Gene Crusie is the founder and CEO of Surf Internet, a fiber-optic broadband company headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana. Under his leadership, Surf has grown from a small local internet provider into a regional force delivering high-speed fiber service across Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan—transforming connectivity for rural and underserved communities throughout the Great Lakes region. He believes that high-quality, reliable internet connectivity is the great equalizer, with limitless potential to reshape economic and educational futures. Gene’s roots in the broadband industry stretch back to the early 1990s, when he helped bring the first internet connection to Goshen College and launched one of northern Indiana’s earliest internet service providers.

Since then, he has guided the company through several major transitions—from MapleNet and Surf Air Wireless to today’s Surf Internet—along the way expanding its reach through strategic growth and acquisitions. Today, Surf’s network extends to around 300,000 homes and businesses and employs over 350 people. It has earned numerous awards under Gene’s leadership, including recognition as a Top 100 Fiber Provider by Broadband Communities, Best Places to Work in Indiana, the Junior Achievement Technology Hall of Fame, Ceragon Top North American VAR, Multiple local Chamber of Commerce Business of The Year, and the 1 Mile Tower Construction Award. Beyond his professional endeavors, Gene is deeply involved in community service. He serves on the boards of Elkhart-based Ribbon of Hope cancer support ministry and Horizon Education Alliance. He is also a founding member of Mission 46507 and the Good Seed Foundation in the Dominican Republic.

Additionally, Gene contributes as a volunteer servant leader for Marked Men for Christ ministries based in Denver, Colorado. An advocate for personal growth and community engagement, Gene encourages his team to live out their personal missions, serve others in some way, and do “epic stuff.” He leads by example, having completed endurance events such as multiple Ironman triathlons, the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon, an eight mile around Mackinac Island and this fall completing the Chicago Marathon while raising nearly $20k to support Autism Speaks charity. Gene resides in Elkhart with his wife, Michelle. They have three adult children and three grandchildren.

A lifelong resident of Elkhart County, Gene graduated from Concord High School and holds degrees from Goshen College in organizational management and Purdue University in electrical engineering.