Faces Behind The FiBER: Rob Johnson

1. Tell us a little about your background and what led you to NOVOS FiBER?

I’ve been in telecom since I got my BSEE from UT in 1998. In that time, I’ve done planning, building, operating, and decommissioning of platforms, networks, and services that span copper, cable, wireless, and fiber, as a provider and a vendor, with the biggest companies and with several startups. Prior to helping start NOVOS FiBER, I got another fiber company funded and going, and I came to NOVOS FiBER because I wanted to do it again.

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2. What do you enjoy most about your role at NOVOS FiBER?

It’s definitely the people. Across all of the things I’ve done in my career, and all the people I’ve done that with, NOVOS FiBER has by far the best crew I’ve ever been a part of. That goes from the fund and the leadership all the way down to the part time interns. It’s a lot easier to put in the long hours a startup requires when you like the folks you’re doing it with.

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3. What’s the culture like at NOVOS FiBER?

It’s great! There is a real sense of shared purpose and commitment throughout the organization. There is none of that “not my job”-ism that you find at other places, and there’s no cutthroat competition that is all about getting over on your peers. Instead, the focus is on the mission and the customers with everyone pitching in where needed to get the job done.

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4. What makes you proud to work for NOVOS FiBER?

Outside of the great people we’ve hired and the culture we’ve built, I’m very proud of how we’ve executed on our plans. Having done this a few times—and consulted on a few more—I am amazed at what our small team has done in such a short amount of time, with so little waste or loss along the way. I really think we’ve set a high bar for how to build fiber to the home and provide residential internet.

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5. Outside of work, how do you like to spend your time?

Wait… we’re allowed to go outside?!? Seriously, we do work hard, but when I’m not working, I’m typically at home spending time with my family.

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