Ryan Punt re-elected as INDATEL enters new phase of growth

SDN Communications CEO Ryan Punt recently began another three-year term on the INDATEL Board of Managers, where he was also elected vice president in June.

Punt’s continued involvement builds on a relationship between SDN and INDATEL that stretches back more than two decades to the organization’s inception in 2002, when SDN was one of its founding members.

What began primarily as a way for independent telecommunications providers to collectively market their networks has since evolved into a successful for-profit business. Today, INDATEL brings together the networks and expertise of providers across the country to build national connectivity opportunities.

SDN is one of INDATEL’s 17 equity owners, and one of six original members holding equal majority shares.

“INDATEL’s formation, growth and success has been important for SDN from day one,” Punt said.

Early in his tenure as a sales leader at SDN, Punt leveraged INDATEL and its member relationships to help fulfill deals for SDN.

“I believed in their mission all along,” Punt said.

Justin Forte, CEO of INDATEL, has known Punt since his own early career with the organization. Forte joined INDATEL in 2016 as its fourth employee and worked his way from sales into a VP role before leaving the organization and later returning as CEO in 2022.

Forte said Punt’s sales expertise remains one of his greatest strengths as a leader.

“He and I were very like-minded when it came to the way we looked at the world through revenue generation,” Forte said.

While many leaders in the telecommunications industry come from operations or engineering backgrounds, Forte said Punt’s strength has always been sales and revenue generation — experience that translated naturally into his roles with both SDN and INDATEL.

“He’s a natural leader,” Forte said. “He commands respect, is very well thought of, engaging and direct. He’s always willing to ask the hard questions that will move things forward.”

The seven-member Board of Managers plays an active role in INDATEL’s governance and strategic direction. In addition to his sales expertise, Punt also brings insights on people and culture.

Forte said Punt has been a great resource for him on those topics, including questions surrounding organizational culture, employee development, compensation and leadership.

But the value of serving on the board goes both ways. Sitting around the table with leaders of other independent telecommunications providers has given Punt invaluable perspective on issues that arise in the industry.

“One of the most valuable parts of being associated with INDATEL and being on the board is the visionary and strategic discussions that take place with the other board members,” Punt said.

Those conversations cover everything from systems, applications and business processes to customers and sales strategies. INDATEL members often face similar challenges despite operating in different states and markets, giving board members an opportunity to compare approaches and learn from one another.

Forte says those relationships are valuable because Punt and his fellow board members don’t have to operate in isolation.

“Everything in this industry is just weird enough that you need people around that you trust and can call on,” he said.

Those connections have also created tangible opportunities for SDN.

Punt points to Kelly Dyer, whose term on the INDATEL board recently ended, as one example. Punt first met Dyer through INDATEL and developed a strong professional relationship. That relationship ultimately helped lead to an opportunity for SDN to take over management of the Colorado Communications Transport (CCT) network.

“That’s the driver behind why we were offered to take that on,” Punt said. “It would not have happened without the relationship developed through INDATEL.”

Punt has also watched INDATEL grow significantly over the years. Early on, the team was tackling capital calls as the business was being built. Today, INDATEL is returning dividends to its equity owners while continuing to expand.

The organization is also growing its presence in the federal market, where it can leverage its network of independent providers to pursue opportunities with government agencies nationwide.

Punt said INDATEL has already begun receiving its first federal orders, marking an exciting new phase of growth. As he begins his new term and role as vice president, that challenge is front of mind.

“How do we help Justin and the team craft strategic sales initiatives in each one of those federal departments?” Punt said.

The federal market is one part of a larger opportunity Punt sees for INDATEL. The organization is continuing to grow in the carrier and wholesale space while also looking at opportunities in the enterprise market.

For Punt, those developments show just how far INDATEL has come since its early days.

“It’s a testament to what INDATEL has built,” Punt said.

That growth also means an increasing time commitment for the Board of Managers. What was once primarily an annual meeting and strategic retreat has expanded to multiple in-person meetings, virtual meetings, industry events and regular conversations among board members.

Punt says the time is more than worthwhile because of the opportunities now in front of INDATEL and its member owners.

His continued involvement is also a reflection of the trust he has earned among his peers.

“Ryan gives back to INDATEL, and he has a big heart,” Forte said. “The fact that he’s volunteered, been reelected, earned the trust of his peers — that’s probably the ultimate compliment you could pay someone.”

For Punt, the work represents a continuation of something SDN has been part of since INDATEL’s earliest days: bringing independent telecommunications providers together to create opportunities, share expertise and expand their reach.