2024 SPEAKERS

Dr. Christopher Ali is the Pioneers Chair in Telecommunications and Professor of Telecommunications in the Bellisario College of Communications at Penn State. He joins the department after nine years in the Department of Media Studies at the University of Virginia. He holds a Ph.D. in communication ...

As part of the Cox Communications Residential Sales and Marketing leadership team, Guillermo oversees the organization responsible for building strategic relationships with developers, builders, and owners of multifamily and single-family communities. In this role, he spearheads the development of...

Shawn Arner is a graduate of Virginia Tech, having received his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1991.  He has been with Telecommunications Program of the Rural Utilities Service for over 30 years and has served in his current capacity as the Deputy Assistant Administrator since...

Steve’s practice ranges from regulatory, legislative, and administrative law counsel to transactional advice, advocacy, and litigation. His practice focuses on USF contributions, E-rate and Universal Service audits and investigations. He also is a leading practitioner in anti-robocall technologies...

Jay Austria, Senior National Sales Executive –AT&T National Team/ Property Acquisition – AT&T Connected Communities14 years in the Fiber Broadband Technology industry, building partnerships with multifamily, property management companies and National SFU builders.AT&T Summit Winner –...

Bill Badran is a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience in the IT and Network Infrastructure industry. Beginning his career as a dedicated IT Management Business owner, Bill's expertise has been instrumental in shaping the landscape of technological infrastructure for both...

Joe Baeumel Vice President, Strategy & Business Development KGPCo As VP of Partner Strategy and Business Development for KGPCo, Joe leads a team focused on advancing the Cloud and Virtualization market along with the technology partner ecosystem.  In this role, he plans and develops company ...

Chris Bailey brings over 25 years of supply chain and broadband subject matter expertise. Working in both supplier and distribution companies throughout his career, Chris has been involved in numerous fiber and wireless deployments with telecommunication, cooperatives and municipalities launching...

Lane Bailey is the deputy director of the Arkansas State Broadband Office.  He has been managing IT projects for state agencies since 2009, with particular focus on building networks.  Prior to his work with the state, Lane was a project manager for fiber deployments in the private sector.  He...

Over his twenty-four years with Harris County Public Library, he has worked in a variety of positions. Starting in a temporary PC support role, Ty worked his way up from Field Technician to Systems Administrator, to Integrated Library System Administrator, to Web Team Leader and finally to his...

Toni is the Vice President of External Affairs for Comcast in the Texas region, with leadership responsibility for Comcast Cable’s local government relations, digital equity and community impact, and external communications.   Comcast Cable - one of Comcast Corporation’s three primary businesses—...

Erin Benal is the Broadband Development Coordinator for the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Prior to her career with the Comptroller’s Office, she served South Central Nebraska as an AmeriCorps American Connection Corp Fellow for Lead for America. She graduated with her Bachelor degrees in...

Megan Beresford is the Director of Broadband Programs at Learn Design Apply Inc (LDA). She joined the company mid-pandemic as the digital divide became glaringly evident. Since then, she and her team have helped states, public entities, tribes, and private internet service providers secure over...

Dom Beveridge is a multifamily industry consultant, writer and publisher specializing in technology and its impact on operations. He is a regular industry conference speaker and podcast guest, a blogger and a frequent contributor to trade publications. In 2018, Dom created 20fo20 – the multifamily...

Rush is the President and CEO of RealtyCom Partners - a telecom and technology consultancy that works with apartment owners, operators and developers. Rush has been in the MDU and telecom world for 27 years.  He joined RealtyCom Partners in 2015. Prior to joining RealyCom Partners, Rush held...

Sarah Bleau joined NTIA in February 2021 has spent the better part of her career buying, building, and selling fiber networks. She took on the leadership role for the Broadband Infrastructure Program in Fall 2021 and saw the program through to the award recommendations and announcements made in...

Throughout my career, I have worn many hats, usually all at the same time. In the military, I worked Special Projects and had the role of Project, Operations, Office, Facilities, and Training Manager, as well as many others. Successful completion of many Leadership programs has helped me to adapt...

Jeff Boozer is a distinguished business development and operations leader with a proven track record of driving portfolio innovation, achieving sustained revenue growth, and excelling in operational execution. He possesses global revenue and profit responsibility for business-to-business (B2B)...

