Socket Internet Named One of the Nation’s Fastest Growing Companies by Inc Magazine

October 18, 2001 - Socket Internet, based in Columbia, MO, has been named one of America's entrepreneurial growth leaders by Inc magazine, which released its annual ranking of the Inc 500, the nation's fastest-growing private companies based on sales growth over the previous five years.

Socket achieved some 1,852% increase in sales from 1996 to 2000. Socket was established in 1995 as a local Internet access provider offering services in Mid-Missouri. Today, Socket’s network spans eight (8) states providing data networking products such as Wide Area Networking (WANs), Virtual Private Networking (VPNs), dedicated circuits, web hosting and E-mail Hosting and employs over 70 people in mid-Missouri.

“Our growth is driven by our focus on the customer. Our entire network technology is built to service people. It is both our customers and employees that make us go,” said George Pfenenger, CEO of Socket. “This prestigious honor shows the spectacular results that may be achieved when a company places people first.”

“Socket joins an elite group of growth companies that are making a significant contribution to the U.S. economy” stated George Gendron, Inc editor-in-chief, “The Inc 500 gives America a window on the future - which companies will be the Microsofts and Timberlands of tomorrow.”

Each of Socket’s four partners are involved in day-to-day management of the companies operations. They are: George Pfenenger, CEO; Don Howser, President; John Dupuy, Chief Technology Officer; and Carson Coffman, Vice President, Business Development. Together they provide a balance of leadership for their employees to follow. The owners attribute the company’s success to simple values; working as a team, respecting the individual and maintaining momentum toward a common vision, while learning from mistakes.