Jonathan S. Adelstein
Managing Director, Head of Global Policy and Public Investment
DigitalBridge Investment Management
Jonathan S. Adelstein is a Managing Director and Head of Global Policy and Public Investment at DigitalBridge Investment Management. In this role, Jonathan works with all DigitalBridge portfolio companies on public policy and strategic regulatory matters and reviews policy impacts on potential investments. Prior to joining DigitalBridge, he was President and CEO of the Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA). Earlier in his career, Jonathan was nominated to positions by both President Barack Obama and President George W. Bush and confirmed unanimously for each by the U.S. Senate. Under President Obama, he headed the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service as Administrator and was appointed to the White House National Science and Technology Council. Jonathan was nominated by President Bush and served as Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from 2002 to 2009. At the FCC, he worked to achieve bipartisan progress on issues including spectrum auctions, broadband expansion, widening access to the Internet and media diversity. Before the FCC, Jonathan served at the U.S. Senate, in a number of legislative staff positions, culminating as a senior policy advisor to the Senate Majority Leader.
Steve Augustino
Partner
Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP
Steve Augustino is a partner in the Communications group at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP. For over 30 years, he has guided clients through the shifting policies, exponential growth, and extraordinary innovation in the telecommunications industry. 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 and Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) matters. His clients include companies and organizations from around the world, including major wireless service providers, manufacturers, trade associations, and emerging telecom businesses.
Jared Benson
Strategic Partnerships & Alliances Director
SBA Communications
Jared Benson has 20+ years of sales, operations, strategy, regulatory and legal leadership experience in fiber infrastructure, wireless, broadband, and cloud industry segments. He has a proven track record of developing and executing successful sales strategies, building and managing high-performing teams, and driving revenue growth. Jared is currently the Strategic Partnerships & Alliances Director for SBA Communications where his role is to expand SBA Edge strategy in building complimentary strategic alliances and partnerships with the fiber carrier, hyper-scaler, and data center eco-system to maximize on monetizing SBA real estate assets. SBA is a NASDAQ listed company, part of the S&P 500, headquartered in Boca Raton, FL, USA which its core business is to enable Network Infrastructure that provides telecommunications providers with the critical towers, rooftops, and indoor solutions to power connectivity He also served as a M&A Advisory Consultant for multiple private equity firms in Fiber, Data Center & Wireless Infrastructure, where he advised clients on financial optimization, revenue assurance, capital acquisition, business development, and financial modeling.
Mark Brennan
Partner and Tech and Telecoms Sector Group Leader
Hogan Lovells
Mark W. Brennan leads the Hogan Lovells global Technology and Telecommunications industry sector group and is the firm’s Lead Innovation Partner, responsible for championing innovation in client service, new products, and legal innovation across the firm's global business. Mark is a respected voice on privacy and communications matters, and his thoughtful strategies empower clients on matters spanning regulatory consultations and rulemakings to compliance and product design to government investigations and enforcement. He advises clients on artificial intelligence, online content (including Section 230), market entry and licensing, spectrum policy, biometric data and facial recognition, Internet of things, U.S. CLOUD Act, cloud services, calling/texting laws, and other technology and consumer protection Matters. Global internet and technology companies and household name clients in the financial, health care, pharmaceutical, government contracts, advertising, and automotive sectors all rely on Mark to help solve their most pressing challenges. He receives dozens of requests each year to share his insights on telecommunications, privacy, and consumer protection issues at marquee conferences and is well-known for obtaining significant victories for clients on data protection and Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) issues. Mark also advises on other communications and privacy matters, including Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act and state privacy laws, the FCC's CPNI rules, CAN-SPAM, the Video Privacy Protection Act, COPPA, data breach laws, and more. He is a member of our Americas Diversity Committee and was a founding Chair of our global Pride+ LGBT+ ally network.
Eric Brooks
Senior Vice President, Sales
Frontier Wholesale
Eric Brooks is the Senior Vice President of Sales for Frontier Wholesale. Known for his motivational leadership, he oversees the entire Wholesale Sales organization. In his role he places his focus on developing teams, delivering the highest quality of sales results and meeting ever-changing customer demands. His career spans over two decades in organizations such as Seaborn, Zayo, Level 3, and XO Communications where he developed and implemented successful and innovative strategies to satisfy client needs and meet demanding objectives. His expansive background in business development and his ability to master growth while increasing profitability has been instrumental in providing innovative approaches to continuously boost client engagement.
Erick Caldera
Senior Account Executive
Corero
Erick Caldera is a technology veteran with 20+ years of experience, excelling in network engineering, architecture and sales engineering leadership. He's a pre-sales expert known for his ability to bridge technical expertise with tailored solutions, specializing in DDoS security.
Mignon L. Clyburn
Former Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission
Co-Chair, BroadLand USA
Mignon L. Clyburn served as Commissioner on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from 2009 to 2018, and acting chair from May to November of 2013. During her nearly nine years at the FCC, Commissioner Clyburn was committed to closing persistent digital and opportunities divides that continue to challenge rural, Native and low wealth communities. Specifically, she pushed for the modernization of the agency’s Lifeline Program, which assists low income consumers in defraying the cost of voice and broadband service, championed diversity in media ownership, initiated Inmate Calling Services reforms, emphasized diversity and inclusion in STEM opportunities, and fought to preserve a free and open internet. Previously, Clyburn served 11 years on the South Carolina Public Service Commission. Prior to that, she was the publisher and general manager of the Coastal Times, a family-founded, Charleston-based weekly newspaper focusing on issues affecting the African American community. She is currently the principal of MLC Strategies, LLC. Clyburn is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and holds a BS in banking, finance and economics.
