Brian Worthen – CEO, Visionary Broadband
Brian Worthen is the Chief Executive Officer of Visionary Broadband, a regional Internet Service Provider (ISP) operating principally across Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, and New Mexico. He has held this leadership position since acquiring majority ownership in Visionary Communications in 2001, following his initial investment that year. Worthen’s strategic focus has been on expanding and modernizing the company’s broadband assets, deploying fiber, microwave, and DSL technologies to serve predominantly rural and underserved communities in the Rocky Mountain region.
Professional Background and Experience
Worthen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Small Business Management with an emphasis on Finance from the University of Wyoming College of Business (1990–1995). Prior to his tenure at Visionary, he gained operational and managerial experience at Coach USA as Vice President of Operations and General Manager, overseeing large-scale transportation operations spanning five states, as well as earlier roles including Tour Coordinator at Powder River Tours. He also serves as the CEO and Treasurer of Mammoth Networks, a wholesale subsidiary under Visionary Broadband focused on facilities-based reselling within the Mountain West.
Leadership and Contributions at Visionary Broadband
Under Worthen’s leadership since 2001, Visionary Broadband has evolved from a pioneering internet startup—founded in 1994 with modest infrastructure (initially six modems and a 56k Frame Relay connection)—into a significant regional broadband provider and Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) with wholesale subsidiaries. Worthen has spearheaded broadband infrastructure builds across 122 cities, towns, and unincorporated areas in the Rocky Mountain states, including first deployments in towns such as Buffalo, Cody, Gillette, Newcastle, Ranchester, Rawlins, Sundance, and Wright in Wyoming.
His approach is centered on integrating fiber carrier networks into a cohesive Ethernet platform designed to outpace competitive telecom service offerings through reliability and advanced technological solutions. This strategy includes securing substantial public grant funding to expand rural broadband access, with Visionary Broadband having received approximately $27 million in ARPA grant awards in 2024 alone, as well as multiple Community Partnership Fund (CPF) and National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) grants totaling tens of millions in investments. Notable awards include a $1.65 million grant for broadband expansion in Centennial, Wyoming, a $4.5 million grant to improve internet access around Hardin, Wyoming, and a $9.1 million allocation in high-speed internet grants statewide.
Company Milestones and Impact
Visionary Broadband marked its 30th anniversary in December 2024, with Worthen emphasizing the company’s mission to provide reliable, affordable, and future-proof fiber internet services targeting small towns and rural communities often neglected by larger providers. By early 2025, the company had connected more than 10,000 previously unserved or underserved homes and businesses, distributing roughly 6,500 connections in Wyoming, 3,600 in Colorado, and over 300 in Montana. Visionary Broadband distinguished itself as the first U.S. provider to complete an NTIA-funded middle-mile project, highlighting its capacity to manage complex federally supported broadband infrastructure initiatives.
Worthen actively promotes rural broadband development publicly, frequently sharing company updates about network growth, team expansions (including strategic acquisition and integration of Mountain Broadband personnel), and open positions for technical roles managing large-scale router and network environments.
Industry Recognition and Affiliations
Brian Worthen was named among the “10 Competitive Telecom Executives to Watch” by Fierce Telecom in 2011. He holds a State of Wyoming Low Voltage Certification and maintains a leadership presence beyond Visionary, notably as a Board Member of the Gillette College Advisory Board and Treasurer on the Board of Directors for INCOMPAS, an organization representing competitive communications providers. Worthen’s experience and dedication position him as a prominent figure in the rural broadband telecommunications sector, advocating for inclusive broadband infrastructure development and economic expansion in less accessible regions.
Key Actionable Insights:
Brian Worthen’s deep operational expertise, combined with his success in leveraging federal funding and integrating fiber assets across a broad rural footprint, demonstrate Visionary Broadband’s stability, growth capacity, and commitment to rural connectivity. His dual leadership of Visionary Broadband and Mammoth Networks indicates a comprehensive understanding of both retail and wholesale broadband markets. Worthen’s emphasis on advanced fiber Ethernet platforms and scalable network operations aligns with current broadband scalability and modernization trends in underserved areas. Engagement with him would benefit from highlighting solutions or partnerships that further enhance rural broadband deployment, operational efficiency, or grant-based funding strategies.
