December 2024

From Fiber Optics Pioneer to Impact ES—Ventura: Coastal Connections’ Remarkable Evolution

By Beto Dantas, CEO and President

Fast-forward to 2002: with an MBA in hand and experience as a mechanical engineer, Andy found himself unemployed amid the telecom bust. Facing a crossroads, he decided it was the perfect time to fulfill his dream of starting a company.

From Humble Beginnings to a Thriving Business

Coastal Connections began in a one-car garage, driven by a forward-looking idea: as fiber optics became more affordable, their applications would expand far beyond telecommunications. Andy chose to focus on emerging markets like fiber optic sensing, medical diagnostics, laser communications in space, quantum computing, and even fusion power. These fields were not only exciting but positioned Coastal Connections for significant growth as the use of fiber optics skyrocketed.

Today, Coastal Connections—now Impact ES—Ventura—has grown into a thriving business with 43 employees working in a 13,000-square-foot facility. Its success is built on a strong foundation of innovation, adaptability, and a commitment to serving diverse markets.

Lessons in Leadership

Andy’s experiences at previous companies profoundly shaped Coastal Connections’ values and strategies. These lessons include:

• Diversifying Markets: To avoid the pitfalls of overreliance on a few markets or customers, Coastal Connections serves hundreds of customers across the U.S., Europe, and Asia in multiple industries.

• Respecting Suppliers: Andy saw firsthand how poor supplier relationships could harm a company. Coastal Connections treats its suppliers with respect, fostering strong, collaborative partnerships that ultimately benefit its customers.

• Integrity Matters: Open, honest communication has always been a cornerstone of the company’s approach. Andy learned the importance of transparency after seeing a successful COO lose their job at a billion-dollar company for not being forthright.

• Earning Customer Trust: Coastal Connections earned its first customers by stepping in when their current suppliers couldn’t deliver. This commitment to reliability remains central to the company’s philosophy today.

• Building Respect through Innovation: Coastal Connections initially avoided competing directly with a major rival out of respect—until Andy was told by a senior competitor that they couldn’t develop comparable products. Not only did the team rise to the challenge, but they created interchangeable solutions that met and exceeded market expectations.

• Treating Employees Equally: A cohesive, collaborative team culture is built on fairness. At Coastal Connections, everyone is treated equally, creating an environment where employees work together seamlessly.

Looking to the Future

As Coastal Connections integrates with Impact ES, these values continue to guide its growth and innovation. The lessons learned over decades of hard work remain at the heart of the company, ensuring that it stays adaptable, reliable, and customer-focused in a rapidly evolving industry.

We’re proud to share this inspiring origin story and to welcome Coastal Connections as Impact ES—Ventura. Its legacy of entrepreneurship, innovation, and integrity is now part of our shared journey.

New Products from Impact ES—Ventura

This year, Coastal Connections, now Impact ES—Ventura, introduced two cutting-edge products: the 3420 ESCC Space Connector and the Power Fiber Connector (PFC). These new solutions demonstrate the company’s continued commitment to innovation and meeting customer needs.

Building on Core Values

As highlighted in the previous story, Impact ES—Ventura has always prioritized respect and professionalism in its approach to competition. The development of these products reflects not just technical expertise but a drive to respond thoughtfully to market needs and customer challenges.

The 3420 ESCC Space Connector and Power Fiber Connector are exciting additions to our product portfolio, continuing a legacy of innovation that drives Impact ES forward.

Photonics West 2025: Showcasing Innovation

Photonics West is a vital event for Coastal Connections, bringing together leading players from its core markets. It offers not only a chance to connect with customers and partners from around the world but also an opportunity to explore emerging trends and technologies shaping the future. In past years, buzzworthy topics included LiDAR and quantum computing. What will capture the spotlight this year? Fusion power? Space laser communications? Directed energy? Whatever the trend, Coastal Connections is ready—already serving many of these cutting-edge markets.

Showcasing New and Legacy Products

At this year’s event, Coastal Connections will feature its latest innovations alongside its trusted legacy solutions:

• 3420 ESCC Space Connector: A compact, lightweight connector made of titanium and designed to be fully compatible with Mini and Midi AVIM® connectors. Ideal for space applications, it delivers high performance with seamless compatibility.
  

• Power Fiber Connector (PFC): Designed for high-power applications, this expanded mode field connector securely mates fibers handling up to 6 watts of power. It is also engineered for compatibility with competing connectors.
  

Additionally, attendees can learn about Coastal Connections’ comprehensive offerings, including fiber optic cables, electrical harnesses, printed circuit board assembly, box builds, and design services, showcasing the expertise of both Impact ES—Ventura and its sister companies.

Visit Us at Photonics West

We invite you to visit our booth to see how Impact ES—Ventura continues to push the boundaries of innovation while delivering reliable solutions for our customers. Let’s discuss how we can collaborate to meet the demands of your next big project.

AVIM® is a registered trademark of Diamond SA.