Chad Crank
Managing Director
Grain Management
Chad Crank is currently Managing Director at Grain Management, a Washington, D.C.-based private equity firm with over $8 billion in assets under management, primarily focused on acquiring operating digital infrastructure assets. Prior to Grain, Chad worked at Stephens Inc. from 2003 to 2016 as head of the Telecom & Media investment banking group, where he advised on telecom M&A deals totaling over $100 billion in value, including several successful principal investments. Before Stephens, he worked in strategic planning at Alltel and served as an Armored Cavalry Officer in the U.S. Army after graduating from West Point. He earned a M.B.A. in Finance from the Kellogg School of Management, where he graduated as an Austin Scholar, and a M.P.A. in Economics from the John F. Kennedy School at Harvard. Chad serves on multiple boards including Ritter Communications, Great Plains Communications and Young’s Communications.
Dan Davis
CEO
Arcadian Infracom
Dan Davis has 25 years of global operations, strategy, finance, regulatory and legal leadership experience in telecom infrastructure, data center, cloud, medical device and biotechnology companies. After retiring from CenturyLink in 2017 and prior to founding Arcadian Infracom, Dan provided corporate strategy and finance advice to technology companies, as well as private investors in the infrastructure space. At CenturyLink, Dan served in various legal, operational and corporate executive roles for nearly 15 years, most recently as its Vice President of Corporate Strategy. While at CenturyLink, he was a core member of the M&A teams that acquired $30 billion of network, data center and software companies. Dan joined CenturyLink in 2003 after CenturyLink’s acquisition of LightCore, a long-haul fiber company where he was a founding executive. Currently, Dan is the CEO and founder of Arcadian Infracom. Founded in 2018 by seasoned communications industry leaders, Arcadian Infracom is an internet infrastructure development, construction, and operations company. Arcadian builds diverse, lower latency long-haul fiber routes connecting major data center locations for its cloud and content customers while providing low-cost backhaul to digitally stranded rural and tribal communities along its routes for its telecom, cable company, ISP and enterprise customers. Arcadian purposefully routes its fiber through remote rural and tribal communities to help bridge the digital divide in the U.S.
Michael Dover
Special Counsel
Kelley Drye & Warren
Michael Dover is Special Counsel in Kelley Drye’s Communications practice and is based in Chicago. Mike’s practice focuses on cable and franchise regulations, cable transaction regulatory management, broadband deployment, and broadband communications infrastructure. Michael has experience relating to broadband deployment programs, including the Affordable Connectivity Program as well as other federal and state broadband support programs. Michael’s broad-based experience also includes providing advice on dark fiber securitization requirements, regulations involving multi-line corporate telephone systems in U.S. and international locations, and Universal Service Fund rules and compliance. Additionally, Michael continues to expand his expertise to new and evolving technologies, including with respect to regulatory concerns involving cloud computing, cryptocurrency, and artificial intelligence.
Kenneth Dutton
Vice President, Operations & Network Engineering
Axcent Networks
Kenneth Dutton joined Axcent Networks in 2005, and has worked in the industry for more than 20 years. As Vice President of Operations & Network Engineering, Kenneth manages all aspects of the company’s operational policies, objectives and initiatives. He is responsible for successfully leading Axcent Networks’ quality operations, as well as ensuring operational efficiency and fostering client relationships.
Scott Erickson
Senior Vice President, Carrier Sales
Zayo
Scott Erickson is the Senior Vice President of Carrier Sales at Zayo. In this role, Scott has responsibility for Zayo’s largest and most strategic wholesale accounts and is instrumental in shaping the company's strategic direction, spearheading organic growth initiatives, building high performing teams, optimizing cost structures, and orchestrating seamless corporate development and integrations. Scott has over 30 years of experience in the telecommunications industry with key roles in sales, finance, product management, marketing and sales operations. Prior to joining Zayo, Scott held key leadership positions at Level3 Communications, Global Crossing and Frontier Communications. Scott’s expertise spans both international and domestic markets in local exchange, metro, and inter-exchange (IXC) sectors. With extensive hands-on experience in long haul & metro fiber, lit data transport services, packet technologies and fiber-to-tower (FTT), Scott delivers unparalleled value to his customers. Scott is a graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology where he earned both an MBA in Finance and a Bachelor's degree in Marketing. In addition, he attended the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School where he obtained a certificate in Sales Management.
Tamar E. Finn
Partner
Morgan Lewis
Tamar Finn has 25 years of experience representing clients on telecommunications issues before the FCC, state public utility commissions, courts and Congress. She also advises carriers, private equity firms and venture capital funds with respect to investments in the telecommunications, media and technology (TMT) sectors. Tamar advises clients with respect to telecommunications rulemakings, regulatory compliance, audits and investigations, transactional diligence and regulatory approvals. Her clients include competitive fiber providers, communications infrastructure providers, Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) providers, a Telecommunications Relay Service provider, and private equity firms investing in the TMT sector. Tamar represents communications companies in key proceedings before the FCC regarding universal service, broadband, local competition, intercarrier compensation, and Telecommunications Relay Services. Tamar regularly counsels clients in the day-to-day management of incorporating regulatory compliance into their business. Tamar advises clients on all aspects of universal service, including contributions to the universal service fund (USF) and distributions from federal USF and other broadband funding programs, including E-rate. She assists clients with developing basic regulatory compliance programs, prosecuting appeals before both the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) and the FCC, advocating policy changes, and defending companies under audits and investigations for possible violations of laws and regulations. In her transactional practice, Tamar advises a broad range of companies and investors on the regulatory aspects of mergers, acquisitions, and investments. In particular, Tamar advises clients on regulatory diligence issues and FCC, state commission and local authority regulatory approvals.
