Summer has officially started here in Southeastern Mass and the OpenCape team is really enjoying the warm weather and sunshine! June was another busy month, with new customer installations, Opening Day for the Cotuit Kettleers, work anniversaries, meetings with and presentations to leaders in the Commonwealth, the second year of OpenCape's scholarship program, and more. Read more about these developments in our June 2022 newsletter!
With Gratitude, Steve
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OPENCAPE CELEBRATES WORK MILESTONES IN SALES
AND ENGINEERING DEPARTMENTS
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Gary Farrenkopf is celebrating TEN YEARS with OpenCape! Gary joined the OpenCape team in 2012 after a long tenure as an equipment installer and lineman at Bell Atlantic (AKA New England Telephone/Verizon). Gary was originally brought on to oversee the construction of OpenCape's middle mile network after we received a Broadband Technology Opportunity Program grant award, and he currently serves as an Outside Plant Engineer on our world-class engineering team. In his free time, you will most likely find Gary riding his motorcycle or working in the garden.
Gary is an invaluable member of the OpenCape team, and his professional expertise is one reason why our network is so resilient. We are incredibly grateful to be celebrating ten years of service with Gary who works hard to keep the OpenCape network up and running every day.
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Steve Smith/Smitty, just celebrated two years as OpenCape's Director of Sales and Business Development. Smitty is a self-proclaimed technology evangelist, with over 40 years of telecommunications experience. Smitty has been coming to the Cape since he was a child and always wanted to move here; he and his family finally took the plunge in 2018 when they purchased a 200-year-old farmhouse in Orleans with a public boat ramp at the end of the street. Smitty's favorite pastime is relaxing with a Hog Island beer and a cigar on his front porch while watching the boats go by.
Smitty was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the Cape Cod Technology Council, and we could not be prouder of him and his commitment to bringing affordable, reliable, high-speed internet to businesses and residents in our community!
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CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE, GARY AND SMITTY! |
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OPENCAPE CONNECTS POLHEMUS SAVERY DASILVA
OpenCape recently built out a new 100% fiber connection to Polhemus Savery DaSilva (PSD), an integrated architecture and construction firm in East Harwich. The firm has more than 25 years' experience designing and building custom homes and civic/resort buildings here on the Cape and across coastal southeastern New England. Reliable high-speed internet is important to the PSD team as they transfer large design files between offices and telecommunicate with clients across the country. We are excited to welcome this storied organization to the rapidly growing OpenCape family! |
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DR. MARCUS SWANN/DIRECT PAY DENTAL CARE CONNECTS TO OPENCAPE'S 100% FIBER NETWORK |
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OPENCAPE MEETS WITH GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE CHRIS DOUGHTY |
Access to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet is not a partisan issue, and OpenCape continues to advocate to bring better connectivity to our communities with members of both parties. As part of our ongoing effort to educate leadership in the Commonwealth about internet connectivity in our underserved region, we met last month with the team working with Attorney General and Democratic candidate for governor, Maura Healey. This month, OpenCape CEO and Executive Director Steve Johnston met with Chris Doughty, Wrentham businessman and Republican candidate for governor, to discuss regional broadband priorities. Key takeaways from the meeting include:
- Massachusetts should develop a dedicated broadband plan to more effectively leverage once in a generation infrastructure funds.
- Broadband continues to be drastically underfunded in our region, hindering telehealth, economic development, and remote learning.
- With other states investing heavily to help bridge the digital divide, the Commonwealth should make substantial investments to ensure our sustainability in a competitive marketplace.
Interested in learning more about internet connectivity and how it impacts the way we live, work and play? Contact OpenCape today and we will be happy to answer your questions or schedule a presentation for your group/network/committee. |
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OPENCAPE IN THE NEWS: CONNECTING THE COTUIT KETTLEERS/LOWELL PARK |
We were thrilled to help the Cotuit Kettleers kick off their 75th anniversary season with a new 100% fiber internet connection at Lowell Park, which will allow them to stream games seamlessly in high definition, connecting players to scouts, families and fans across the country! If you have not yet visited this amazing location, make plans to attend a game NOW!
Photo Credit: Cotuit Kettleers
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DO YOU HAVE A PASSION FOR TECHNOLOGY?
OPENCAPE IS HIRING FOR MULTIPLE POSITIONS!
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Do you want to be part of the growing local team that is providing a choice in reliable high-speed internet in our region? Do you have a passion for technology and connecting people in our community? This is the opportunity you've been waiting for! OpenCape is hiring for several positions in our Barnstable-based office. Read more about job openings at OpenCape HERE on our website, and call or email us for more information! |
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OPENCAPE AWARDS $25,000 IN SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING |
T he Mission Committee of OpenCape's Board of Directors was pleased to award $25,000 in scholarship funding to 25 local students at 10 regional high schools, a 66% increase over the $15,000 awarded last year. Applicants were asked to write short essays outlining the impact that broadband networks have had on their education and will have on their future, and they had plenty to share! Skyla Rimple, a Mashpee High School graduate who aspires to a career in urban planning, writes “When planning future cities, broadband networks are what will power them so it will be important for them to be located strategically so they are accessible, affordable and resilient to inclement weather.” Nauset graduate Jeremiah Pranga explained his desire to become a consultant to help small businesses on Cape Cod, saying "I can use broadband networking to improve communication, use new technology, and for marketing a business."
“The selection process was surprisingly tough,” said OpenCape Board Chairman John Campbell. “We received many strong applications from across the region. In the end, we looked at a combination of factors including demonstrable financial need, academic achievement, and initiative. The students who were chosen had applications that came through very strongly in all these areas,” said Campbell.
CONGRATULATIONS TO SKYLA, JEREMIAH, AND THE ENTIRE CLASS OF 2022!
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THANK YOU, CHATHAM WORKS, FOR THE REFERRAL! |
Our friends at Chatham Works will enjoy a $500 credit toward their internet service for referring a new business who recently connected to the OpenCape 100% fiber network.
As a co-working space, Chatham Works needs 100% uptime. When an internet outage hit North Chatham recently, Chatham Works stayed up and running with their reliable fiber internet connection from OpenCape. Visit this innovative space today if you haven't already done so and experience the OpenCape difference for yourself!
Do you have a friend or business who could benefit from better internet connectivity? Click here to learn more or contact us to learn more about our referral program today!
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OFFICE CLOSURE: MONDAY JULY 4, 2022 |
OpenCape's offices will be closed on Monday July 4 in honor of the Fourth of July. Please contact our Network Operations Center to report any issues or to log a service ticket: 888.744.5080
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