Summit to Summit – Channel Partners Newsletter Vol. 1

June 29, 2023

Published by Ken Barrios, Director of Partner Channel, Summit Broadband

Welcome to our ‘Summit to Summit’ Channel Partners Newsletter! In this edition, we’re thrilled to share exciting moments and recent events which have impacted our organization tremendously. With major trade show attendance, remarkable growth, welcomed new leadership, embracing innovative technologies, and expansion of our channel partners network, the future here at Summit Broadband is brighter than ever. Keep reading to learn how we strive everyday to keep our partners connected.


Director of Partner Channel

Ken Barrios has been introduced as the new Director of Partner Channel at Summit Broadband. He has made significant contributions in developing the partner channel, including the implementation of the Channel Harmony system to eliminate conflict between direct and indirect channels. 

Ken has also established crucial partnerships with Telarus, ACS Cloud Partners, and AppDirect, expanding Summit Broadband’s reach and offerings. His leadership and innovative strategies have played a pivotal role in driving the growth and success of the partner program.

Making Appearances

Channel Partners Conference and Expo is renowned as a premier gathering for industry professionals, where leading companies come together to showcase their latest innovations, forge new partnerships, and stay ahead of the ever-evolving technology landscape. This year’s conference was no exception, featuring a plethora of top-notch exhibitors, engaging keynote speakers, and invaluable networking opportunities.

Summit Broadband had a successful presence at this year’s conference, which was held in Las Vegas. The event provided an excellent platform for showcasing their services and connecting with industry leaders. Special thanks were given to Telarus and ACS Cloud Partners for their support. Summit Broadband’s participation resulted in valuable networking opportunities and reinforced their commitment to excellence. They are excited about future prospects and encourage interested parties to reach out for more information.

Ken Barrios (Director of Partner Channel), Bill Lean (VP, Wholesale, Channel, Solution Architecture) and Nichole King (Sr. Marketing Manager) at Channel Partners Las Vegas 2023.

Meet Our New CEO: Kurt Van Wagenen

After an ambitious growth strategy in June 2020, Summit Broadband has achieved significant milestones despite the challenges of the past three years. The interim CEO expressed pride in serving the company and announced the selection of Kurt Van Wagenen as the next CEO after a nationwide search.

Kurt brings extensive experience in scaling telecom operations, sales, and customer service, with over 30 years in the industry. He has successfully grown multiple businesses, including FirstLight Fiber, FiberTower Corporation, and NEON Communications. Kurt’s operational expertise and leadership will drive Summit Broadband’s growth-focused strategy in the next phase of its evolution.

Connecting Our Partners

We are thrilled to announce that Summit Broadband has expanded its reach by making our fiber connectivity and pricing information available on three prominent platforms: Telarus GeoQuote, ACS Cloud Partners FiberLookup, and FiberLocator. This significant development opens up new avenues for businesses to access our robust fiber network and benefit from our competitive pricing options.

This collaboration with Telarus, ACS Cloud Partners, and FiberLocator showcases our commitment to expanding our service footprint and making our offerings readily accessible to a broader customer base. We are confident that this integration will simplify the process of identifying and procuring reliable fiber connectivity, further solidifying Summit Broadband’s position as a leading provider in the industry.


New Tech Offerings

Summit Broadband is thrilled to announce the expansion of its managed services offering. Soon, customers will have access to managed router, managed firewall, and SD-WAN network services. The new services aim to provide businesses with enhanced connectivity, improved security, and optimized network performance.

Summit Broadband’s team of experts will handle the management and maintenance of these critical network components, allowing businesses to focus on their core operations. This expansion underscores Summit Broadband’s commitment to delivering comprehensive and reliable solutions to meet the evolving needs of businesses. Stay tuned for more details on the official launch of these managed services.

To learn more about Summit Broadband Channel Partners, contact Ken Barrios.

Email:  summitpartnerinfo@summitbb.com
Phone: 407.961.1960