Amanda Borrett is the Director of New Accounts at Vivacity Infrastructure Group. With over 18 years of experience in sales and marketing, she specializes in the telecommunications industry. Amanda has worked with many municipalities and counties on middle-mile fiber optic and fiber-to-the-home...

L. Elizabeth Bowles is CEO of Aristotle Unified Communications Inc., a hybrid fiber/fixed-wireless broadband internet service provider headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas.  Elizabeth is a passionate advocate for the expansion of affordable broadband services in rural and underserved areas, and...

Chris Bruen is Senior Director of Research at the National Multifamily Housing Council, where he has studied and written on such issues as housing affordability, immigration, migration, household crowding, and apartment demand. Chris holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance from The George Washington...

Scott Buehrle guides the overall multifamily strategy and sales efforts at Frontier. He leverages nearly 20 years of experience serving the multifamily and HOA industries in order to effectively partner with community owners, developers, and property managers to create exceptional...

Chief Executive Officer and President Scott is President and CEO of ROVR Score, bringing more than 30 years of executive experience with leading technology solutions and vendors to launching his own company in measuring the quality of connectivity for apartments / Software-as-a-Service company. ...

Broadband Breakfast CEO Drew Clark has led the Broadband Breakfast community since 2008. An early proponent of better broadband, better lives, he initially founded the Broadband Census crowdsourcing campaign for broadband data. As Editor and Publisher of BroadbandBreakfast.com, Clark presides over...

Jennifer Clark is a County Board Member from Lake County, Illinois.  She was elected to the Lake County Board in 2018.   Jennifer is currently the Chair of the Lake County Special Committee on Broadband and chairs the Lake County Public Works and Transportation Committee.    Jennifer is very...

Chris is Vice President of Ubiquity Smart Buildings where he is responsible for the National Expansion of Multi-Tenant Fiber Partnerships, Overbuilds and new Greenfield deployments.    Chris served as Vice President & Lead Consultant for a Frontier Communications responsible for expanding and...

Dr. Pierrette Renée Dagg is the Director of  Research for Merit Network at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The aim of her work is to bridge the gap between academic scholarship and practical application to positively impact technology and information equity. Pierrette is also a...

Alex Damato serves as Vice President of Policy for Charter Communications. In this role, Alex is responsible for broadband policy matters, with a particular focus on the implementation of federal policy issues at the state level. He is also responsible for policy efforts in states’ implementation...

VIRTUAL SPEAKER

Marycruz De Leon is a Senior Outreach Advisor in Community Development at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. Marycruz works on the Bank’s Digital Inclusion effort where she is helping regional partnerships address challenges related to broadband availability and affordability, and digital...

Kathryn de Wit directs Pew’s broadband access initiative, which works to accelerate efforts to connect millions of Americans to affordable, reliable high-speed internet. In addition to working with policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders to improve policy outcomes, de Wit’s work also...

I got into the tech sector in 1983 after a brief time as a congressional staffer.  I started by selling telephone systems for Executone before acquiring a franchise.  After pretending to retire, I became the inaugural Director of the West Virginia Office of Broadband.  Today, I advise local...

David Don serves as Senior Vice President for Public Policy at Comcast Corporation. He is responsible for developing and implementing the company’s policy strategies before federal and state governments. David has worked extensively on public policy and spectrum allocation policy for over 25...

Seamus is the associate legislative director for telecommunications & technology on NACo's government affairs team. In this role, Seamus serves as the liaison to NACo's Telecommunications & Technology Policy Steering Committee and advocates directly to federal partners in the...

Garner Duncan’s career in telecommunications has spanned over 20 years.  Currently, he is the Vice President of Gov./Ed. & Wholesale for Ezee Fiber, managing all aspects of the Wholesale & Gov./Ed. Team including creating and developing strategic partnerships within the Education &...

Kerem is Chief Executive Officer of GWI, a leading ISP/telco in Maine; the first B Corp telecommunications carrier in the US. He has served as the Entrepreneur-In-Residence for a quasi-public loan and venture capital entity and was CEO of a start-up leading it to growth and eventual acquisition by...

Joshua Edmonds is the Chief Executive Officer of DigitalC, a nonprofit technology social enterprise headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, committed to disruptive telecommunications, digital equity, and facilitating community-based collaborations.Prior to joining DigitalC, Joshua was appointed to serve...

