08/11/2025
Published in 2006, this was my comments on 911. Almost 10 years ago.
COLUMBIA — Retired telecommunications worker Greg Heifner recalls thinking during the 9/11 attacks: "What am I going to do with my life now? Am I going to just stay on my farm and clip coupons, or am I going to get actively involved in making a change?"
He chose the latter, and now runs a company that helps restore communication after disasters strike.
Five years ago, the Missourian spoke to Columbia residents — including Heifner — about how the 9/11 attacks changed their lives ("Our Lives: Five years later," part one and part two). In the days leading up to the attacks' 10th anniversary, the Missourian touched base with some of the people we spoke to in 2006, to see if and how their perspectives had changed. This is one of two stories.
Greg Heifner, founder and CEO of Orbital Data Net Inc., a satellite communications company based in Columbia
In 2006, he said: "I want to be able to help people and make a living at the same time. I don't think those two are mutually exclusive."
Greg Heifner recalled watching events unfold on Sept. 11, 2001, and thinking of ways his engineering background could help.
"When the buildings came down, they didn’t have the ability to even talk to each other," he said. "The police department couldn’t communicate with the fire department who couldn’t communicate back to the National Guard. I thought that was ridiculous."
Inspired by the loss of communication among emergency responders who arrived at ground zero, Heifner used his experience in communications technology to launch Orbital Data Net Inc. in June 2002. The company restores communications in the aftermath of disasters by using satellite technology.
The first major contract signed by Orbital Data Net was with the state of Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Six years later, seven states use the networks as do agencies like NASA, the American Red Cross and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Besides Katrina, Heifner’s company has aided communication during disasters including hurricanes Gustav and Ike in 2008 and the tornado in Joplin in May.
Although his company’s expansion has been slow, Heifner said he is satisfied with the progression.
“Its really been unfolding so far as I planned it,” he said. “It’s proving itself more and more valuable.”
Gosh has a lot changed. Now with full Motorola Solutions support and integration the solution is growing very fast. From the Keys to the Texas flood our equipment is there to raise the chance your 911 call will be answered.
