Connect 5G

Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Richardson, Texas — Connect 5G, Inc. is a US-owned telecom company delivering next-generation network services and solutions to more than 55+ clients across North America and Europe.

About Connect 5G

Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Richardson, Texas, Connect 5G, Inc. is a US owned telecom company delivering next-generation network services and solutions to more than 55 operators across North America and Europe with a focus on creating value by solving hard to solve pain-points.

Connect 5G is a leading provider of network services dedicated to supporting clients design, integrate, optimize, and manage Wireless Cellular Networks. Our focus is always addressing customer pain-points by enhancing network quality, boosting operational agility, and reducing costs. Connect 5G brings deep expertise in RAN technologies, including 5G, 4G, Tarana, 3G, 2G, CBRS, and IP Routers from all major suppliers. We pride ourselves on delivering seamless, high-quality integrations that drive success for our clients.

Powered by Opus-M, its award-winning AI enabled, cloud-native, distributed core, the company provides agile deployment services and scalable connectivity for commercial, private, and mission-critical environments, offering unique solutions for 5G, 4G, Wi-Fi, PTT, and IoT. Recognized with the Tech Titans Innovation Award in 2023, Connect 5G continues to deliver unmatched end-to-end expertise, and deployment capabilities that consistently exceed customer expectations.

Our Leadership

Patrik Melander

Patrik Melander

Chairman & CEO

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Patrik Melander is the CEO and co-founder of Connect 5G, Inc.

He has 27 years of global telecom and services experience, mainly within the Ericsson Group, building global organizations, leading transformations. An entrepreneur in the AI, IoT and 5G areas serving on BoD and Advisory boards of companies and non-profits.

Patrik is Swedish of origin and spent 24 years as a Global Telecom Executive within the Ericsson group, living in Sweden, Japan, Brazil, Costa Rica, UAE and San Diego, Chicago, Boca Raton and Dallas. His positions included Regional President, EVP & GM, Global Head of Customer Support and Managed Services Delivery, Director of off-shore competence centers, Regional Head of Professional Services and General Management.

Michael Irizarry

Michael Irizarry

President & COO

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Michael Irizarry is the President & COO of Connect 5G, Inc.

With over 30 years of experience — including serving as Chief Technology and Information Officer (CTIO) of UScellular — Mike has led technology, IT and network strategies across 5G, VoNR, 4G, VoLTE, IoT, and nationwide expansions. He brings deep expertise in operational excellence, strategic vision, digital transformation, including front office and back office operational and business support systems, and enterprise program management, all aimed at delivering exceptional customer experiences.

As President & COO, he leads our operations and delivery, deepens the customer relationships at the heart of our business, and drives the continued growth of our Opus-M Core Network and Professional Services offerings.

Mike holds a PhD in Computer Science, is a senior member of the Association for Computing Machinery and IEEE, and has contributed to industry-shaping initiatives with NGMN (Next Generation Mobile Networks) and ATIS. Mike has held prior leadership roles at UScellular, Verizon, Bell Atlantic Mobile, and PageNet, and he also serves in advisory and board positions in a few select companies.

Anthony Fiorentinos

Anthony Fiorentinos

CFO

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Anthony Fiorentinos is the CFO of Connect 5G, Inc.

He has 25 years of invaluable experience from managing global finance, commercial & sourcing organizations, most recently as CFO Northern Latin America & Caribbean at Ericsson.

Anthony a financial executive and Telecom industry veteran with over 25 years of experience in Telecoms start ups, turn – around and corporate governance, specialization in program & projects effectiveness.

Originally from South Africa, in addition has whom lived and worked in England, Sweden, India, North & South America. As the CFO of Connect 5G Anthony brings a valuable experience in realizing value from strategic direction to operational execution.

Meet Our Team

  • Flávio Borges

    Flávio Borges

    Co-founder

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    Flavio Borges is the Co-founder of Connect 5G, Inc.

    He has 24 years of global experience, mostly within the Ericsson group, and having worked with the USA, Latin America, and Swedish markets. Flavio held positions such as Head of Network Rollout, VP Customer Support and Account Director in local, regional and global capacities.

    Flávio served as President and Chief Operations Officer from 2019 to 2026 and was responsible for ensuring the continued growth of the company and that all of 5G Connect Services associates were focused on providing the world's best customer experience.

