Incompas (Fall 2016) Show Daily

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« 1 0 » THE INCOMPAS SHOW I OCTOBER 23-25, 2016
THE INCOMPAS SHOW
INDATEL’s Founder to Retire; Wagner Takes Helm
Max Huffman, a pillar for INDATEL and
independent telecommunications
companies throughout the United
States, announced his plans to retire at the end
of the year. Mel Wagner Jr., who has served as
INDATEL’s vice president of Business Develop-
ment and Sales since 2014, was named the
organization’s new CEO.
Huffman became chief operating officer of
INDATEL Services in May 2012, after he retired
from Bluebird Network.
“As a founding member of the original INDA-
TELgroup and the organization’s first president
of the Board of Directors, Huffman’s vision and
passion have been big reasons for the success
of INDATEL,” said Board President Corey
Jensen. “His strong leadership helped guide the
organization during its formation years assisting
with the evolution of INDATELgroup to INDATEL
Services or better known today as INDATEL.”
INDATELgroup, a derivative of Independent
Alliances Telecom Group, was established as
a trade association to create awareness of and
promote independent telecom companies and
their offerings throughout rural America. In 2010,
the organization started a services division.
Huffman and INDATEL have always been
synonymous. For a short period of time, Huffman
oversaw operations for the trade association and
the services company, until the members voted
in December 2013 to dissolve the trade associa-
tion and merge those functions into INDATEL
Services LLC. Since then, INDATEL has experi-
enced growth in membership, service offerings
and customers under Huffman’s direction.
“The future is bright,”
Huffman said. “INDATEL has
established a strong brand
presence and enhanced rela-
tionships that will bring multi-
state and multilocation sales
opportunities to the member-
owned, interconnected, robust
fiber network.
“When we started INDATEL 13 years ago, I
would have never believed it would be possible
for us to deliver advanced broadband service
speeds from coast-to-coast at prices that are
much lower than an equivalent TDM-based
circuit speed,” he said.
“I am proud to be part of an organization of
like-organized, like-minded companies that have
come together for the betterment of the entire
group.” Huffman said. “Life is really all about rela-
tionships — God, family and the friends you make
along the way. I consider it an honor to have
so many friends in the industry, especially my
INDATEL family and the customers we serve.”
“The fundamentals on which INDATEL
were founded and prospered will not change.”
Jensen noted. “INDATEL will continue to follow
the path set by Max and the Board of Directors
to bring business opportunities to its members.
We thank Max for his years of dedication, guid-
ance and friendship.”
The search to replace Huffman began in June.
Wagner, an industry veteran, brings more
than 25 years of experience in telecom and
an entrepreneurial focus that has been instru-
mental in driving INDATEL’s market position and
achieving financial growth.
“Mel Wagner’s integrity, experience and work
ethic make him a perfect fit to lead INDATEL as
we continue to expand our network and service
offerings,” Jensen said.
Wagner praised his predecessor saying, “The
incredible cornerstones set by Max Huffman
have established and built a solid founda-
tion for INDATEL. This is an exciting time for
the company, as we continue to focus on the
increasing demand for telecommunication
services throughout the country.
“I’m honored to be entrusted to lead, grow
and chart the course for INDATEL into the
future,” he added.
INDATEL is a nationwide network that
provides fiber connectivity to rural and urban
America. It excels in delivering reliable broad-
band connectivity via fiber optic network routes
throughout the nation. It is positioned to provide
broadband telecommunications services to many
places other carriers cannot.
The INDATEL network represents more
than 90,000 fiber optic route miles of middle-
mile network and 100’s of thousands of last-
mile fiber optic facilities via its members and
a fast growing base of affiliates. The INDATEL
network currently serves more than 5,000
communities and 40,000 + fiber-serviceable
on-net and near-net buildings.
Upon retirement, Huffman plans to provide
telecom consulting services, when he isn’t trav-
eling with his wife of 43 years or attending his
grandchildren’s events. p
Stop by booth 215 in the Expo Hall to wish Max
Huffman best wishes in his retirement and get to
know Mel Wagner, as he begins his new path as
CEO of INDATEL. For more information regarding
the organization, go to
I t has been a year of growth for WOW! Wholesale, a division of WOW! Business.
In 2016, WOW! Wholesale added 400 new buildings, data centers and wireless sites.
These sites can be serviced with HSI, DIA and fiber Ethernet, along with WOW!’s latest
offering – Ethernet over HFC.
WOW! Business provides IP-based network, data, voice and cloud services for small and
medium-sized business, enterprise, government and wholesale customers.
The company owns and operates more than 40,000 miles of local fiberr-optic and coaxial
networks in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast which, along with its data centers,
provide customers with scalable, low-latency access to national carrier backbones. p
For more information about WOW! Wholesale services, visit the Dallas 5 meeting room
or go to the website .
WOW! Grows in 2016
“Huffman’s vision
and passion have been
big reasons for the
success of INDATEL”
– Corey Jensen, INDATEL
Huffman