Michael B. Galvin
Chief Administrative Officer
Granite Telecommunications, LLC
Mike leads Granite’s strategic and tactical legal initiatives, initiating the development of corporate policies and assists with major sales, large vendor relations, employment matters, public relations and marketing and is responsible for the work of in-house and outside counsel. Before Granite, Mike was a partner at a prominent, Boston-based law firm that specialized in business and commercial disputes, and also worked as a state prosecutor. He is active in several bar and civic organizations, including the Federal Communications Bar Association and the YMCA. He also is a multiple time Ironman finisher. He lives near Boston with his wife and three children.
Mitchell D. Garlock
Vice President, Wholesale, Wireless and Channel Sales
FiberLight
Mitch Garlock is the Vice President, Wholesale, Wireless, and Channel Sales at FiberLight. In a career that spans almost three decades, Mitch overseas the sales revenue for FiberLight’s growth segments. He has held leadership positions across the telecom and datacom infrastructure industry. Throughout nearly six years at FiberLight, Mitch has held the positions of Director, wholesale accounts and Vice President of Network Solutions during which he’s been responsible for growing the wholesale segment in size, sales and revenue growth. Earlier in his career, as the Director of National Sales, MSO at Uniti Fiber, Mitch managed the Cable TV vertical and grew the company’s portfolio of transport products and services to the Cable TV market. In addition, he was the Vice President of Worldwide Sales at IPtimize a hosted IP at the edge company and the Partner-Owner Nextgen Holdings a sales consulting organization that worked with new companies trying to break into the telecommunications industry. Mitch holds both Electronics Technology Associates and Bachelors of Business degree from Florida Metropolitan University.
Craig A. Gilley
Partner
Venable LLP
Craig Gilley provides a broad range of services for regulated communications entities, as well as information technology, education technology, investment, and private equity companies. Craig's primary practice involves counseling cable operators, broadband providers, internet service providers, video programmers, satellite providers, and wireless/wireline telecommunications providers on a broad range of legal, regulatory, operational, and transactional issues. He also regularly provides transactional, operational, compliance, and strategic advice to information and educational technology firms. Craig also represents investment and private equity companies, providing transactional and compliance support to ensure that both their acquisitions and ongoing investments fully comply with regulatory requirements.
Jezzibell Gilmore
Chief Commercial Officer
Connectbase
Jezzibell Gilmore is the Chief Commercial Officer at Connectbase, leading all sales, marketing, and customer-facing functions while contributing to strategies to scale the platform. Jezzibell has more than two decades of industry experience, including co-founding
Network-as-a-Service provider PacketFabric more than eight years ago and serving as the company’s CCO. She has also held various leadership roles with organizations such as GTT, IX Reach (now part of PCCW Console Connect), and NANOG and has become a sought-after speaker in the industry.
Kevin Hart
CEO
Segra+UPN
Kevin Hart serves as CEO of Segra+UPN, one of the largest independent fiber infrastructure bandwidth companies in the Eastern U.S. With more than 30 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, Kevin was the CTO at Cox Communications leading multiple functions including Product Development and Management, Enterprise IT Development & Operations, Security, Network Operations, and more. Under his leadership, Cox successfully launched several innovative new products and services across its markets and a portfolio of other leading commercial products. He also served as CIO for Clearwire, the first national 4G wireless carrier in the U.S; CIO at Level 3, one of the world’s largest internet protocol communications providers; and as vice president and global practice leader at Capgemini Consulting, formerly Ernst & Young. Currently, at Segra, Kevin focuses on driving revenue growth for the company through innovation and strategic investment. In 2022, Segra staffed their entire executive team and hired more than 200 team members with new capabilities throughout the year. It was an exciting year for expanding Segra’s portfolio of products and services, growing their workforce, and elevating their customer service.
Zenita Henderson
Chief Marketing Officer
Segra+UPN
Zenita Henderson has a deep passion for technology and has over three decades in the cable industry with Jerrold/General Instrument, Motorola, ARRIS (now Commscope) and most recently as Vice President of marketing and business development at the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE®), a subsidiary of CableLabs®. Zenita currently serves as Chief Marketing Officer at Segra+UPN, one of the nation’s largest fiber networks that provides best in class broadband and data security solutions throughout the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. Zenita is an award-winning community and industry relations activist supporting education, arts, science, technology and math (STEM/STEAM) initiatives, healthcare, diversity and inclusion programs in the cable industry. In her spare time, Zenita puts her expert marketing and relationship building skills to work with several organizations including Women in Cable Telecommunications Greater Philadelphia as Executive Champion and also serves on the boards of the Blind Institute of Technology. She previously served on the boards of the Montgomery County PA chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Greater Philadelphia & South Jersey chapter of Girls Inc, Beachglow: Concerts for Charity, Inc., One Diverse Industry and Inner Explorer. In 2014, Zenita was inducted into the Cable TV Pioneers. WICT Greater Philadelphia honored Zenita with the 2015 Inspire Award. Zenita has been recognized each year since 2016 as one of Cablefax Most Powerful Women in Cable and Most Influential Minorities in Cable each year since 2014. In 2019 Zenita was recognized as SCTE/WICT Woman in Technology, an annual award that lauds the achievements of one woman who demonstrates outstanding professional achievement and significantly contributes to the advancement of the cable telecommunications industry. Also that year she was recognized by WICT as a Woman to Watch in Technology, and one of the top 50 marketers in the world by Marketo, an Adobe Company as part of the #Fearless50, driving bold, fearless marketing and digital transformation. In 2020 Zenita was recognized by Cablefax as a Diversity Trailblazer. In 2021, Zenita’s team at SCTE was recognized by Cablefax as the 2021 First place winner for best Online Event, and third place winner for Best Media Relations to raise visibility of the SCTE brand.
