Star City Six: Tim Smith
NebraskaLink has constructed a state-of-the-art, high speed fiber optic network to connect business, industry and government entities across the state of Nebraska. Offering a full suite of communications services, including Ethernet transport and direct Internet access, NebraskaLink continues its aggressive network expansion while setting a new standard for reliability. Tim Smith is the Network Architect at NebraskaLink (www.nebraskalink.com).
How did you get started in the business? – While I was in college I interned for Diode Communications, a telecommunications service provider in Diller, NE.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – Trying to keep up with technology and learn about all the things that they don’t teach you in college when I first entered into the telecommunications sector. A lot of the time it was like drinking from a fire hose. It was very overwhelming, but molded me into the person I am today.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Being able to provide broadband solutions to rural customers who’ve never had access to these types of services other than dial-up. We’ve been able to open up a whole new realm of possibilities to people in these communities.
Tell us a little about your family. – My wife Alli and I met in Lincoln. She works in the operations department at Cornhusker Bank here in town. We have a 6 month old daughter named Aubrey; she has been a true blessing to our family.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – Making the decision to move to Lincoln from my previous home in Diller, NE to be closer to my future wife and taking a chance with a new up-and-coming company named NebraskaLink.
What are you the most proud of? – Being a good husband and father. To me, that’s much more important than anything I could do in my career.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – Treat employees and peers the way you want to be treated.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Determined.
If you had a theme song, what would it be? – The Magnum, P.I. theme song!
Which talent would you most like to have? – I would love to have a photographic memory; I think that could be so useful in anything that you do.
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – Novelist. It would be interesting to write for the purpose of entertaining others.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – The last book that I read was The President’s Shadow by Brad Meltzer. I am a huge history buff and really enjoy secret society mystery thrillers.
What is your favorite movie? – The Skulls.
What is your favorite TV show? – Mad Men.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Dwight D. Eisenhower
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – You can reach me by email at tim.smith@nebraskalink.com or by phone at (402) 817-0418. I also encourage everyone to visit the NebraskaLink website at www.nebraskalink.com to learn more about our company and the work we are doing in Nebraska.