What do a Big Dog Chopper and Fiber to the Home have in common? The answer is Jimmy Todd, the CEO/General Manager of Nex-Tech. In 2024, Todd also served as the Chair of the Fiber Broadband Association (FBA).¹ His entrance at the FBA’s Fiber Connect conference on the chopper was impressive and, perhaps, the best entrance to a telecom conference this reporter has ever seen.²

His ear-splitting motorcycle was attention-grabbing. It paled compared to his message about the importance of fiber for the vitality of rural areas. Serving over 11,000 square miles, Nex-Tech is rooted in supporting its members and customers. In the above interview, he recounts his motorcycle ride from Kansas to Tennessee. He shares his fear about what could have gone wrong with his unusual entrance. He also discusses how fiber to the dairy made a huge economic impact on the rural area Nex-Tech serves.

1. The FBA recently announced that Todd has been elected to a second consecutive, three-year term and will serve as Treasurer. ↩︎
2. Other notable entrances include, Roger Nishi’s being pulled on a dog sled and riding a horse at the OPASTCO Summer 2007 and Winter 2008 conferences, respectively. John Colvin made a grand and memorable appearance on a smaller, quieter motorized 2-wheeler at a Calix ConneXions event. ↩︎