Northern Nevada Business Weekly: Tell us about your company its specialties, its history, the size of its staff:
Bruce Robertson: While I personally date from the Arpanet days, it wasn't commercially viable at that time. We started providing Internet access in Reno on the leading edge of commercial viability in 1993, and now we provide service throughout northern Nevada and most of California. We provide DSL, Metro Ethernet, broadband wireless ... if there's a delivery technology, we probably provide it. Our specialty has always been providing fantastic local service, and the highest speeds and best quality at a reasonable price. We currently have 13 employees.
NNBW: What role do you play in the company?
Robertson: I wear many hats, but primarily I lead the company in its future directions by developing new products and forming new partnerships.
NNBW: What kind of boss are you?
Robertson: The kind who asks his staff what kind of boss he is. I got, "pointy-haired" and "the kind who likes rubber band wars on Friday afternoons."
NNBW: How did you get into this profession?
Robertson: My last company needed Internet access in 1992. It was too expensive then, so I started offsetting the cost by selling access. That turned out to be the better business.
NNBW: What do you enjoy about it?
Robertson: Helping people, and listening to the hum of a happy network.
NNBW: What do you find annoying or frustrating about it?
Robertson: The hardware always does exactly what you told it to, not what you meant. Except when it doesn't even do that.
NNBW: If you could have had any other profession what would it have been? Why wasn't it your first choice?
Robertson: Pilot. I wanted to be a pilot as early as 13 or so, and I only managed to get my pilot's license in 2005. It didn't end up being my first choice because I got distracted with my love of computers, and spent far too much time messing with them rather than doing things like learning to fly.
NNBW: What effect has the changing economic environment had on your company?
Robertson: It's been a pretty rough couple of years, but things are improving now.
NNBW: How do you spend your time away from the office? Why are these activities important to you?
Robertson: Doing things with family, cycling, hiking, reading. Recently I'm get- ting back into playing music. They're important because I love these things, and they're not work.
NNBW: Do you have a favorite vacation memory?
Robertson: Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It's one of my favorite places in the world.
NNBW: Of all the things you learned from your parents, which do you feel was the most valuable?
Robertson: My sense of right and wrong, and my grammar.
NNBW: Who were your childhood heroes?
Robertson: Anyone involved in the space program, and Benny Goodman.
NNBW: What school activities and sports did you participate in?
Robertson: Band, and a little long-distance running.
NNBW: What's the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Robertson: Advice is worth what you pay for it.
NNBW: What is the one thing you most want people to remember about you?
Robertson: That I was a caring, honest and fun-loving person.
The basics:
Name: Bruce Robertson
Professional position: Great Basin Internet Services, president/CEO
How long have you been in this job? 16 years
How long in the profession? 16 years in the ISP business, 31 years working with computers and electronics
Education: Some college, self-educated
Best book you've read? A tie between "Otherland" by Tad Williams, and "Time Enough for Love" by Robert Heinlein
What's on your iPod? Fiona Ritchie, Loreena McKennit, Mamma Mia, Mediaeval Babes, Moulin Rouge
The best movie ever? "Star Wars" Episode IV. Or maybe "Moulin Rouge." Or maybe "Rent."
