At Bandwidth IG, we’re on a mission to connect the world’s most innovative companies to mission-critical digital infrastructure through dark fiber. In order to truly make positive waves in the industry, we know we need more than purpose-built infrastructure and quality offerings; we also need to prove that we’re customer obsessed by making Bandwidth IG home to some of the most adaptable and accountable, customer-service oriented individuals in the industry.
We’d like to introduce you to one of the newest employees making a difference for our customers at Bandwidth IG, Patton Lochridge. As Bandwidth IG’s first chief commercial officer, he oversees business development, sales, and marketing efforts. Patton’s lengthy experience in the digital infrastructure industry has already proven instrumental as we continue to develop dark fiber networks for data centers and enterprises in the San Francisco Bay Area, Greater Atlanta and Greater Portland. Let’s get to know Patton better!
You’re the first Chief Commercial Officer for Bandwidth IG. How does it feel to be the first person to hold such an important role?
I’m excited to be the first CCO, and it’s great to be in charge of that side of the business. Bandwidth IG is a small company, and that means we all do a lot of things. Some days I’m CCO, some days I’m operations or finance. At larger companies, people tend to focus only on what their job description entails. Here, everyone contributes to growth and customer satisfaction which could be a wide variety of tasks. We are growing up from the startup phase into a true regional dark fiber company, and I’m excited to be part of that.
To you, what is the role of a CCO and why is it important?
In addition to driving growth, a key role of the CCO is being an evangelist for our organization’s mission and purpose in the marketplace. One of my most important roles has been helping the market understand we’re an infrastructure provider and not a telecom provider. Both are extremely important, but different. We see telecom providers as being responsible for things like making sure office internet remains operational. As a provider of mission-critical infrastructure, we’re part of the bigger picture making sure organizations have the scalable connectivity to transmit massive amounts of data in between data hubs. What we do empowers new Artificial Intelligence and IoT-based applications and drives digital transformation. We have a very unique value proposition and I believe we’ll be far more efficient when the market truly understands that’s what we do.
What do you like most about working in the data center / telecom industry?
It’s an exciting industry to be part of because it’s growing and changing so quickly and there’s a rapid evolution to digitize and automate everything. In particular, I enjoy being a part of this industry at Bandwidth IG because we’re building something physical. I like developing these dark fiber networks in the San Francisco Bay Area, Greater Atlanta and Greater Portland for our customers. It’s unique and doesn’t exist in the marketplace. We’re solving huge problems for companies in the world, and it’s rewarding to be part of those projects that impact millions of people.
Did you always want to be in the digital infrastructure industry?
I always knew I wanted to build something. My first job out of college was working for a construction company. We were the first “green builders” in southwest Colorado, and I liked being a part of creating something and doing it in a different way. Now, I’m part of doing that here at Bandwidth IG. We’ve found a gap in the marketplace and are building something new to meet the need.
What are you most looking forward to accomplishing in your role?
I look forward to the day when we can look back and reflect on how we changed something. We are building some very interesting dark fiber networks. To be able to look back and say, “we totally transformed that market” will be rewarding because we will have created something that didn’t exist, but was badly needed. From an internal perspective, I look forward to helping everyone grow in their careers to become more well-rounded individuals because it will make us, and what we can collectively do for our customers, better.
Do you have a leader you look up to?
My dad has always been my number one role model. I was lucky to have an awesome dad who helped along the way. He gave me a lot of guidance that has stayed with me.
I’m also a fan of the philosophical system of stoicism. It boils down to what you can and can’t influence and helps you understand what you should worry about. So much of what distracts people is completely out of our control.
When you’re not working, what do you enjoy doing?
Anything that keeps me outside is what I like to do! My wife Claire and I love mountain biking and skiing—skiing is an obsession and we spend a disproportionate amount of time in the winter skiing or getting somewhere to ski. We also have three girls ranging in age from 3 to 10, which keeps us busy.
To end with something fun, what’s something your coworkers and customers may not know about you?
I play guitar and I like writing songs, usually about something I’m doing in the moment. My therapy is to pick up the guitar and to sing something silly about what I’m doing. I have a buddy who does the same. We sometimes record videos and send them back to each other. We used to come up with jingles and make light of situations with music. It’s a great way to manage stress!