Trent Edwards, President Mears Broadband, LLC Trent leads all facets of the organization includidng strategy, sales, and operations. He has over 24 years of diverse experience including leadership and management roles in capital and network planning, engineering, operations, construction, network ...

Andrew is the Director of Broadband & New Power Supply at Whatcom PUD, a public utility district in Ferndale, Washington. In this capacity he oversees the District’s activities related to expanding access to high-speed broadband services within the greater Whatcom County community.    ...

A tireless digital equity advocate, Paul Garnett has over 25 years of experience in the domestic and international telecommunications and technology sectors. Paul is Founder and CEO of Vernonburg Group, a consulting firm based in Savannah, Georgia, USA that works with large and small...

Heather Gate is a prominent figure in the field of digital inclusion, with over 17 years of experience dedicated to bridging the digital divide and improving the lives of vulnerable populations through technology access, adoption, and use. Heather Gate's rich professional journey includes...

John George has served with AT&T, Lucent Technologies and OFS for 40 years.  OFS designs, develops, and manufactures optical fiber and fiber optic cable in the U.S. He has published on fiber optics in various forums, served on the Fiber Broadband Association’s Board of Directors for 8...

Sean is the Senior Program Director of Apartment Wi-Fi at EducationSuperHighway, a national non-profit with the mission to close the Digital Divide for the 17 million households in the affordability gap. He leads the team in developing a vision for how managed Wi-Fi networks can be deployed in...

As the Vice President of PropTech for GID and Windsor Communities, Brennan is focused on delivering technology solutions that bring value to residents, associates, and ownership alike.  Prior to GID, Brennan has held technology leadership roles with Sage Hospitality, Equinox Hotels, and Starwood...

Alex Goge has led sales for Illuminati Labs since the early stages of the company. He has personally been involved in the deployment of Cellular DAS, and ERRCS throughout the United States. He is a subject matter expert in Cellular + Public Safety DAS and specializes in finding more efficient ways...

  Kami Griffiths is the executive director and co-founder of Community Tech Network, a nonprofit with the mission to transform lives through digital equity. With 20 years of experience working in the public sector, Kami has developed a passion for helping people gain access and better utilize...

Robert is a leader in the institutional real estate and technology industries with a 25-year track record.  He is committed to helping institutional real estate owners and managers create value from investments in technology by enhancing the customer experience and forming long-lasting partnerships ...

Sachin Gupta is the Director of Government Business and Economic Development at Centranet, a subsidiary of Central Rural Electric Cooperative. He is Secretary, Board of Directors of the Fiber Broadband Association. He is a member of the Oklahoma Broadband Expansion Council. Formed by House Bill...

Trent Harkrader serves as Chief of the FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau, and works to ensure that all Americans have access to robust, affordable broadband and voice services.  From the FCC’s funding programs that push broadband to households, schools, libraries and hospitals all across the...

Jennifer Harris joined the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) in August 2022 as the federal program officer (FPO) for the State of Texas. In this role, Jennifer coordinates partnerships and outreach with the state and local governments, community groups, and other...

James Henry has been actively involved in the internet and telecom industry for more than two decades. His extensive and multi-disciplined knowledge of the industry is the product of his roles as an equity research analyst following the telecom and internet services sectors, as a portfolio manager...

Harrison Hiner is a Legislative-Political Coordinator and Senior Campaign Lead forCommunications Workers of America (CWA) District 6 covering Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma,Arkansas, and Kansas. CWA is the largest union of telecommunications workers in the countryand, our members are experienced...

Art Hubacher is the managing member and co-founder of Hubacher Ames & Taylor, PLLC, a law firm established to focus on telecommunications and technology issues for the real estate industry.  Mr. Hubacher has more than 25 years of experience helping developers, owners and managers of residential ...

Solomon is Dillon Morgan Consulting's  Managing Director for ICT (Information Communications Technology).   Solomon is a 30 year practitioner of the telecommunications industry where he has held the position of CTO for SkyMax Network, a 5G FWA provider in Sub-Saharan Africa, provided technical ...

Scott Jackson, Graybar (National Market Manager - Broadband)    As National Market Manager for Broadband at Graybar, Scott has been in the broadband industry for over 25 years.  His experience includes everything from sales management, to accounting, to business planning, sales strategy and...

