Bernard Borghei, one of the wireless infrastructure industry’s most recognized executives, is back with a new platform — and this time he comes armed with serious capital. TPG Peppertree has committed up to $1 billion to Connected Infra Group, a South Florida-based telecom and technology infrastructure company founded by Borghei focused on owning, operating, and managing telecommunications real estate assets, including towers and similar infrastructure, across the United States.
A New Platform After a Turbulent Exit
The announcement marks Borghei’s latest chapter in a 32-year career that has taken him from senior executive roles at Global Tower Partners to co-founding Vertical Bridge, the fourth-largest tower company in the country.
Most recently, Borghei stepped down as CEO of Symphony Towers Infrastructure in July 2025, citing “irreconcilable differences” with the company’s financial sponsor after a 15-month tenure marked by rapid consolidation and aggressive growth.
A Vertical Bridge Reunion at the Top
The new venture reunites him with longtime colleague Dan Marinberg, Esq., who joins Connected Infra Group as Chief Legal Officer. Marinberg is a former partner at Greenberg Traurig and previously served as General Counsel of Vertical Bridge. “Dan and I have been colleagues and partners since the early days of Vertical Bridge,” said Borghei. “I am delighted to be working with him again.”
TPG Peppertree Doubles Down on Tower Infrastructure
For TPG Peppertree, the investment reflects the firm’s continued push to scale its U.S. wireless tower infrastructure. The $7.9 billion strategy — which operates under the TPG Peppertree banner following TPG’s acquisition of Peppertree Capital Management in July 2025 — continues to be led by Co-Managing Partners Howard Mandel and Ryan Lepene.
Peppertree’s investment thesis is straightforward: demand for data will overwhelm wireless networks for the foreseeable future, and the firm seeks to capitalize by investing in towers, wireless spectrum, and fiber networks.
“We are pleased to partner with an accomplished executive like Bernard and the Connected Infra Group team to support the growth and expansion of their national portfolio of telecom infrastructure assets,” said Ryan Lepene, Co-Managing Partner of TPG Peppertree.
A Career Built on Scale
Borghei’s track record at Vertical Bridge will likely give investors confidence. Before co-founding Vertical Bridge, he served as Senior Vice President and Partner at Global Tower Partners, where he ran domestic and international market operations for a portfolio of more than 6,500 towers and 12,000 managed properties, and also oversaw new site development in Latin American markets.
His departure from Symphony last summer was widely noted across the industry. Dozens of LinkedIn posts celebrated his achievements and leadership style, with one colleague noting his “resolve, purposefulness, and authentic warmth” and crediting his leadership with helping Symphony “rise to a whole different level in just 15 months.”
A Billion-Dollar Foundation for What’s Next
Now, with a billion-dollar war chest, a seasoned legal partner, and the backing of one of the infrastructure sector’s most active specialized investors, Borghei appears positioned to build another significant platform in the private tower space — one he says will bring “a fresh, creative and collaborative” approach to meeting the industry’s evolving needs.
Connected Infra Group is headquartered in South Florida. TPG Peppertree is based in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and has made more than 175 investments through ten flagship funds, supporting the construction and acquisition of more than 10,000 wireless communication infrastructure assets.