Laura Johns
Founder & CEO
The Business Growers
Laura Johns is the founder and CEO of The Business Growers, a marketing firm serving the B2B telecom, SaaS, IT and cloud-services industries. For 18 years, Laura managed marketing efforts for companies ranging from tech startups to global, multi-billion dollar businesses. She spent nearly half her career serving as a corporate marketing executive in the telecommunications industry before starting The Business Growers. Her career focus is developing marketing strategies for technology companies that lead to tangible success. Today, The Business Growers serves over 50 clients in 15 states. Laura has been honored as “Top 50 under 40” and “Top 50 Leading Women in Business” in her home state of Mississippi. Today, she is a member of the Leadership Mississippi program, an honor bestowed on a select group by the Mississippi Economic Council. She also is the co-founder and host of The Home and The Hustle podcast for working moms and The Know, Grow and Scale videocast and podcast for entrepreneurs.
Dana Kaufman
Executive Director of Strategic Accounts
Corero
Dana is the Director of Strategic Accounts for Corero Network Security, the leading DDoS provider for ISP’s. Corero’s award winning DDoS protection solutions are built for productization to increase per customer revenue. Dana is responsible for ensuring Corero customers are meeting their DDoS protection revenue goals. She is a technology veteran with 15+ years of experience in IT, network security and network solutions. She is passionate about enabling providers to offer best in breed DDoS protection services to their customers.
Michelle R. King
Director, Fiber Technology, Optical Fiber and Cable
Corning Optical Communications
Michelle King is the Director, Fiber Technology in Corning Optical Communications at Corning Incorporated. Prior to her current role, she held several positions within Technology inclusive of product and process development, program management, and strategy development. Her experience extends to both plant manufacturing at the Wilmington site and division level product line management. King joined Corning in 1991 as a Development Engineer in Fiber. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Ceramic Engineering and master’s degree in Glass Science from Alfred University. She holds 3 patents and an external publication from her work at Corning.
Angie Kronenberg
President
INCOMPAS
As President of INCOMPAS, Angie is responsible for managing the association’s policy team and its work before federal, state, and local governments, and she leads the association’s efforts on membership and business development. She joined the association in 2013 as its Chief Advocate & General Counsel and was promoted to President in 2023. Angie has successfully influenced and shaped some of the most complex, high-profile matters in the communications space, and she is an expert on technology and telecommunications policy, including broadband deployment, access, and availability, universal service, net neutrality, merger reviews, competition policy, and administrative law. She also has been integral to the association’s modernization and growth. FierceTelecom named Angie a "Rising Star in Wireline" in 2014 and one of the Top Women in Wireline in 2015 for her advocacy work on behalf of INCOMPAS and its members. Angie is a member of the Federal Communications Bar Association and has been involved in its leadership as a former Executive Committee and Nominations Committee member. Before joining INCOMPAS, Angie was legal advisor to FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, where she was primarily responsible for the Commissioner’s wireline and broadband agenda, including the Commissioner’s work as chair of three federal-state joint boards. Prior to that, Angie was a special counsel in the Spectrum and Competition Policy Division of the FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. She also practiced telecommunications and media law in the Washington, D.C. office of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP for more than a decade. Angie earned a Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from the Columbus School of Law at The Catholic University of America, where she also earned a certification from The Institute for Communications Law Studies, and she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, from Baylor University and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.
David Lehman
Program Manager, ConnectLA
State of Louisiana
David specializes in economic, fiscal and policy issues. He has a master's in public administration from LSU where he served as a Governor's Fellow in Economic Development and supported his professors with their economic research. As an undergraduate, he earned Upper Division Honors while studying Economics from the Ogden Honors College. Before joining ConnectLA, David spent two years working for the Louisiana Legislature as a budget analyst creating data visualizations for lawmakers and focusing on the $500 million annual operating budgets for the workforce, economic development and tourism departments. Additionally, he oversaw the tracking of American Rescue Plan Act dollars and the $800 million replenishment of the unemployment insurance trust fund. This skill set proves valuable for ConnectLA as the state administers about $1 billion in broadband funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law over the next five years. David is excited to utilize broadband and increase economic, educational and telehealth opportunities for all Louisianians. In his spare time, David enjoys cycling, reading and rooting for Brazil's national soccer team.
Christopher Levendos
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Crown Castle
Christopher Levendos is Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Crown Castle. Crown Castle’s comprehensive portfolio of towers, small cells, and fiber gives people and communities access to essential data, technology and wireless service and opens the door to countless opportunities and possibilities. Chris recently was executive vice president of Field Operations for Frontier Communications, where he was responsible for service delivery across 29 states. Prior to joining Frontier, Chris was an executive of Google Fiber (Alphabet), where he led network deployment and operations and helped expand Google Fiber’s network operations from three cities to ten cities. Chris also served as region president of New York City for Verizon, where he worked for 26 years. Prior to that he served as vice president of National Operations and supported Verizon’s annual capital program investments and operational process improvements. He joined New York Telephone as a field technician in Harlem in 1989, and served in positions of increasing responsibility in operations and engineering. While at Verizon, his teams led the planning, design and early build of Verizon’s fiber-to-the-home network across New York City. Chris helped lead a number of key operational innovations in fiber-optic deployment and holds two patents. After superstorm Sandy, Chris led the recovery effort of Verizon’s wireline infrastructure in Lower Manhattan, converting the entire local distribution system to fiber-optic based infrastructure within six months. Chris serves on the boards for Junior Achievement of New York, the Regional Planning Association and INCOMPAS.
Rick Lievano
Worldwide CTO, Telecommunications industry
Microsoft
Rick Lievano is the Worldwide CTO for the Microsoft Telecommunications industry. Rick works with customers and partners in developing telecommunications industry solutions and reference architectures to address the rapidly changing needs of service providers across the globe. He is an enthusiastic participant and speaker in many industry communities, an advocate of industry frameworks and open standards, and holds TM Forum Open Digital Architecture and Business Development Manager Career Certifications. At TM Forum, he is a member of the Collaboration Sub-Committee, overseeing the effective creation and adoption of pragmatic best practices and standards to deliver value to the membership. Rick currently leads initiatives to help operators achieve more by infusing Artificial Intelligence across their business.