As Director of Smart Building Technology at Greystar Management, I lead the development and implementation of innovative solutions that enhance the efficiency, sustainability, and profitability of multifamily properties. I establish and maintain strong relationships with clients, partners, and...

Taylor holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the Moore School of Business and graduated from the University of South Carolina Honors College. He is President and Chief Technology Officer for Elauwit Connection Inc., which is a national communications and managed services provider focused on...

A diehard Wisconsinite, Kevin Kloehn offices out of his home in Milwaukee. Prior to joining Vantage Point in 2007, Kevin was a sales representative in the communications industry for over a decade. He has been building relationships and telling stories ever since. Kevin is the primary contact for...

After joining the Tucows Finance team in 2017, George transitioned to Ting in 2019 to help establish, scale and lead the Finance function in support of Ting’s ongoing organic growth, strategic expansion, acquisitions, and capital requirements. With over a decade of audit and public company...

Eric is the Director of Strategic Initiatives at Lead For America (LFA), a role he assumed after wrapping up an MBA/M.Ed program at Stanford in 2022. In this role,  he wears a different hat each day, tackling a range of projects that span partnerships, development, operations, and more. His...

Catherine Krantz is Area Director for Broadband at Communities Unlimited managing the implementation of CU's broadband strategy across their seven-state service area: TX, OK, AR, LA, MS, AL, TN, leading a team of broadband planners, broadband technical assistance providers, and digital equity...

INCOMPAS, the internet and competitive networks association, represents internet, streaming, communications and technology companies both large and small before federal, state, and local governments. INCOMPAS advocates for laws and policies that promote competition, innovation and economic...

Mr. Kuchno has over four decades of experience working with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service (RUS) in a number of different roles, ranging from reviewing system designs for construction of telecommunication facilities to development of processes and...

Matt Larsen is one of the innovators in the wireless broadband industry, a founding board member and past President of WISPA, the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association and a member of BITAG the Broadband Infrastructure Technology Advisory Group.  Matt has also been a speaker at...

Brent Legg serves as Executive Vice President at nonprofit Connected Nation, where he leads the organization’s joint venture to establish carrier-neutral Internet Exchange facilities in unserved markets across the United States.  Mr. Legg has more than 20 years of experience working at the...

Kyle W. Leissner serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of WireStar, Inc., a leading player in the communications industry. With a rich history of entrepreneurship, Mr. Leissner has demonstrated a profound understanding of launching and managing businesses in the telecommunications...

Andrew Lipman has spent more than 30 years developing Morgan, Lewis & Bockius’ Telecommunications, Media and Technology Group into one of the largest practices of its kind in the nation. He practices in virtually every aspect of communications law and related fields, including...

Andrew Lutes is a father of twin toddlers, singer-songwriter, and Co-Executive Director of Commongrounds Cooperative, an innovative non-profit real estate co-op in Traverse City, Michigan. His background spans the hospitality, entertainment, and real estate development sectors, with 20+ years of...

Philip Macres, a principal at Klein Law Group, PLLC, counsels broadband providers on increasing profitability, reducing risk, and furthering their corporate objectives through effective and efficient regulatory, litigation, transactional and business strategies. Macres, who has more than 25 years...

Bill Maguire is founder of Connected Communities LLC and an advisor to local governments,non-profit organizations and technology companies. In 2017, Bill developed a Smart City 101training curriculum to introduce and explore the ideas and projects that drive global interest inSmart City...

Lauren is a member at Davis Craig, PLLC.  She counsels and represents multifamily and single family real estate developers, owners, and managers in various telecommunications and technology related transactions across the country, with a primary focus on agreements for...

Ry Marcattilio is an Associate Director for Research with the Institute for Local Self-Reliance’s Community Broadband Networks Initiative. He is interested in the democratizing power of technology, systems engineering, and the history of science, technology, and medicine. Ry holds a Ph.D. in...

Scott brings over 20 years of experience in sales, product development, and marketing within the multifamily, telecommunications and technology industries to his current role as Executive Director at Xfinity Communities. As a leader on the product development team, Scott spearheads cutting-edge...

With a corporate background of IT management for multiple manufacturing companies (building from scratch IT systems and implementing million dollar Enterprise Resource Planning software solutions) for almost 20 years, JJ created a new IT consultant company. Out of that company, demand grew for...

