FARR - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• President

Job Titles:

• Partner
• Vice President of Systems Integration

Mr. Rearick began his career as a Network Administrator at The Credit Store, a credit card company based in Sioux Falls, SD. At The Credit Store, Mr. Rearick was responsible for all server and network design, build and management of The Credit Store local area network (LAN). This network utilized Bay Networks routers/switches and Microsoft Windows operating systems for servers and desktops. In 1996, Mr. Rearick accepted a Systems Engineering position at DataNet, a value added reseller (VAR) for small to medium businesses located in southeast South Dakota, Northeast Iowa and Southwest Minnesota. Responsibilities at DataNet included providing design, installation, configuration and maintenance services for clients supporting a variety of vendor equipment platforms including Cisco, Bay/Nortel Networks, Microsoft, Novell, Hewlett- Packard, Compaq and IBM. In 1997, DataNet was acquired by Dakota Telecom Group (DTG), an Independent Local Exchange Carrier offering voice, data and video service to residential and business subscribers in South Dakota. At DTG, Mr. Rearick was responsible for implementing upgrades and changes to DTG's Internet Service Provider (ISP) network. The changes and upgrades helped to move the ISP division from a minor piece of the DTG's network to a reliable, scalable and redundant network which DTG could use to build the future of the company. DTG's ISP services included Cable Modem, DSL, Dial-up Internet, web hosting and email services to more than 30,000 subscribers in South Dakota. In 1998, DTG was acquired by McLeodUSA, a nationwide communications carrier offering voice, data and video services to residential and business subscribers. At McLeodUSA, Mr. Rearick moved into a lead Engineering position in the South Dakota Network Operations Center (NOC). As part of this position, Mr. Rearick was responsible for designing and building a state of the art NOC with Colocation facilities for customers. The NOC monitored and maintained the South Dakota, southwest Minnesota and northwest Iowa ISP networks providing Tier 3 support for residential and business customers. In 2000, Mr. Rearick left McLeodUSA for a Sales Engineering position at InfoLibria, a content distribution equipment startup located in Waltham, MA. This new position, located in Seattle, WA, provided support for the Western Region and Asia-Pacific sales teams. As a Sales Engineer for InfoLibria, Mr. Rearick assisted the Account Managers and Customers in the technical aspects of understanding how the content distribution systems operate and fit into their network. In 2003, Mr. Rearick joined Martin Group (now CHR Solutions). Since joining Martin Group, Mr. Rearick has performed research, design, implementation and troubleshooting of next generation telecommunications and data networks, including Carrier Ethernet, Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS), Dense & Coarse Wave Division Multiplexing (CWDM/DWDM), Synchronous Optical Networks (SONET, Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL, ADSL2, ADSL2+, VDSL & VDSL2), Passive and Active Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH), IP LAN/WAN networks, Broadband Internet, Protocol Termination and ISP equipment. Mr. Rearick is the primary point person for IP, Data, and ISP Networks. In 2007, Martin Group launched their Trusted Third Party Services for CALEA. Mr. Rearick was instrumental in the development of this service and continues to manage the Trusted Third Party service offering including the team who maintains the devices and servers related to this service. In 2008, Martin Group opened an office in Nashville, TN. With the opening of this office, Mr. Rearick moved to Nashville to manage this office and develop additional business in the eastern region. In 2011, Mr. Rearick was promoted to Vice President of Systems Integration. This position was responsible for managing the Systems Integration and In-Home Wiring groups as well as supporting the Marketing and Sales team in developing new business for Systems Integration. In 2012, Mr. Rearick left CHR Solutions to be part of a new adventure at FARR Technologies. Joining a team of incredibly experienced people to help build a new company focused on Clients and assisting them in building Tomorrows Networks Today.

Job Titles:

