communities, including modular homes, and was instrumental in providing underserved communities with affordable fiber and fixed wireless internet solutions by leveraging government programs like the Affordable Connectivity Program and the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program. Under his leadership, EBITA has gone up by 25% in the last year and a half.
My prediction for the $42 billion BEAD program: I predict it will be successful as we have learned a lot from the mistakes of RDOF. I think it will greatly impact rural and underserved America and by 2030 there will be very few people in our country without access to high-speed Internet.
Favorite way to de-stress? Golf, as long as I’m hitting it straight.
What emerging industry trend are you most excited by and why? Fiber competing with cable companies! For several years cable companies have had a monopoly on business and residential Internet. I’m excited to see fiber companies compete and balance out the Internet industry, as well as give customers a choice in which service they can choose.
Book, movie or TV series that greatly influenced my leadership style: A book called “They Call me Coach” by John Wooden. I knew Coach Wooden growing up. Not only was Coach Wooden the greatest basketball coach of all-time, but he was also an even better person. I look up to his leadership skills and the way he taught his players about basketball and how to live life. I try to implement his pyramid of success in AireBeam and in my personal life.
TV series everyone should binge: “Yellowstone.” I don’t watch TV much, but this series is really interesting and a lot of different people seem to enjoy it!
What celebrity would you hire for your company and why? Ryan Reynolds. Whatever company he’s a part of, they sell for billions of dollars so he would be a great good luck charm!
Which industry executive do you wish was running for president and why? Elon Musk—he’s a brilliant deep thinker who’s shown the courage to take chances on his convictions, right or wrong. It would be extremely exciting to have someone as innovative as Elon as President of the United States.
Business speak phrase or buzzword I find most annoying: It’s gonna take a minute (I feel it’s too overused).