Kim McKinley helps lead UTOPIA Fiber as its Deputy Director and Chief Marketing Officer. In 2010, she joined the network as a member of its turnaround team, and has helped cement today’s UTOPIA Fiber as the fastest-growing, highest-rated, and most-successful Open Access network in the United...

For nearly two decades, Mr. Merrell held executive roles at TCI, Primestart Satellite, and AT&T Broadband before establishing The Communications Consulting Group Inc in 2003. As the founder of CCG, he leads a team that serves as a fiduciary for thousands of Homeowners Associations and over 70...

As a Principal Consultant for Tilson Technology Consulting's Broadband Consulting team, Heather advises clients on all aspects of grant preparation and grants management and supports clients with application preparation and awardee program compliance, as well as programmatic monitoring and...

Adam Moore is Group Vice President of Customer Operations and Product and Technology for Spectrum Community Solutions. In this role, he is responsible for customer service, customer experience, product and technology for our more than two million Spectrum Community Solutions customers. He joined...

Lisa Moore brings over 20 years of experience in development and construction to the JPI team. As Director of Design Innovation at JPI Companies, she leads the efforts in research, design, bulk negotiations, and installation oversight of all things low voltage and smart building technology, to...

As a policy analyst, Patrick conducts research and analysis to advance workforce policies, funding and systems that increase access to skills training, worker equity, and build an inclusive economy. His areas of focus include the public workforce development system, support services, workforce...

Dan is a loving husband and father, and a serial entrepreneur with experience in all aspects of running and growing capital-intensive businesses from startup to cash flow positive. He is a dynamic, results-oriented leader with a strong record in growing technology-related businesses.  Dan’s...

Paul Narro is the Director of Public Policy for Tekwav LLC. He leads the public policy team for the rapidly growing internet service provider, with responsibility for all of Tekwav ‘s public policy advocacy at the federal, state, and local levels, as well as evaluating new markets, and subsequently ...

Tyler has spent the second half of his career leading Product Development teams responsible for building community-wide connectivity platforms. He began at DISH, where he led the Product team that built DISH Fiber, the world’s first personal PSK-based Managed Wi-Fi platform specifically targeted to ...

Brian O'Hara joined NRECA in October 2017 as Senior Director Regulatory Affairs focusing on telecommunications and broadband issues. In this position, he will develop and direct association regulatory policy on telecom and broadband issues for over 900 electric cooperatives, many of whom are...

Neal is a Vice President based in Cartesian’s Boston office and is a member of the North America Strategy & Analytics team. Neal has 15 years of strategic advisory experience, with expertise in digital infrastructure investment due diligence and M&A. In addition, Neal provides strategic...

Joe Pellegrini is the President and Chief Operating Officer of Great Plains Communications. Joe leads the day to day operations of the company focusing on optimizing efficiencies, mitigating risks, enhancing the overall customer experience and the successful execution of deliverables. In...

With a decade of rich experience in the dynamic telecommunications sector, I stand out as a seasoned National Senior Sales Executive, known for an unparalleled commitment to understanding and fulfilling client needs. By specializing in devising tailored solutions that not only enhance tenant...

Dr. Revati Prasad is the Vice President of Programs at the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society. Working with the Executive Director and Executive Editor, Dr. Prasad defines and implements Benton’s strategic vision and oversees the day-to-day management of Benton's programmatic...

Barney Pullam – Senior Vice President, Strategic Business Services Barney serves as the Senior Vice President of Strategic Business Services at Inland. He is responsible for evaluating, recommending and implementing programs that drive revenue and/or reduce expenses through efficiencies in...

Cole Raines serves as the Executive Director of One Harlan County, spearheading the organization's mission to drive economic diversification within the region. With a focus on fostering investment and generating employment opportunities, Cole plays a central role in steering Harlan County...

Since the COVID-19 Pandemic, I've covered America's economic recovery and the rollout of infrastructure spending in construction and broadband. With a background in print journalism, both as a newspaper reporter and a community newspaper editor, I've applied my community-based...

Lori Reeves is an "Industry Veteran" with over 30 years experience working on all aspects of technology in the multifamily industry.   Lori spent most of career at Forest City Residential (bought by Brookfield) as VP of Strategic Business Services and CIO where she also led Buidling...

