Donovan Spann | Broadband Infrastructure Coordinator
Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development

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 industry employment and over 12 years of direct involvement in IT. Donovan attended Union Commonwealth University in Barbourville, KY, where he recieved Social Media Marketing certifications and graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in Computer Information Technology. Donovan joined TNECD in March of 2023 after serving in various roles and capacities at Connected Nation. His proficiencies include navigating state/federal grant funding programs, FCC broadband auctions, as well as grant review, adjudication, and administration. Other experience includes in-field validation and infrastructure mapping, asset and provider identification, data analysis and provider outreach. Donovan conducts program development, implementation, planning, and program oversight on TN's Capital Project Fund Last and Middle Mile programs, TN's $813.3M BEAD program, and technical assistance to all TEBF-ARP and CPF grantees to ensure compliance with state and federal policies and procedures. He provides assistance with Rural Development grants administration including requests for funds disbursement and review of grants contracting alongside the department legal team. TNECD is actively engaging with ISPs, units of local government, and other broadband stakeholders within the state to bridge the digital divide and connect Tennessean's to reliable, high-speed internet. Donovan is looking forward to networking in Houston and can be reached at donovan.spann@tn.gov