JOSEPH D. FAIL ENGINEERING COMPANY, INC.

Our Story

Joseph D. Fail Engineering Company, Inc. was founded in 1967 by Joseph D. Fail to provide support and engineering services to local operating telephone companies. For decades, our team has prepared network designs, evaluated financial models and business plans, and assisted with outside plant design and engineering.  

We have also worked with a variety of clients on loan and grant applications for middle and last mile fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP) projects, including the installation and setup of voice soft switches, video headends and more. 

We attribute much of our success to key partnerships with vendors, distributors, accounting firms and legal/regulatory firms.  

Our longstanding partnership with Fibersmith on several previous projects led us to officially join forces with the company in July 2023. Fibersmith’s acquisition of JDFEC brings more than 50 years of expertise to Fibersmith’s operations and enables our companies to scale into new markets and utilize the skills of both sets of talented employees.

Our Team

  • Bob Fenlason

    PRESIDENT

    Bob has been with JDFEC since 2011. He has managed projects totaling more than $250 million over the past few years, including preparing contracts and bids, establishing project timelines, scheduling installations and inspections and more. He has also designed thousands of miles of fiber construction - both aerial and underground. He has extensive experience in fiber design, contractors, material vendors, regulatory filings, outside plant construction transport, access networks and wireless networks.

  • Jimmy Gray

    OUTSIDE PLANT MANAGER

    Jimmy has been with JDFEC for 45 years, beginning as a draftsman and now managing the outside plant team. His group is responsible for all designs, GIS information, drawings, permits, circuit assignments, contracts and project designs for all JDFEC clients. He also directly supervises in-the-field staff and design specialists.

  • Tim Upton

    SUPERVISOR OF OSP ENGINEERING SERVICES

    Tim joined JDFEC in 1990 as a staking assistant and has since been involved in all aspects of the plans and specifications prepared for outside plant contracts. He is knowledgeable in all aspects of long range and short term planning, OSP design and budget preparation and is certified in Passive Optical Network (PON) deployment. He has also been involved in other aspects of the fiber construction process, such as staking, plans & specifications and OSP construction inspection.

  • Mark Jones

    SUPERVISOR OF OSP SERVICES

    Mark has been with JDFEC since 2000, and his experience covers all phases of outside plant field engineering and construction projects. He has worked as a field inspector and as a resident engineer in the field. He has experience with both aerial and underground construction, as well as staking methods and reviewing needs for “make-ready.”

  • Brian Buck

    SENIOR RESIDENT ENGINEER

    Brian joined JDFEC in 2021 and is has a wealth of experience in project management, planning, scope assessment, engineering and safety. He has several certifications, including United States Army Corp of Engineers and DOD clearance.

  • Corey Pugh

    OSP SENIOR CONSULTANT / RESIDENT ENGINEER

    Corey joined JDFEC in 2009. His experience covers all phases of outside plant field engineering and construction projects, including extensive knowledge of permits and public and private easements. He has worked as a field inspector and as a resident engineer in the field and is well versed in both aerial and underground construction.

  • Chris Milsap

    OSP CONSULTANT / PERMITTING SPECIALIST

    Chris has been with JDFEC since 2009, and his experience covers all phases of outside plant field engineering and construction projects. He has worked as field inspector and as a resident engineer in the field, and he has experience with both aerial and underground construction. permits and public and private easements.

  • "We've enjoyed a relationship with Fibersmith and many of its team members for a long time. This move will enable both our companies to scale into new markets, utilize the skills of both sets of talented employees and bring broadband to even more homes and businesses throughout the United States."

    Bob Fenlason, Joseph D. Fail Engineering Company, Inc. President

  • "We're so excited to officially join forces with JDFEC. We've shared many of the same goals and worked together on countless projects. Our complementary teams will be a real asset to the telecom industry."

    Donny Smith, Fibersmith CEO

Contact Us

Tell us about your project and how we can help.