Bill Long
Chief Product Officer
Zayo
Bill Long is an experienced telecommunications and technology leader. As Chief Product Officer at Zayo, he leads the company’s overall product strategy, financials, and roadmap. Bill has nearly two decades of experience in the telecommunications industry with expertise in interconnection and infrastructure services, enterprise and wholesale voice, and business and product development. Prior to joining Zayo, Bill served as senior vice president of product management and was responsible for the overall growth and profitability of Equinix Interconnection and Data Center Products globally. Prior to Equinix, he held several roles at Level 3 Communications, including VP of Voice Services, Senior Director of Voice Product Development and Director of Emerging Opportunities. Bill earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Philosophy from the University of Virginia.
Kelly McLellan
Director, Carrier Relations and Vendor Management
Unite Private Networks
Kelly McLellan is the Director of Carrier Relations and Vendor Management for Unite Private Networks, a high-bandwidth, fiber-based communications network that serves schools, governments, carriers, data centers, hospitals, and enterprise business customers across a 21-state service area. At UPN, Kelly has management responsibility for vendor contract negotiations, purchasing of lit, colocation and dark fiber services and telco-cost review and approvals. Before joining UPN, Kelly served as Director of Carrier Relations for Uniti Fiber, managing an offnet spend of over $30 million from 280 network providers. A seasoned telecom professional, Kelly has held senior positions in carrier relations, project management and product management at Peg Bandwidth, Zayo Group, Citynet Fiber Network, AFN Communications and Williams Communications.
Joy Milkowski
Founding Partner
Access Marketing Company
Joy Milkowski is a dynamic presenter and speaker specializing in a variety of topics surrounding marketing and sales enablement. She’s a “big picture” thinker and a highly skilled strategist in marrying marketing, sales and client experience to drive revenue. One of those big picture processes Joy has developed is called the “GIVE method” – which gets companies to stop “lead gen” and “selling” and approach every interaction with prospects and customers focused on the value you can offer. Audiences from a small breakout session to a hands-on workshop to a large keynote address enjoy her energy and enthusiasm as well as her authentic style and "real talk" approach to challenging subjects. Blending expertise with humor, research and inspiration, Joy creates impactful sessions for audiences with the goal of having each person leave with actionable takeaways. After founding Access Marketing Company in 2005, Joy has been helping companies of all sizes assess, plan and execute successful marketing and sales enablement initiatives.
Ilissa Miller
Founder and CEO
iMiller Public Relations
With over 25 years of experience in the digital infrastructure sector, Ilissa Miller is a sought after advisor offering cutting-edge Public Relations strategies to companies including data centers, internet exchanges, network operators, edge computing, global carriers and more. Through her PR consultancy practice, Ilissa leads her team to develop effective communication strategies, including positioning statements and thought-leadership initiatives to help companies communicate innovative solutions, develop and shape partnerships, and accelerate growth. Ilissa is on the Advisory Board of the Nomad Futurist Foundation; Board of Directors for OIX, formerly the Open-IX Association; and is an Advisory Board Member for Kairos Infrastructure, an EV charging ecosystem startup.
Andrew Mincheff
Director, Government Relations
INCOMPAS
Andrew Mincheff joined INCOMPAS in 2020 as government relations director to help represent members before state and local bodies, including legislatures, public utility commissions and municipalities on technology and communications issues. Prior to joining INCOMPAS, Andrew worked as a government affairs associate at G2G Consulting in Washington, D.C., assisting with the firm’s federal lobbying efforts, preparing clients for meetings on Capitol Hill and at federal agencies, and submitting appropriations requests to Congress. He had previously worked on Capitol Hill for U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) as a legislative correspondent, handling writing and research on policy issues including education, defense, homeland security and healthcare. Following his years as a legislative staffer on the Hill, Andrew worked as a management consultant in Deloitte’s federal practice. His main responsibilities focused on supporting case workers in the Commonwealth of Kentucky on systems integration for their health benefits exchange program, coordinating project plans for allocating grants services within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and leading communications outreach for the New Products and Innovation group at the U.S Postal Service. Andrew graduated with his International Masters of Business Administration (IMBA) from the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Emory University.
Phil Murphy
Senior Advisor, Office of the Assistant Secretary
NTIA
Phil Murphy joined NTIA as Senior Advisor in June of 2021. He advises the Assistant Secretary on a range of issues including broadband, spectrum, wireless innovation and internet policy. Previously he served as Senior Advisor and Legislative Director to Rep. Mike Doyle (D-PA), Chairman of the Communications and Telecommunications Subcommittee on the Energy and Commerce Committee. Previously, he served as a Legislative Clerk for the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet under then Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell (D-MI).
Carlos Nathan
Federal Program Officer, Florida
U.S. Department of Commerce, NTIA
Carlos Nathan joined the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) in October 2022 as the federal program officer (FPO) for the State of Florida. In this role, Carlos coordinates partnerships and outreach with the state and local governments, community groups, and other entities with a vested interest on NTIA’s high-speed internet grant programs and policy issues. Carlos works directly with Florida’s broadband office and the state-level county and municipal associations to ensure comprehensive engagement from all stakeholders in the state on the State’s high-speed internet planning and funding process. Prior to joining the NTIA, Carlos held positions both in and outside of the Florida Legislature. Beginning his career as an analyst in the Florida Legislature in both chambers. He previously worked in the Office of Legislative Affairs for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, serving as Deputy Director and later promoted to Director. Carlos holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Florida State University and a Master of Public Administration from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University.