• Director, Separations

Mr. Bolen began his telecommunications career in 1982 as an Administrative Assistant with the LEC Settlements department at Martin and Associates, Inc. and has completed 30+ years of telecommunications industry employment. Mr. Bolen earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Dakota Wesleyan University, with major courses of study completed in both Accounting and English. Mr. Bolen has also completed the Certified Public Accountant licensing requirements and acquired his Certified Public Accountant license from the South Dakota Board of Accountancy on November 13, 2002. As a member of FARR Technologies, LLC and with previous consultants, Mr. Bolen has performed various NECA pooling functions required for NECA member companies, completed various FCC and PUC filings, and performed other financial services for telecommunications companies. Mr. Bolen has submitted Cost Based settlement studies, along with the NECA required three year settlement projections and Universal Service Fund data filings, annually for NECA member clients. Along with the Cost Based settlement study, he has completed Central Office Equipment Continuing Property Records in support of the clients current year COE inventory costs and FCC cost separation categorization detail. Mr. Bolen has provided FCC Part # 32 accounting procedure interpretations and financial statement assistance to his clients as well. Mr. Bolen has also assisted telephone companies with the preparation of Cost Based settlement feasibility studies in order to compare the client's existing average schedule settlements received with the projected Cost Based settlements available, should the client determine it appropriate to convert to a Cost Based settlements method. Most recently, Mr. Bolen has assisted several companies with successful conversions to an Interstate Cost Based method of settlements. Mr. Bolen has completed various filings to state Public Utilities Commissions (PUCs) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on behalf of several client companies. Annual Universal Service Fund eligibility filings are submitted to state PUC's and Mr. Bolen has supplied the required information in several states. Mr. Bolen has also completed various client data reporting forms, required by the FCC, such as the Form 499 and Form 502 filings. Mr. Bolen has performed other financial services to assist telecommunication companies, such as annual budget development, cash management studies and settlement impact studies regarding plant upgrades and network reconfigurations. Mr. Bolen has completed pro forma financial statements for companies considering a CLEC business start-up. Mr. Bolen has also completed pro forma financial statements for Federal Stimulus Funding applications as well as for CATV and telephone property acquisitions. These Federal Stimulus Funding applications, CLEC and property acquisition studies typically include detailed financial statements with a balance sheet, income statement, cash flow statement, and accompanying notes. Mr. Bolen's acquisition pro forma studies assisted the client in selecting an acquisition financing source as well as in determining the appropriate CATV or telephone property purchase price. Mr. Bolen also assisted legal counsel in obtaining the appropriate FCC and PUC waivers necessary for the successful transfer of the property acquired. Mr. Bolen has also completed numerous filings to assist Equal Access companies including FCC 214 applications, initial Centralized Equal Access tariffs, Pro Forma financial statements. Mr. Bolen has represented telephone clientele at various NECA, NTCA, USTA and other state telephone organization events involving prospective industry changes and the implementation of these FCC or state industry changes. Mr. Bolen has also made various presentations to client board of directors and other industry groups concerning forthcoming Cost Based settlement issues and FCC accounting procedure modifications.

Job Titles:

• Partner

Mr. Fridley is a native of South Dakota. He graduated from South Dakota State University (SDSU). He began his telecommunications career at DeWilde, Grant, and Reckert (DGR) of Rock Rapids, Iowa. DGR worked with Tier 3 (Cooperatives and privately owned family companies) and Tier 1 (Qwest; now CenturyLink) clients. In 1986, Fridley joined Martin Group, Inc. of Mitchell, South Dakota. In 2009, Martin Group merged with CHR Solutions, Inc. Mr. Fridley was formerly in charge of the CHR Engineering Field Services group. At the time of Mr. Fridley's departure from CHR Solutions, this group had 120+ full time employees plus access to an additional 50+ employees via sub-contractors. Under Mr. Fridley's leadership, the group more than doubled in size in less than 3 years. A large percentage of this growth came about as a result of Mr. Fridley's leadership in promoting clients to apply for loan/grants from the ARRA Stimulus program. Mr. Fridley has participated in the building of several statewide networks and many large regional networks. He has provided background technical information for testimony for state utility commissions in Iowa, South Dakota, Minnesota, New York, and Idaho. Mr. Fridley has also written electronics plans and specifications for multiple clients. He has written plans and specifications, provided negotiation assistance, and project managed projects for over 500 new stored program control and next generation softswitches (Class 4 and Class 5). He has also prepared specifications for over 300 major upgrades to digital switches, prepared specifications for over 150 lightwave specifications, and has prepared a multitude of miscellaneous equipment specifications. Mr. Fridley is a frequent presenter at industry events concerning present and future technologies as well as future infrastructure requirements. He has been a regular speaker or moderator at telecommunications industry events for the past 26+ years. In 2012, Mr. Fridley left CHR Solutions to be part of a new adventure at FARR Technologies. Joining a team of incredibly experienced people to help build a new company focused on Clients and assisting them in building Tomorrows Networks Today.

Job Titles:

• Director
• Director, Outside Plant
• in 2017 As Director
• Telecommunications Leader

Mr. Wingert is an experienced telecommunications leader with a comprehensive background in project management and FTTx design, FTTx construction, and gathering FTTx GIS as-built data. He completed a telecommunications course at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College (Rice Lake, WI) in 2001. He also completed the CompTIA certification for Professional Network+ from Southwest WI Technical College in 2003. During his 20-year telecommunications experience, he had ISP & OSP technical roles, OSP engineering positions, and OSP management of engineering and construction teams. He has designed and managed several FTTx projects with different topologies and design methods consisting of active ethernet, GPON, and RFoG resulting in millions of capital investments each year. Mr. Wingert joined FARR Technologies in 2017 as Director of OSP. At FARR Technologies he is responsible for managing all facets of a FTTx build, working closely with Clients and Vendors to deliver the project on time and under budget. He manages and supports FARR Technologies OSP team staff and resources to ensure the client receives the best product and service possible. He amongst other leaders at FARR Technologies are constantly reviewing and learning new FTTH technologies, products, and methods in order to stay on top of the FTTx industry.

