Over the past four years, Glenn Zerbe pushed transformation to the forefront at Nuvera, a telecommunications company in New Ulm that operates across southern Minnesota. In a time of rapidly changing demand for internet service, Zerbe helped spearhead the Nuvera Gig Cities project in 2021 and is investing $200 million to build a new fiber network in nearly every community it serves. The largest infrastructure project and investment in company history, it kicked off in 2022 with construction in more than 12 cities. Today, Nuvera’s investment and new fiber network is bringing connectivity into at least 14 communities. “In today’s world, it means getting that remote job opportunity, expanded access to health care through virtual visits, and empowering businesses with the connectivity it takes to run a thriving business,” says Joanna Hjelmeland, president of Next Level Strategy.