Victor Noriega
Associate
Troutman Pepper
Victor Noriega is a corporate associate at Troutman Pepper, specializing in telecommunications infrastructure and regulatory work. He represents clients on a variety of corporate, regulatory, transactional, and litigation matters in the communications and electric utility infrastructure industries. Victor’s experience includes representing clients obtaining CLEC and similar telecommunications licenses in various states throughout the U.S., and advising clients regarding compliance with various FCC, state, and local telecommunications laws and regulations.
Caroline Boothe Olsen
Director, Communications and Legislative Affairs
INCOMPAS
Caroline Boothe Olsen joined INCOMPAS in 2023 as Director of Communications and Legislative Affairs and is responsible for overall association and policy communications strategy, and leads its legislative and lobbying efforts to support the INCOMPAS policy agenda. Caroline comes from the Hill where she has forged tremendous relationships specifically in the House over the last decade. She served as Congressman Pete Sessions Communications Director in his personal office and for the powerful House Rules Committee where he was Chairman. She then went to work for Congresswoman Liz Cheney in her Republican leadership office as the Member Services Director and continued working for the Congresswoman on her re-election campaign and leadership PAC. She has worked in communications, press, policy as well as leadership and management roles in the various offices.
Ajit Pai
Partner
Searchlight Capital Partners
Ajit Pai is a partner at Searchlight Capital Partners, a global investment firm, where he focuses on investments in the telecommunications, media and technology sectors. Concurrently, he is a nonresident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where he addresses issues pertaining to technology and innovation, communications policy and market-based incentives for investment in broadband deployment. Ajit’s distinguished career includes two leadership roles following presidential appointments to the FCC. He was appointed Commissioner by President Barack Obama in 2012, designated Chairman by President Donald Trump in 2017, and twice confirmed by the U.S. Senate. While at the helm of the FCC, Ajit had a transformative impact on the future of U.S. technology and communications policy, implementing major initiatives to help close the digital divide; advance U.S. leadership in 5G and other wireless technologies; promote innovation; protect consumers, public safety, and national security; and make the agency itself more open, transparent and data driven. Earlier in his career, Ajit served in various public-sector positions in the FCC’s Office of General Counsel, the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. He also worked as a partner at Jenner & Block and associate general counsel at Verizon Communications. Ajit graduated with honors from Harvard University, where he received a Bachelor’s degree, and from the University of Chicago Law School, where he received a law degree and was an editor of the University of Chicago Law Review.
Greg Payne
Program Management
Axcent Networks
Greg Payne has been in telecommunications since 1994, and he joined Axcent Networks in 2009. Previously he held senior manager and engineering roles at Octel, Lucent and Avaya. Today, Greg is the Senior Account Manager and is responsible for customer relationship management, data analysis, process improvement, and strategic account strategy. When he’s not driving data integrity projects at Axcent you can usually find him enjoying the great outdoors with his kids, or enjoying of the many championship quality Texas sports teams.
Tom Payne
Vice President of Carrier Relations
Uniti
Tom Payne is the Vice President of Carrier Relations at Uniti, a premier provider of telecommunications infrastructure and network services spanning more than 38 States. Tom’s responsibilities include all purchasing of dark fiber, lit services, and high-availability space for Uniti accounting for more than $38 million annually in off-net expense. Before joining Uniti, Tom held senior positions in carrier relations or network planning at PEG Bandwidth, Zayo Group, Citynet Fiber Network, AFN Communications, Williams Communications, EDS and Nortel Networks. Tom is a recognized industry expert in the areas of dark fiber purchasing and construction, colo selection and planning, and buy vs build network analysis with extensive knowledge in telecom real estate planning and acquisition. Tom frequently speaks at industry events and has been featured in industry journals including Capacity Magazine, Light Reading, and Fat Pipe. He has been an invited speaker at Oklahoma State University and Arkansas State business schools and has been featured in marketing research journals and text books.
Chip Pickering
CEO
INCOMPAS
Chip Pickering has been CEO of INCOMPAS since January 2014. During that time, INCOMPAS has achieved significant growth with leading internet, backbone, business broadband, wireless, and international companies. Under his leadership, INCOMPAS has led numerous public policy campaigns promoting competition through an open internet and in the business broadband market. Pickering was a six-term Congressman representing Mississippi’s Third District. During his time in the House, he served on the Energy & Commerce Committee, where he was vice chairman from 2002 to 2006 and a member of the Telecommunications Subcommittee. He also was co-chairman and founder of the Congressional Wireless Caucus and an assistant minority whip of the House. Previously, Chip worked for Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) and served as a staff member on the Senate Commerce Committee, where he helped shape the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Because of his role in drafting the 1996 Act, he became well known as a Congressional leader on telecommunications issues. While in Congress, Chip served as chair of the subcommittee overseeing the transition to the commercial internet, the establishment of domain names, registries, and internet governance. He also successfully led a bipartisan legislative effort to codify net neutrality principles through the House in 2006. Prior to joining INCOMPAS, Chip was a partner with Capitol Resources LLC, a public affairs and government relations firm, where he represented an array of telecom clients, including wireless, cable and competitive broadband providers, as well as non-profits and companies specializing in education, energy, technology and defense.
Alan G. Poole
Partner
Troutman Pepper
Alan is a partner of Troutman Pepper’s communications infrastructure practice, part of the larger corporate group of the firm. Alan is an experienced, results-driven legal and business advisor in the communications and electric utility infrastructure spaces. He has extensive, hands-on experience in all aspects of infrastructure deployment with a focus in linear fiber optic networks. Alan’s client base includes all classes of entities in the communications infrastructure space, including internet service providers, telecommunications providers, middle-mile providers, construction companies, utilities, and others. Clients seek Alan’s guidance in corporate and commercial transactions, regulatory strategy and mission critical problems in need of a creative and cost-effective solution.
