Craig Snyder started his career in the telecommunications infrastructure industry as a 21-year-old tower climber, paying his way through college. He has served in many leadership roles in the industry throughout his career all the while following his personal vision to help evaluate the industry for the betterment of everyone.

Among his most significant accomplishments is his leadership in establishing and elevating industry standards. Craig joined the TIA-222 structural standards committee in 1991 and served as Chairman from 1998 to 2006, overseeing the landmark 222-E and 222-F revisions. These standards improved tower structural design, wind and ice loading criteria, and long-term reliability, directly influencing the safety and resilience of wireless infrastructure nationwide.

As one of the original four organizers of NATE (National Association of Tower Erectors). He co-hosted the first meeting in 1996 and helped grow the association’s membership base, which includes approximately 1,000 member companies today. Craig served on the NATE Board for more than 30 years, including multiple terms as Chairman, helping guide the organization through periods of industry transformation while promoting safety, professionalism, and collaboration across the tower construction sector.

His technical innovation is exemplified by the founding of AnchorGuard. After witnessing a catastrophic guyed tower failure, Craig identified the root causes of underground anchor corrosion – previously misunderstood across the industry. His work led to fundamental changes in anchor design and corrosion protection, preventing future failures and protecting both tower assets and human lives.

As Chairman and Founder of VIKOR Teleconstruction, Craig built one of the industry’s premier infrastructure service providers, expanding to nine offices across the central U.S. Over the decades, the company has supported broadcast, wireless, and broadband deployments nationwide, helping enable the evolution of wireless networks from the earliest generations through today’s 5G era.

Workforce development has also been a strong focus throughout Craig’s career. Recognizing the industry’s need for skilled technicians, he established a state-of-the-art climber training facility and supported educational partnership designed to create new career pathways into the communications infrastructure industry.

His influence extends to public policy and workforce advocacy. Craig has testified before the U.S. Senate on 5G deployment, worked with state and federal policymakers to highlight the importance of communications infrastructure, and participated in and hosted FCC Chairman Brendan Carr’s Build America Agenda launch event. That event was held at VIKOR’s tower climber training center to highlight the essential workforce responsible for building and maintaining America’s communications networks.

Among his many honors, Craig received the Bill Carlson Lifetime Achievement Award from NATE in 2017, the association’s most prestigious recognition. In a nod to his entrepreneurial leadership, he was also honored by the Prairie Family Business Association with the inaugural Lloyd All In Award in 2023.