Glenn Wellbrock’s engineering roots
Thursday, August 14, 2025 at 6:05PM After four decades shaping optical networking, Glenn Wellbrock has retired. He shares his career highlights, industry insights, and his plans to embrace a quieter life of farming and hands-on projects in rural Kansas.
Glenn Wellbrock’s (pictured) fascination with telecommunications began at an early age. “I didn’t understand how it worked, and I wanted to know,” he recalls.
Wellbrock’s uncle had a small, rural telephone company where he worked while studying, setting the stage for his first full-time job at telecom operator, MCI. Wellbrock entered a world of microwave and satellite systems; MCI was originally named Microwave Communications Incorporated.
“They were all ex-military guys, and I’m the rookie coming out of school trying to do my best and learn,” says Wellbrock.
