The following summary has been condensed for length and readability. To listen to the full discussion, click here. This episode is sponsored by intelegrate and VETRO FiberMap.
In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, host Pete Pizzutillo is joined by three leaders from Bonfire Infrastructure Group—CEO Brian Hollister, CMO Nick Dinsmoor, and Director of Business Development Drew Pappas—for a discussion on broadband deployment, mission-driven work, and the power of creativity in community education.
At its core, Bonfire Infrastructure Group is focused on designing, building, and operating sustainable broadband networks in underserved and hard-to-reach communities. But as the conversation reveals, what truly sets Bonfire apart is their people-first philosophy and innovative approach to industry education, culminating in a unique initiative: the Broadband Mystery Tour.
Founded nearly a decade ago, Bonfire Infrastructure Group has evolved from a construction and engineering firm into a full-spectrum broadband solutions provider. Their focus is primarily on fiber deployments, though they also integrate fixed wireless where appropriate. The company works with both public and private entities to develop customized broadband strategies that meet the unique needs of each community.
As CEO Brian Hollister explains, the Bonfire team begins by helping communities assess their connectivity landscape and goals, guiding them through business modeling, financing, engineering, and even long-term operations. In some cases, Bonfire helps municipalities build and manage open access networks that can be wholesaled to multiple ISPs, promoting affordability and competition for end users.
“We believe every American deserves affordable and reliable broadband,” says Hollister. “That’s our guiding mission. And we’ll work with any community or client that shares that vision—provided we can sit across the table from our peers and align on long-term goals.”
That alignment is key. Bonfire doesn’t just offer solutions—they build relationships. And the team makes it clear that the path to broadband success is rarely easy. Projects often take years to materialize, involve multiple stakeholders, and require steady collaboration from planning through execution.
To bring fresh energy and engagement to broadband events, Bonfire launched an original concept in 2024: the Broadband Mystery Tour, a hands-on, Scooby-Doo-themed educational experience that blends fun with learning.
Structured around the broadband lifecycle, the Mystery Tour challenges participants to solve fictional “cases” related to real-world broadband issues. Each stage—Planning, Engineering, Construction, and Operations—is presented as a “mystery” to be solved through collaborative exercises, decision-making scenarios, and interactive clues.
Participants might build a basic business plan using demographic and financial data in the “Case of the Missing Business Plan,” or determine the right network configuration in the “Case of the Broken Network.” There’s even a round inspired by Texas Hold’em—called the “Broadband Flush”—to emphasize operations strategy.
As Pappas explains, the Mystery Tour isn’t just a gimmick—it’s a hands-on way to demystify the complexities of broadband deployment and foster peer-to-peer engagement.
“You’d be surprised how much people open up when you’re working through a challenge together, having fun, and not stuck in another PowerPoint session,” says Pappas. “We’ve seen folks with decades of experience share their knowledge with newcomers, and new industry entrants ask questions they might not have felt comfortable asking in a traditional panel.”
The light-hearted Scooby-Doo theme adds an element of nostalgia and humor, but the takeaway is serious: broadband is complicated, and collaboration is essential.
Throughout the conversation, the Bonfire team frequently returns to one core principle: they care. In fact, as Nick Dinsmoor jokingly puts it, the company has “G.A.S.”—an internal motto that stands for Give A Sht*.
Bonfire’s entire organizational culture is built around this mindset. They seek partners, clients, and employees who are mission-aligned, humble, curious, and committed to seeing projects through even when things get tough. Hollister notes that ecosystems only succeed when everyone is invested—not just in their individual role, but in the success of the whole project.
The team also doesn’t shy away from complexity. They’ve taken on some of the most difficult deployment scenarios in the country—from mountainous terrain to politically sensitive public projects. But rather than looking for shortcuts, they lean into problem-solving and relationship-building.
“It’s not about being the smartest person in the room,” says Hollister. “It’s about being the one who’s willing to listen, learn, and stay in the fight when it matters.”
So far, the Broadband Mystery Tour has been featured at several regional events, including CBAN and FBA regional shows. With more stops planned in cities like Denver, Spokane, and Scottsdale, the Bonfire team hopes to continue expanding its reach—both to educate more stakeholders and to inspire others in the broadband space to rethink how they communicate and engage.
Nick Dinsmoor adds that part of the goal is to challenge the industry to break free from repetitive conference formats and think more creatively. “We want to encourage other companies and leaders to innovate—not just in their products, but in how they bring people together.”
The Mystery Tour has already proven to be an effective platform for both educating new players in the space and strengthening partnerships among seasoned providers. By blending technical insights with interactive collaboration, Bonfire is helping build a more connected—and more informed—broadband community.
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