Carey Roesel
Vice President and Consultant
Inteserra
Carey’s goal is to partner with clients to facilitate execution of their business plans – particularly within the context of a changing regulatory environment and often contentious intercarrier relationships. His telecommunications consulting expertise involves a broad range of services, including state and federal regulatory strategies, M&A, market entry/certification, advocacy, compliance, and pricing. Carey also spends much of his time guiding intercarrier agreements and resolving intercarrier compensation disputes. Carey has provided expert testimony in numerous telecom cases including subjects such as intercarrier compensation, tariff compliance, and call completion. He enjoys borrowing from these experiences to deliver lively presentations to clients and industry groups. Carey has been a Consultant at Inteserra since the early days of competition in telecommunications resulting from the 1996 Telecom Act. His initial perspective on telecom regulatory matters was formed during his tenure with the ILEC now known as CenturyLink where he held various regulatory and business planning positions. Since that time, Carey has guided many clients through constantly changing regulatory policies and technological innovations which have characterized the telecommunications industry over the last 25 years. His clients include large and small companies from both developing and established telecom markets, and include intermediate carriers, cable providers, wireless resellers, and application service providers.
Kevin Shatzkamer
Managing Director Engineering GCP Cloud AI & Industry Solutions
Google
Kevin Shatzkamer works in works in Google Cloud’s Conversational AI Engineering team leading strategic partnership delivery and innovation. There he is responsible for building enterprise solutions that leverage Conversational AI, LLMs and Generative AI capabilities from Google Cloud’s portfolio. Prior to joining Google, Kevin was a member of the Global Futures Council on New Network Technologies for the World Economic Forum and served in various vice president roles at Dell EMC. Earlier in his career, Kevin was CTO of Service Provider and Mobility at Brocade and held engineering roles at Cisco.
Christopher L. Shipley
Executive Director of Public Policy
INCOMPAS
Chris Shipley was named Executive Director of Public Policy in 2023, and will lead the association’s efforts to expand its advocacy on behalf of members. He joined INCOMPAS in 2015, serving as attorney and policy advisor responsible for representing INCOMPAS on wireless, universal service, disabilities access, media, and competition issues. Before joining INCOMPAS, Chris was an associate with LMI Advisors, advising clients in the satellite and wireless industries on regulatory issues related to experimental licensing and international market access. Earlier in his career, Chris completed a legal internship with Harris Corporation, a telecommunications equipment manufacturer, and served as the legal fellow for Rep. Anna Eshoo, the Ranking Member of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. Chris graduated from the Columbus School of Law at The Catholic University of America with a Juris Doctor in 2013 and also earned a certification from the Institute for Communications Law Studies. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Notre Dame in 2000, Chris served for three administrations as a policy analyst and grant administrator at the Arizona Governor’s Office.
Jessica Simmons
Deputy CIO and Executive Director, Georgia Broadband Program
Georgia Technology Authority
Jessica Simmons serves as Deputy CIO and Executive Director of the Georgia Broadband Program at the Georgia Technology Authority (GTA). Prior to joining GTA in July 2021, she served as a Deputy Commissioner at the Georgia Department of Revenue where she oversaw the Legal Affairs and Tax Policy Division, the Department’s law enforcement divisions, and the Department’s communications and legislative programs. Jessica began her career in public service in the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office. After working in Washington, D.C., Simmons returned to Georgia as the Assistant Director of the Georgia Elections Division and later served as Chief of Staff in the Secretary of State’s Office. Jessica is a native of Marietta and holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Georgia. Simmons and her husband, Matt, live with their two children in Sandy Springs.
Dave Stehlin
CEO
Telecommunications Industry Association
Dave Stehlin joined TIA in September 2019. He brings more than 30 years of experience leading the development and implementation of key business and technology strategies in the telecommunications industry. Most recently, he was the General Manager of Spirent Communications’ (SPT: L) Lifecycle Service Assurance business segment focusing on creating and providing innovative testing and analysis solutions for advanced telecommunications systems and network around the globe. Dave has also been instrumental in the leadership of multiple public and private networking companies including CEO of MRV Communications (MRVC) and CEO of Ceterus Networks as well as President of Overture Networks. He has a keen understanding of how to navigate the business, technology and government factors that affect our industry. Prior to starting his career in the ICT industry, Dave was a Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps. He earned a B.S. degree from the U.S. Naval Academy and an M.B.A. from National University in San Diego, Calif.
Lindsay Stern
Attorney and Policy Advisor
INCOMPAS
Lindsay Stern is an attorney and policy advisor at INCOMPAS. Prior to joining INCOMPAS, Lindsay was a policy fellow at Public Knowledge, where she focused on issues of broadband deployment, affordability and net neutrality, and advocated for consumers at the FCC, FTC and Congress. During law school, Lindsay was a legal intern at the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee in the office of Sen. Richard Durbin, as well as at the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project and Street Law, Inc. Lindsay graduated with Honors from The George Washington University Law School, where she was a member and published author of the Federal Circuit Bar Journal. Lindsay graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Franklin & Marshall College, where she received her B.A. in Government. She also spent a semester studying at the University of Edinburgh. Lindsay is a member of the New York State Bar.
Ricky Trotter
Sales Account Executive
SBA Communications
Ricky Trotter joined the SBA Communication team in 2021. He’s spent the last 20 plus years providing network solutions in the Telecom industry. By focusing on prospects needs and initiatives, he’s evolved with the ever-changing world of technology. “ In today’s tech world, I’m excited about the impact Edge Computing will have in helping to bridge the digital divide in the underserved areas of our country,” he says. Over the years, he’s excelled at building customer relationships and his attention to details.