Job Titles:

• CEO
• Partner

Mr. Rasmusson has a broad background in both functional and executive leadership roles in companies in several industries including engineering R & D, computer equipment manufacturing, telecommunications operations, telecommunications consulting and real property development. He graduated from Iowa State University with high honors in Civil Engineering. Following graduation he practiced structural engineering at GA Technologies in San Diego, CA where he lead a team of structural engineers in the design and scale model testing of a shipping container for nuclear waste. Subsequently, he took a sales position with Digital Equipment Corporation in Landover, MD. During his tenure at Martin Group and CHR Solutions, Rasmusson stabilized Martin Group's Telecommunications Consulting and Engineering (TCE) operations following the mass departure of the entire top management and sales team. He built and managed a leadership team to maintain and develop a new client and employee base, rebuilt trust with staff, management and clients to ultimately enable the merger of Martin Group and CHR Solutions in 2009. He created 50% revenue growth from 2005 through 2009 at Martin Group. Prior to his departure in 2011, the Engineering Field Services (EFS) operations were on track for a year over year 40% / $15M revenue growth due to the success of the company in attracting new fiber construction management projects (Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH) and regional fiber networks) awarded to clients as part of the Broadband Infrastructure program. In 2009 and 2010 CHR submitted 31 fiber construction grant applications for clients totaling $600 million of which 20 were awarded totaling $350 million in projects. The resulting revenue from engineering consulting activities on these projects totaled nearly $60 million during 2011-2013. Under his leadership during his ten year career at Martin Group / CHR, clients constructed over 50 FTTH projects ranging in size from $3 million to $100 million and three new statewide networks in Washington, New York and South Dakota. Additionally, his team developed, marketed and sold a new switch monitoring service in 2006 resulting in a new annual $300,000 revenue stream with greater than 100% profit margin. He also provided leadership to ILECs on regulatory and accounting activities.

Job Titles:

• Engineering Manager
• Partner

Steve Angerhofer began his career in 1990 as a Network Administrator for Hemar Insurance in Sioux Falls, SD. At Hemar Mr. Angerhofer was responsible for all Desktops, Servers, LAN (Local Area Network) and WAN (Wide Area Network) systems. This included sites in Sioux Falls, SD and St. Paul, MN. Mr. Angerhofer started his telecom career building some of the first WAN connections between the Hemar offices and their client Wells Fargo Bank (formally Norwest Bank). DataNet was later purchased by a local communications company call Dakota Telecom Group (DTG). DTG was an Independent Local Exchange Carrier offering voice, data and video service to residential and business subscribers in South Dakota. At DTG, Mr. Angerhofer was promoted to VP of Engineering and responsible for implementation, upgrades and changes to DTG's ISP network, moving the ISP from a minor piece of the DTG's network to a reliable, scalable and redundant network which DTG could use to build the future of the company. DTG's ISP services included Cable Modem, DSL, Dial-up Internet, web hosting and email services to more than 30,000 subscribers in South Dakota. Mr. Angerhofer was also responsible for all IT services within the DTG companies. DTG was later purchased by McLeodUSA. McLeodUSA was a nationwide communications carrier offering voice, data and video services to residential and business subscribers. At McLeodUSA, Mr. Angerhofer reported to the corporate offices in Cedar Rapids, IA as the Director of Data Development, while maintaining his existing responsibilities at the DTG subsidiary. As the Director of Data Development for McLeodUSA, Mr. Angerhofer worked on the product development team responsible for all IP related services. While at DTG Mr. Angerhofer also supervised the CLEC deployment for 26 communities across SD, MN & IA. Mr. Angerhofer left McLeod USA in 2000 to join Martin Group as its first IP engineer. In 2001 Mr. Angerhofer was promoted to Engineering Manager and then VP of Engineering. Mr. Angerhofer was the primary manager for projects dealing with Competitive Local Exchange Company (CLEC), Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH), and IPTV studies, designs and deployments at Martin Group. His team was also instrumental in the deployment of the first 40G Internet2 network in South Dakota. Martin Group merged with CHR Solutions in 2010, where Mr. Angerhofer was the Sr. Vice President Systems Engineering & Integration. At CHR Solutions Mr. Angerhofer managed a revenue budget of $8.5 million and 70+ personnel. While at CHR Mr. Angerhofer managed three practices Engineering, System Integration and In-Home-Wiring. Mr. Angerhofer's team of experts, at CHR Solutions, designed and managed the construction of middle-mile fiber networks across the US. In 2012, Mr. Angerhofer left CHR Solutions to be part of a new adventure at FARR Technologies. Joining a team of incredibly experienced people to help build a new company focused on Clients and assisting them in building Tomorrows Networks Today.