Eric Rex joined KeyBanc Capital Markets in 2013 and is currently a Vice President in the Public Finance Group, primarily focusing on the expansion of the firm's Digital Infrastructure practice by assisting clients in accessing the fixed income capital markets.  Over the past eleven years, Eric...

Justin has over 20 years of experience in the technology sector and specializes in helping public sector clients, ranging from municipal governments to federal departments, address their challenges in modernization and digital transformation. His work has included business process automation, cloud ...

Elizabeth (Beth), is a multidisciplinary data, geospatial, and broadband analyst, whose extensive academic background spans geography, environmental policy and justice, and political science. She holds a Master's Degree in GIS/Geography from the University of Kansas. Throughout her...

Michael Santorelli is the Director of the Advanced Communications Law & Policy Institute (ACLP) at New York Law School. The ACLP studies the array of local, state, and federal legal, regulatory, and public policy issues impacting broadband connectivity. Immediately prior to joining the...

Calen Schultz, Managing Director of Community Outreach Partnerships and Performance Culture Consulting, has 15 years of experience Telecom, Cable, and Lifeline/ACP. In addition to his background Lifeline operations and sales leadership, he is a thought leader in distribution, compliance, and...

As Smart City Manager, Vincent develops data-driven smart city infrastructure and digital equity programs. Vincent plays a key role in the Syracuse Surge strategy – the Mayor’s strategy for inclusive growth in the New Economy. He supports the development and implementation of local digital equity...

Jigyasa Sharma is a Smart Communities Program Manager at US Ignite, where she spearheads initiatives addressing a spectrum of technology policy issues within US Ignite communities. With a keen focus on innovation districts (testbeds), connectivity, mobility, digital trust, data...

Jesse Shekleton has over twenty-nine years combined experience in safety, operations, engineering, team building, and business development in the distribution electric and broadband utility industry including over 11 years in field operations as a journeyman lineworker and more than 18 years in key ...

Richard J. (“Dick”) Sherwin has been involved in wireless communications and radio frequency transmission for the past 30 years.  Together with a number of telecommunications veterans, he founded and funded Spot On Networks, LLC, a provider of Wi-Fi wireless telecommunications for the Multifamily...

Angela Siefer Executive Director, National Digital Inclusion Alliance   As the executive director of the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, Angela Siefer leads the digital equity movement. Since earning her master’s in sociology from the University of Toledo in 1997, she has worked in the...

Jennille Smith currently serves as Executive Director at CVFiber, a Vermont Communications Union District committed to providing world class Internet to rural Vermont. An attorney with 19 years of commitment to network transformation, she fosters public-private collaboration for vital...

Katrina Sosa is the Senior Corporate Counsel at Hotwire Communications, Ltd. (“Hotwire”).  Ms. Sosa has over 12 years of experience in the community association, real estate, and commercial sectors, and has represented numerous developers, community associations, lenders, and business owners in...

Donovan serves as the Broadband Infrastructure Coordinator for the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. He has been passionate about new or advanced technology, communications and infrastructure, and overall innovation since a very young age. His background spans 8 years of...

Megan has nearly 20 years of experience working in private and nonprofit organizations in the US, Canada, Australia, and Japan. She has worked in the education, technology, arts, and consumer product sectors throughout her career. Currently, she serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Compudopt, a ...

Sean represents clients across the country on a broad range of communications matters, including high-capacity broadband network projects, public-private broadband partnerships, pole attachments, small cell and wireless facility siting, right-of-way management, fiber leasing, regulatory...

Rob has worked as a financial and regulatory consultant for small to mid-size rural broadband carriers since 1993. He’s responsible for client tariff rate development and pricing and bundling strategies, and has extensive experience in financial forecasting, rate of return...

Austin Thompson is the founder and Executive Director of Community Dynamix a catalyst for multi-stakeholder collaboration focused on the intersection of tech and community impact. He is a philanthropic advisor, technology educator and board member committed to inclusive innovation and equity across ...

Roger has been serving as UTOPIA Fiber’s CEO since 2016 and has been a technology management professional in telecommunications and information technology for over 22 years. Roger has been designing and building broadband networks throughout his career in various roles including Vice President of...

