Accelerating the Build

Johannes Maassen is the founder of Collaborative Synergy, a telecom and utility infrastructure field engineering firm known for precision fieldwork, complex permitting solutions, and make-ready engineering that clears the way for broadband construction. A hands-on leader with well over two decades of industry experience, Johannes built the company from the ground up after recognizing a critical market gap: few firms were willing or able to tackle the intricate, and inconsistently regulated work that happens before shovels hit the ground. With an MBA in Finance from California State University, San Bernardino, and early career roles at Southern California Edison and Deutsche Bank, Johannes brings a rare analytical lens to a field traditionally dominated by boots-on-the-ground pragmatism. His career pivot into telecom engineering began at AT&T, where, as a longtime contractor, he inspected critical network infrastructure and managed AT&T contractor bids. After years of consulting work, he launched his own business in 2010 to specialize in pole loading analysis — at a time when few wanted to learn the cumbersome software or meet escalating utility standards.

Carl Gross is a seasoned telecommunications and engineering professional with nearly five decades of experience in outside plant (OSP) construction, fiber optics, and project management. Beginning his career as an electrician apprentice and construction technician, Carl has held progressively senior roles at companies including Qwest, Rio Networks, Network Power Solutions, CHC Consulting, and TrueNet Communications. He has led large-scale infrastructure projects across the mainland U.S., Hawaiian Islands, and Canada, overseeing OSP/ISP design, fiber and copper installation, make-ready engineering, permitting, QA inspections, and subcontractor training. Carl’s deep technical knowledge, field leadership, and project execution expertise have made him a go-to resource for complex builds and cross-functional coordination in telecom infrastructure. He currently serves as a Project Manager at TrueNet Communications, a Fujitsu company.

Tim Bagshaw is a dedicated telecommunications professional specializing in Passive Optical Networks (PON) for Fiber-to-the-X (FTTx) environments, with a background in Hybrid Fiber Coax design. With extensive experience in the industry, Tim is well-versed in the complexities of network design and implementation, ensuring efficient and reliable solutions for both residential and commercial applications. As a seasoned OSP Project Manager for Collaborative Synergy, Tim brings over 20 years of expertise in fiber network design, permitting, and utility coordination. He leads a team responsible for designing FTTx solutions for both residential and business deployments, managing projects from inception to completion.

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