Denise Villa
Director of Business Development and Partnering
Arcadian Infracom
A skier, hiker and mountain biker, Denise has over 20 years of experience in the telecommunications and technology industries holding various positions in sales and leadership for Sprint, AT&T, Level 3, CenturyLink and now Arcadian Infracom. As a tenured sales leader with a demonstrated history of driving high-performance, Denise has centered her career around bringing resources closer to the customer, exceptional customer experience and leading teams to drive profitable revenue while being an active member of the business community. As a past member of the Utah Broadband Development Council, she focused on driving services to rural communities and worked closely with regional business to bring solutions to the marketplace. During her involvement with National Charity League, she and her daughter volunteered at organizations like the Road-home, Utah Food Bank and The Sharing Place.
Fred R. Wagner
Partner
Venable LLP
Fred Wagner focuses on environmental and natural-resources issues associated with major infrastructure, mining and energy project development. During his career, Fred has handled a wide variety of environmental litigation in federal trial and appellate courts across the country, from citizen suits to government enforcement actions and Administration Procedure Act (APA) challenges. Fred was appointed chief counsel of the U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) during the Obama administration. He managed all legal matters involving the $40 billion Federal-Aid Highway program, including environmental and natural resources issues for highway and multimodal transportation projects. Among other high-profile projects, he oversaw the agency’s defense of the following: New York's Tappan Zee Bridge, San Francisco's Presidio Parkway, Chicago's Elgin-O'Hare Expressway, Kentucky and Indiana's Ohio River Bridges, North Carolina's Bonner Bridge, Alabama's Birmingham Northern Beltline, Wisconsin's Zoo Interchange, and Washington's State Road 520 Bridge. He represented the FHWA on the government-wide Transportation Rapid Response Team, a multi-agency task force focused on improving project delivery and environmental review reforms. Fred began his career as a trial attorney in the Environment Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. He also served as a special assistant U.S. attorney in the Misdemeanor Trial Section of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia. Prior to joining Venable, he spent more than 20 years in private practice at a national law firm focusing on environmental and natural resources issues.
Angie Welling
General Manager, Expansion Markets
Google Fiber
Angie Welling is the General Manager of Expansion Markets for Google Fiber, overseeing the company’s growth in new cities and states across the United States. She previously led communications for GFiber and served as chief of staff to CEO Dinni Jain. She also oversaw public policy and public affairs for Google in the Western U.S. Prior to GFiber and Google, Angie was Director of Public Relations at Salt Lake City-based Love Communications. She has also served as Communications Director to former Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert and public information officer for the Utah Department of Corrections. Angie started her career as a journalist, working as a reporter at the Deseret News, a daily newspaper based in Salt Lake City, for nearly a decade. Angie has a Master of Public Administration from the University of Utah and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. She is currently a member of Weber State’s National Advisory Council and a dedicated volunteer and foster dog mom for Community Animal Welfare Society (CAWS).
Joseph Wender
Capital Projects Fund Director
U.S. Treasury Department
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 broadband, needed to access critical services. He previously served for nearly 13 years on Capitol Hill, most recently as Senator Ed Markey’s Senior Policy Advisor, where he led a team covering a wide range of issues including telecommunications and infrastructure. Joey also worked as then-Representative Markey’s Legislative Director. Prior to working for Markey, Joey served as Counsel for the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. He received his BA from Wesleyan University and graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School.
Rikki Wright
Director of Marketing
LS Networks
Rikki Wright is the Director of Marketing at LS Networks, responsible for strategic direction, vision, and performance of both its commercial and residential brands. With over 15 years of experience, Rikki has put her expertise to work building brand identity, increasing revenue growth and enhancing product portfolios to stay competitive and fit the growing need of businesses and residents. Prior to joining LS Networks, she spent 12 years at Comcast focusing on liner and digital sponsorships, brand voice, customer advocacy and increasing brand consideration across multiple regions in the U.S. During her time there, her team won two Telly Awards for B2B branded content. Rikki greatest strengths are her creativity, drive, and leadership. She thrives on challenges, particularly those that expand the company’s reach.
David Wuensch
Vice President, Sales and Marketing
Axcent Networks
David Wuensch joined Axcent Networks with 34 years of experience in sales & marketing, having lead sales teams for more than 13 years. He was consistently selected for high visibility special projects because of his expertise in breaking new ground and achieving results. Throughout his career, Wuensch has built a reputation for innovative strategic thinking, problem solving and ability to provide focus. He leveraged his key talents at Siecor Optical Cable (now Corning Cable Systems), Fujitsu Network Communications, TrustPoint Management Group and MRV Optical Communications Systems. Wuensch earned a Bachelor of Science degree at the United States Military Academy, West Point, N.Y., after which he served as an Artillery Officer with the 1st Armored Division in Zirndorf, Germany, and with the 101st Airborne (Air Assault) Division at Ft. Campbell, Ky.
Chip Yorkgitis
Partner
Kelley Drye & Warren
Chip Yorkgitis is a partner in Kelley Drye’s Communication group and co-chair of the firm's Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) practice. Chip represents a wide range of service domestic and international communications providers and submarine cable operators in all aspects of federal and, if applicable, state communications laws in today’s fast changing environment. These include entry and licensing matters; policy development and regulatory compliance; agency investigations and enforcement in diverse matters such as universal service and outage reporting; transactional due diligence and regulatory approvals; national security and law enforcement reviews and related compliance before Team Telecom and CFIUS; negotiation, arbitration, and enforcement of interconnection agreements and service contracts; customer and inter-provider disputes and litigation. He advises facilities-based providers and utilities in matters related to pole attachments, occupancy rights, local franchises, and public and private rights-of-way. Chip also represents clients in multiple industries with interests and concerns related to spectrum management rules and policies, helping develop practical, effective, and innovative solutions to spectrum access challenges. He advises numerous equipment manufacturers, importers, and retailers with regard to equipment authorization, human exposure to RF emissions, and other electromagnetic compatibility matters, covering both licensed and unlicensed devices.