DIGITAL WEST TURNS 10 IN '09

May 5, 2009

Supporting Local Success on a Global Scale

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA – Ten years ago, from a space not much bigger than a closet, Digital West Networks Inc. (DWNI) began serving local businesses with website hosting, email, and high speed internet connections. Celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year, Digital West has grown into a premier provider of a full range of data center services, from web hosting to colocation to fully managed servers on an international scale.

Local success stories reported by Digital West clients such as Level Studios, Mindbody Online, and Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes brought the demand for more space. In 2005, Digital West designed and installed the largest "carrier neutral" facility on the Central Coast. Today, in partnership with Cal Poly, plans are being drawn up for a brand new facility ten times that size with "green" energy reduction techniques built in.

If technical expertise is the engine driving Digital West's success, then exceptional customer service is the fuel. Sean Collier of Shopatron says, "Digital West has provided quick and complete assistance at every stage of our growth." His comment typifies dozens more from Digital West's impressive roster of clients.

"What we have accomplished in 10 years exceeds even my expectations," said Tim Williams, DWNI's founder and CEO. "But once I realized that this town is great because of the passionate people who make it great, I made it part of my company's mission to contribute. And that's when things really started to happen."

President of the 211 Hotline Board of Directors for a second term, Williams donates Internet access, technical support, and telephone services so that this critical nonprofit can provide round-the-clock response to troubled members of our community. Other nonprofits supported by Digital West include Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Luis Obispo, Greenspace, The Cambria Land Trust, SLO Art Center, SLO Literacy Council, SLO Women's Shelter, United Way of SLO, and Woods Humane Society.

Williams also serves on the San Luis Obispo County Air Transport Alliance; has served on Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo de Tolosa's board for five years; is a former board member of the SLO Chamber of Commerce; and is part of a Cuesta College Advisory Board that guides the technology department's curriculum choices. Digital West recently donated $5,000 to the new Hearst Cancer Research Center and is exploring a partnership with Cal Poly to deploy a satellite data center on the campus.

"Two key staff members were brought on board just in the last six months," said Williams. "Bob Fasulkey is our new Director of Engineering leading a dynamic team that has already rolled out a host of new and expanded services," Williams continued. "We also have a new Director of Sales and Marketing, Al Ferguson, who has been building strong relationships in every sector of our community and is managing the launch of our re-branding and marketing efforts.”

In 2006, Williams was named in the Tribune's "Top 20 Under 40" and in 2008, he made Pacific Coast Business Times' Top 40 Under 40. He is both a Cuesta College and Cal Poly graduate and was chosen as one of Cuesta’s 2009 Honored Alumni.

"My philosophy may seem to some like a sort of an old fashioned approach," he said. "That if we support our community, it will help us succeed. But I believe it. I feel its one reason we’re still here and still growing."