Blue Sky Towers
has quietly become one of the industry’s most strategic and well-respected players. With steady growth in assets, personnel, a rapidly growing national reputation, and President & CEO Jim Rech at the helm for over 11 years, they are poised for continued success. The company’s expansion is rooted in what Rech described as a deliberate effort to build not just infrastructure, but trust. “We’ve established a sustainable platform for Blue Sky based upon trust and honesty,” he explained.
Backed by Peppertree Capital Management and driven by a team that has more than doubled in size over the last 30 months, Blue Sky leverages its deep zoning and site acquisition experience to focus on high-barrier markets, like New England and even the Caribbean. In 2024, Blue Sky finalized commitments for an additional $400M in capital for future growth.
The company’s approach to siting and portfolio building remains focused and tactical. “We are always in the middle of building a platform or adding to our existing platforms,” Rech noted. “And we are strategic and methodical about the assets we build and acquire…we want the highest quality sites available.”
Pumping Up the Pipeline
As demand for new towers and colocations climbs, so too does Blue Sky’s workload. “I haven’t seen this much activity for new colocations in years,” Rech said. “We exceeded our 2024 new lease revenue in the 1st Quarter of this year, and it hasn’t stopped. We are most grateful to all of our customers for their continued interest in our sites.”
The surge is attributed to strong leasing in highly desirable, hard-to-zone areas, which has helped fuel both organic growth and portfolio development. That activity, Rech emphasized, ties directly to the company’s focus. “Having these assets not only developed but acquired in certain markets has proven valuable for us on the lease-up.”
With new tower builds and lease-ups both trending upward, Blue Sky’s momentum is clear. “Our new build activity and our pipeline has grown dramatically over the past six to eight months,” Rech said.
Even as the company grows, Rech emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards. “We’re very particular about who we hire,” he said. “We try to be intentional with our additions, making sure they fit our customer centric culture.”
In discussing Blue Sky’s diversified sourcing strategy, Rech pointed to five key channels: Carrier build-to-suits, speculative siting, developer partnerships, M&A activity, and traditional broker relationships. “It’s really a combination of all,” he said. “We source opportunities through several different fronts nationwide.” He explained that while build-to-suit towers for the carriers make up a significant amount of business, speculative and developer-driven deals have added valuable diversity to their portfolio, as well as acquiring existing telecom infrastructure including towers, rooftops, and ground leases. “When you can do those five things well, you’re building very high growth assets.”
Team, Talent, and Looking Ahead
To meet the moment, Blue Sky has added key personnel across leadership and operations. “We hired a General Manager, Jon Crowell, who was formerly at DISH/Boost Mobile,” Rech said. “Tara Rand is an industry veteran and now our Vice President of Business Development & Strategic Partnerships. We also hired Jonathan Angel, a 20+ year industry expert. Additionally, we have recently restructured the organization to further ensure operational efficiencies as we continue to evolve.”
The company continues to recognize longtime contributors like Executive Vice President Lizaida Ramos, who Rech said “has done a remarkable job in our Southeast and Caribbean markets. Her hard work and commitment have opened up so many opportunities for our company.”
The broader macro environment has also played a role in shaping company operations. Rech acknowledged the rising cost pressures and supply chain unpredictability. “We do a great job of tracking our materials well in advance to ensure we meet our customers’ needs,” he said. “But it’s no easy feat as of late.”
Still, Rech remains very confident in Blue Sky’s direction. “We’re going to continue doing what we’re doing,” he said. “We are focused, determined, and have great respect for our customers. We will keep building in high growth, zoning protected areas.”
He also reemphasized the importance of trust and consistency with our carrier partners. “I think they trust us. I think they know what they’re going to get with us,” Rech said. “We’re predictable…in a good way.”
And while the Blue Sky assets may get most of the attention, Rech knows the real story is behind the scenes. “Our success is due to the outstanding team that we have,” he said. “I can attribute everything to the team we have and their unwavering dedication to Blue Sky, our customers, and our combined success.”
Looking ahead, Rech sees more of the same in the best possible way: steady expansion, sound strategy, and strong customer and vendor partnerships. “We’re going to continue to work hard, deliver, and be a valuable partner,” he said. “That’s what we’ve built this company on, and that’s what will keep driving us forward.”
To learn more about Blue Sky Towers, visit https://www.blueskytower.com/.
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