Michael M. Turbes, Assistant Vice President - Senior Legal Counsel, is the lead attorney providing transactional and legal subject matter expertise for AT&T’s Connected Communities business.  Mr. Turbes advises on a broad range of legal issues related to the relationship life cycle between...

Alisa Valentin, Ph.D., is the Broadband Policy Director at Public Knowledge where she focuses on ensuring all consumers have access to affordable, reliable broadband. Before joining Public Knowledge, Alisa was the Senior Director of Technology and Telecommunications Policy at the National Urban...

SENIOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY Chris has been with NoaNet since 2001. As Strategic Executive Director of Infrastructure Strategy, he delivers on network growth and expansion, strategic planning, network development, digital equity, and broadband planning for emerging public...

Mike is currently Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at Extenet, where he oversees federal, state and local regulatory, policy, and government affairs. Headquartered in Frisco, Texas, Extenet is the nation’s premier provider of indoor and outdoor wireless and fiber communications...

Pastor Mark Weaver, Pastor of Visitation Central High School, Kansas City, MO 1974US Air Force Retired, 1974-1995, DOD Desktop 1 Program(1983-1995)DeVry University, Computer Science,1996-1997Friends University, BS Comoputer Science/Business Administration, 1997-1999Gateway 2000, Tech Support...

Reg Weiser is the founder and CEO of Positron Access Solutions. Positron’s GAM delivers Gigabit speeds to the occupants in older MDUs enabling managed Wi-Fi and smart building applications without rewiring. Most major Wi-Fi vendors have partnerships with Positron. Reg also founded Positron Public...

ERADICATION of children and families living in POVERTY by connecting STEM Education, Career Technical Education to Community Building and Development with full participation in the Planning, Design, Build, and Sustainability of the youth and families who live at or below the poverty line.Rising...

Joseph Wender currently serves as Director of the Capital Projects Fund, overseeing the $10 billion program at the U.S. Department of the Treasury and helping to ensure that all communities have access to high-quality modern infrastructure, including affordable, reliable high-speed internet. He...

Amy serves as CTIO for Gigapower, LLC, a start-up fiber broadband network operator.  Gigapower is a joint venture between AT&T and BlackRock launched in May 2023.  As a direct report to the CEO, she has responsibility for the network architecture, roadmap, engineering, product development and...

CHUCK WIEBE, Managing Director - New York, NYMr. Wiebe joined Moorgate Partners in 2022 as a Managing Director to advise digital infrastructure companies and has over 25 years of investment banking and investing experience. Prior to joining Moorgate, Mr. Wiebe was a Managing Director of Houlihan...

Linda Willey serves as Vice President of Business Services for Camden Property Trust, an S&P 400 company. Camden is one of the largest publicly traded multifamily companies in the United States. As of January 1, 2024, Camden Property Trust owned and operated 172 properties containing 58,634...

Kyla Williams Tate is the inaugural Director of Digital Equity for Cook County Government in the Office of President Toni Preckwinkle. This past December, the National Digital Inclusion Alliance named Cook County and its digital inclusion efforts, led by Kyla, as Visionary Digital Inclusion...

 Billy Wise has over 22  years’ experience in building networks for Broadband and SCADA.  He has an Information Technology based education.  He was the Chief Technical Officer for North Georgia Network (NGN). NGN was the First BTOP Stimulus project in the nation.  He has supported hundreds of...

Dean joined Choice in 2010 with over 20 years of experience in business management, marketing and property management. In addition to developing strong relationships with national vendors, he negotiates and leads the strategy on national vendor contracts for our multifamily operators. Dean stays...

Michael Wood is the Market Manager for Clearfield, advancing Clearfield initiatives related to federal broadband funding, Clearfield’s industry certification program, industry events and customer network deployment stories. Prior to joining Clearfield, Michael held various Engineering, Marketing...

Donald Workman is the Co-Founder, Chairman, and COO of Rural Telecommunications of America, Inc. (RTA).  Founded in 2018, RTA brings gigFAST INTERNET® to America’s rural communities.  Seeing the digital divide and the impacts in rural areas, the motivation of closing this gap was the driving force...

Dave Zelenok is an internationally-recognized civic innovator, speaker, author and licensed civil engineer who founded the nation’s first municipal Innovation Team focusing on emerging telecommunications, transportation and smart cities technologies. Dave is Founder and CEO of ZK Engineers and...