[3] In 1999, independent research group New Paradigm Resources ranked BTI seventh nationally among competitive local exchange carriers and BTI was considered one of the nation's top fifteen telecommunications companies, with over 60,000 customers and 600 employees.

In addition, NCEITA, the North Carolina Electronics and Information Technologies Association, awarded him and BTI the “Corporate Citizen of the Year Award” for providing free Internet services to the disabled in rural schools throughout North Carolina.

After selling a portion of BTI, Loftin's involvement in the arts encouraged his purchase of Casa Casuarina in 2000.

Since owning Casa Casuarina he has restored it and turned it into a high-end boutique hotel and club as well as a luxurious residential property.

Casa Casuarina is the former Miami Beach Mansion of Gianni Versace, who lived in the home from 1993 until his death in 1997.