We are thrilled to welcome Matt Fowler as Vision Net’s new Account Executive! Matt grew up in Monroe, WA, and moved to Montana in the mid-1990s. He began his career in sales with CellularOne, where he developed his skills in customer engagement and relationship building. In 2001, he joined Verizon Wireless as a Business Account Executive, dedicating nearly two decades to the company. During his time at Verizon, he primarily managed Public Sector accounts across Montana and Idaho, creating tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of government clients. After Verizon, he transitioned to Extreme Networks, a competitor of Cisco and Juniper, where he served as a Government Account Manager. In this role, Matt oversaw accounts in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon, focusing on delivering advanced networking solutions to public sector organizations. Most recently, Matt has taken on the role of Senior Account Executive at Zayo, working on the Priority Acquisitions team. In this position, he leveraged his extensive experience in telecommunications and networking to drive strategic growth and enhance client relationships across various sectors.
In his personal life, Matt has been happily married to his wonderful partner, Michele, for 20 years. Together, they are blessed with three amazing children: McKinzie, 25; Madison, 19; and Cole, 18. They reside in Florence, Montana, where they have created lasting memories in the only home they’ve shared throughout their two decades together.
What attracted you to Vision Net?
I am drawn to Vision Net for several compelling reasons. Firstly, I appreciate that it is a small, Montana-based company, which resonates with my values and commitment to supporting local businesses. Throughout my career, I have sold in five different states, but I find the relationships I build with the people of Montana to be the most rewarding. Moreover, I have been consistently impressed by the professionalism and dedication of the Vision Net team members I have interacted with. Their commitment to providing innovative and reliable telecommunications solutions is evident in every engagement. Finally, I am eager to contribute to a company that is not only focused on growth but also committed to achieving success in a principled manner. Working with Vision Net aligns perfectly with my desire to be part of a thriving organization that prioritizes integrity and community impact.
What are some of the responsibilities you have in your role?
As a new hire at Vision Net, my responsibilities as an Account Executive include acquiring new clients and managing relationships with existing ones. I am focused on driving sales growth by identifying and pursuing business opportunities through lead generation, networking, and cold outreach. My role involves managing the entire sales cycle, from the initial contact to closing deals, ensuring that I provide a seamless experience for clients. I also prioritize cultivating strong relationships with clients to ensure their satisfaction, address any concerns, and explore opportunities for upselling or cross-selling our services. Collaboration is key in my position; I work closely with the VP of Sales and our Engineers to develop effective sales strategies and achieve assigned sales goals. Staying informed about industry trends and market conditions is essential to effectively position our products and services. Additionally, I maintain accurate documentation of all sales activities in Vision Net’s Customer Resource Management (CRM) platform, which helps in managing my pipeline of qualified leads.
What are you most excited about in your new role here?
Overall, I am excited to contribute to a company that values integrity and community impact while striving for growth and success in the telecommunications industry.
What hobbies or activities do you enjoy outside of work?
I have a variety of hobbies and activities that I enjoy outside of work. Soccer has always been a deep passion for me; I grew up playing competitively and continued my journey at Seattle University, where I played in college. After moving to Montana, I remained active in the sport and took the initiative to open the first indoor soccer arena in Western Montana, known as MISA (Missoula Indoor Soccer Arena), in 2013. Currently, I play with and help operate an over-40 soccer club called the Missoula Old Boys. I also love other outdoor activities that Montana has to offer, including skiing, hiking, fishing, and boating.
What’s the best place you’ve traveled to and why?
That’s a hard one. I haven’t done a lot of traveling outside of the United States. I think I am going to have to say Mexico. We took a family trip that was just incredible. The weather, where we stayed, and that time in my family’s life is what made it so special. I might have said Hawaii, but I almost died there a couple of times (I’ll save those stories for another time).
What is your favorite thing about living in Montana?
I have already mentioned many of the reasons I love living in Montana, but to add to it, it’s the people, the beauty, the seasons, and quite simply the way of life. I moved back to the Seattle area for a couple of years from 1999-2001. I couldn’t get back to Montana quick enough!
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
If I could have a superpower, it would be to teleport. I could quickly and easily see all of the places this amazing world has to offer (and for no cost!), connect with family and friends no matter where they are located, and quickly try to help those in need.
Please join us in welcoming Matt to the Vision Net family!
