CommWest’s longtime owner retires, hands over company to like-minded successors

Brandon Leuallen, The Business Times

When Nathan Wallace decided it was time to retire after 20 years at the helm of CommWest, finding the right fit mattered more than finding just any buyer. The Grand Junction-based technology company, known for its personal approach and deep local roots, will now continue under new ownership that Wallace said “just felt right.”

CommWest was acquired Nov. 11 by Anson Pierce and Martin Jensen, managing partners who operate two technology firms in Florida. Both were looking to expand westward but were determined to find a business that shared their same values of trust, service and community connection.

“We weren’t looking for a takeover or a roll up,” Pierce said. “We wanted a company with a culture that cared about people, that valued relationships and that didn’t see clients as numbers. When we met Nathan, it was clear our values lined up perfectly.”

Match Built on Shared Principles

The pair had explored several options, and Colorado was at the top of their list. Both have family ties and personal connections to the state, and when a business broker introduced them to CommWest, they knew they had found what they were looking for.

“The broker told us right away that Nathan had nonnegotiables,” Jensen said. “He wasn’t interested in selling to anyone who would gut the staff or change what makes CommWest special. That told us everything we needed to know about the kind of business this was.”

Instead of pursuing a corporate acquisition or private equity-backed merger, the new owners said their goal is to maintain the company’s team, branding, culture and local presence while continuing to build on its longstanding relationships with customers.

“We understand doing business in a relationship-based community,” Pierce said. “That’s how we built our companies in Miami, and that’s how CommWest has built its success here. We plan to keep that going.”

From Phones to Full-Service IT

CommWest was founded in 2002 as a provider of business phone systems. Wallace joined in 2004 and purchased the company a year later. Under his leadership, the business grew into one of the Western Slope’s most respected technology service providers, offering managed IT support, communications systems and cybersecurity protection for businesses of all sizes.

Its client base stretches from small insurance offices to hospitals, resorts and government agencies, serving communities from Grand Junction to Montrose, Delta and Telluride.

“We can’t guarantee your stuff won’t break, but we’ll guarantee we’ll fix it,” Wallace said. “That’s been our motto from day one. Take care of the customer, be honest and make sure things work.”

The Essential Defense Suite

One of the company’s most recent innovations is its Essential Defense Suite, a comprehensive cybersecurity solution designed for small and medium-sized businesses. The package includes real-time monitoring, email security, multifactor authentication, data backup and endpoint threat detection, providing enterprise-grade protection without the large price tag.

“Small businesses are just as vulnerable as large ones,” Wallace said. “We’ve seen local chambers, hospitals and even counties hit with cyberattacks. We wanted to make sure businesses here could be protected affordably.”

A Family Business and a Local Legacy

For Wallace, CommWest has always been more than a business. It has been a family effort and a community connection. His wife and daughters have been involved over the years, helping with office work and client support.

“It has been my great pleasure to work with our team and help our clients’ businesses grow through technology,” he said. “We’ve built something special here, and I’m proud to see it continue.”

Wallace, who moved to Colorado in 1983, said he plans to stay local and enjoy more time camping and hunting in the Western Slope’s wilderness while remaining a familiar face to customers and staff during the transition.

“I’ve seen a lot of ownership changes that didn’t go well,” he said. “That’s not what we wanted. I’ll still be around, and I want to be able to see my staff and customers in a few years and know everyone’s happy.”

New Leadership, Same Values

At CommWest, Pierce will focus on growth and client relationships while Jensen oversees operations and service delivery. Pierce brings more than a decade of experience helping technology firms grow through relationship-based service and strong customer partnerships. Jensen, a former corporate attorney and operations leader, brings a focus on efficiency, systems and long-term sustainability.

On the Western Slope, Pierce said, “I have been genuinely impressed by the strong focus on community. … As someone who has always built my business on relationships, stepping into this environment truly feels like coming home. I am excited to build upon the remarkable legacy that Nate and the team have established.”

Looking Ahead

For Pierce and Jensen, the sale represents more than a business expansion. It is the continuation of a shared philosophy and a partnership that will include two familiar faces.

Wallace’s two daughters will remain on staff, a condition the new owners quickly embraced. It didn’t take long for them to see how much they contribute to what makes CommWest work, recognizing that they’re part of the heartbeat of the company and making it clear they are grateful that the two are staying.

Outside the company, the transition has also drawn support from local partners.

“Nathan did an incredible job to get CommWest to where it is today. We are excited for the team’s new chapter and for the opportunity to partner with Anson and Martin as they continue to keep their service strong and local,” said Luke Clayton of Evergreen Administrative Services, a human resources and payroll solutions company in Grand Junction.