By Richard PiercePublished On: October 23, 2025

FOCUS Investment Banking Represents Rural Telecommunications of America, Inc. in its Sale to Highline

Washington, DC, (October 23, 2025) – FOCUS Investment Banking (“FOCUS”), a leading middle market investment bank, is pleased to announce that it served as the exclusive financial advisor to Rural Telecommunications of America, Inc. (“RTA”), a regional broadband provider, in the sale of certain fiber assets located in Bastrop (including the Bastrop County BOOT II project), Fayette, and Lavaca counties, Texas, to Highline.

The transaction expands Highline’s fiber network and customer reach in Central Texas, including the communities of Smithville, LaGrange, Schulenburg, Flatonia, Moulton, and surrounding rural areas. Through this strategic acquisition, Highline strengthens its ability to deliver fast, reliable Gigabit internet services across the region—furthering its mission to bridge the digital divide and support economic development in underserved areas.

“Highline’s investment in Central Texas represents more than just expanding our network—it’s about investing in the future of rural communities,” commented Tyson Begly, Chief Financial Officer of Highline. “By acquiring and enhancing these fiber assets, we are building sustainable infrastructure that supports families, schools, and businesses, while creating long-term opportunity for the region.”

RTA CEO Randall Schwartz added “RTA is proud to have laid the groundwork for an extensive fiber network that will bring state-of-the-art fiber broadband services to consumers and businesses throughout one of the fastest growing areas in Texas. We appreciate the advice and assistance of the team at FOCUS that helped make this transaction possible.”

This transaction underscores the continued consolidation and growth within the broadband infrastructure sector, as regional providers like RTA position their assets for strategic partnerships and acquisitions by larger network operators.

“RTA has built high-quality fiber assets that play a meaningful role in connecting communities across Texas,” said Rich Pierce, FOCUS Managing Director. “We are proud to have advised RTA on this successful transaction with Highline, which ensures these networks will continue to expand and serve the region’s broadband needs for years to come.”

*These testimonials may not be representative of the experience of all clients; testimonials are not a guarantee of future performance or success.

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Rich Pierce, FOCUS Managing Director, has more than 20 years of investment banking experience advising middle market clients on a variety of mergers and acquisitions and capital raising transactions. During that time, Mr. Pierce’s primary emphasis has been on serving clients in the telecommunications industry including providers of network related hardware and software products, wireless and wireline telecommunications service providers and network engineering and construction companies. Prior to joining FOCUS, Mr. Pierce was a Director in the Communications and Media group of Stifel Nicolaus, a nationally recognized middle market investment bank. In this capacity he led Stifel Nicolaus’ entry into the networking technology space while also working with clients in a variety of other telecommunications-related areas. Mr. Pierce was also a member of the Telecommunications group at Legg Mason. While at Legg Mason he gained significant experience working with telecommunications service providers, particularly those serving secondary and rural markets. Mr. Pierce has been a speaker for a variety of industry associations including the Rural Cellular Association (RCA), the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA) and the Fiber to the Home (FTTH) Council, and he has also been recognized as a testifying expert in the wireless industry. Before becoming an investment banker, Mr. Pierce had a successful seven year career as an officer in the U.S. Army Military Intelligence Corps. In addition to working in a number of tactical level assignments in the U.S. and Europe, he is a graduate of the Army’s Airborne and RANGER training programs. Mr. Pierce graduated from Brown University with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and received his M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, where he graduated with distinction.