  • Bo Hedfors

    Bo Hedfors

    Advisor

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    Bo Hedfors is a global senior executive with 50 years of global telecom experience. Former board member of Fortune 100 corporations, President of Motorola Networks and President Ericsson North America.

    He is currently an advisor, mentor and angel investor to several businesses in the AI, Open RAN, blockchain and edge computing fields.

    Bo adds a lifetime of Leadership, Management in Telecom and Technology along with a global contact network for Connect 5G.

  • Gowton Achaibar

    Gowton Achaibar

    Advisor

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    Gowton Achaibar is a Telecom and Media industry veteran, executive and board member and investor.

    Gowton has held executive positions at Ericsson including President of Ericsson India, EVP & GM of Digital Services, Customer Unit Head and COO. He also served as CTO in Powertel, COO and Head of R&D at MediaKind. Currently serves on BoD, advisor and investor in several complementing companies.

    Gowton brings more than 30 years experience from all parts of Telecom and with it a massive contact network and experience to leverage for Connect 5G.

  • Bo Piekarski

    Bo Piekarski

    Advisor

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    Bo Piekarski is a wireless telecom industry veteran with 40+ years of experience.

    During his tenure as an executive at Crown Castle/NextG Networks, Omnipoint/T-Mobile, Intel, Spatial Wireless, Ericsson; he has lead the design or been involved with the development, and introduction of mobile telecom radio network products for all of the major cellular standards: 5G, 4G (LTE), and GSM.

    He held various executive roles such as acting CEO, served as an advisor to several start-up companies; and participated as a committee member/co-chair of numerous industry forums and organizations, including IEEE, TIA, CTIA and the SDR and CBRS Forums.

  • Rikard Lundqvist

    Rikard Lundqvist

    Advisor

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    Rikard Lundqvist is an entrepreneur in the emerging technology field with focus on IoT. Currently Founder and CEO of Kloudberry.

    Rikard has extensive knowledge and experience from Automation and R&D of tools and performance management. Roles have included CEO of Ascom, VP & GM of TEMS, Managing Partner of P3 group.

    Rikard brings more than 25 years experience from automation, tools development and Telecommunications.

  • Todd Crick

    Todd Crick

    Advisor

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    Todd Crick is an executive in the Telecom, High Tech and Internet Industries. Initially, a Strategy Consultant with Deloitte Consulting and InCode Telecom Group. Transitioned into leading large Service Organizations at VeriSign and Ericsson. Also, CEO at a mid-sized professional services company through an MBO and successful exit.

    Recent experience in an Operations role with SaaS Security company and as an Co-Founder and Partner with a High Tech-focused Private Equity Company. Board Member/Advisor and Investor in several start-ups.

    Todd brings a wealth of experience in establishing services companies, contacts and PE expertise.

  • Francisco Moraes

    Francisco Moraes

    VP of Sales

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    Francisco (Chico) Moraes is the Vice-President of Sales of Connect 5G, Inc.

    He has over 25 years of experience working for renamed telecom companies in Brazil and the US, including Ericsson, Nortel, Claro, and many more. Before joining Connect 5G, he served Extenet Systems as their Executive Director responsible for the T-Mobile account for almost 10 years. Chico moved to Seattle, WA in 2001 where he still lives with his wife and 3 daughters.

    As Vice-President of Sales for Connect 5G, Francisco is responsible for extending and solidifying our relationships with our current customers while offering Connect 5G's Portfolio to new partners so that they too can experience the improved subscribers experience, capacity enhancement and faster ROI which has been successfully delivered to our existing customers with professionalism, quality and agility.

  • Jordan Vrtanoski

    Jordan Vrtanoski

    Chief Architect

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    Jordan Vrtanoski is the Chief Architect and member of Connect 5G's leadership team. Jordan has more than 25 years of global experience in the Telecom and SI segment in multinational companies such as T-Mobile, LHS and Ericsson. Jordan was leading most complex digital transformation programs in the OSS/BSS area in Middle East and Asia. He had the leading role in the transformation programs for EITC dU, Jawwal, STC and Ooredoo.

    Jordan is a trusted and well-respected member of the Magma community since the early stages of the project. He was leading the porting efforts for ARM architecture and, thanks to his effort and contribution to the community, Magma Core is now supported on ARMv8, which has opened possibilities for different centralized and decentralized deployment schemes.