Sean Baillie
Senior Vice President of Carrier, Channel and Hyperscale
Consolidated Communications
Sean Baillie is the Senior Vice President of Carrier, Channel and Hyperscale for Consolidated Communications. He is responsible for strategy, go to market and overall performance of Consolidated’s Carrier and Channel business lines. Sean has built teams dedicated to the Hyperscale and Data Center markets. Sean brings more than 25 years of digital infrastructure experience across the fiber, data center and equipment sectors. Most recently, he was at QTS Data Centers where he was responsible for their go-to-market strategy, chief of staff duties for revenue generating units, product, marketing, analyst relations and connectivity strategy. He has also held senior level positions at Ciena Corporation, 24x7 Mid Atlantic, Windstream, Intellifiber and Level 3.
Liz Bowman
Vice President, Government Affairs & Outreach
Williams
Liz Bowman is currently leading state and federal government affairs at Williams, a Fortune 500 infrastructure company with operations spanning the natural gas value chain, including gathering, processing, interstate transmission, storage, and wholesale marketing and trading of natural gas and NGLs. She has 20 years of experience in public affairs, in both the public and private sectors, helping senior-level principals, organizations, and coalitions develop and implement successful advocacy campaigns to meet policy, regulatory, and legislative goals. Her focus is on energy, environment, and regulatory issues - joining Williams from the American Exploration and Production Council, the leading trade association for America’s independent oil and natural gas producers. Notably, she served in the first Trump Administration as the associate administrator for public affairs at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and in the U.S. Senate, as communications director for Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA).
Bob Bratcher
Associate Director, Product Marketing
Verizon Partner Solutions
Bob Bratcher is an Associate Director of Product Marketing within the Verizon Partner Solutions organization. In his current role, he leads a team focused on various service offerings including Dedicated Internet, Broadband, Cybersecurity and Professional Services. Bob is a Communications and Technology veteran having held numerous strategic roles at both Verizon and IBM. His 30-year career includes leadership responsibilities in Data Center Operations, Network Operations, Product Management, Product Marketing and Sales. Bob holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, and an MBA from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Danielle Burt
Of Counsel
Morgan Lewis
Danielle Burt counsels on communications regulatory issues, including transactions, licensing, and telecommunications, media, and technology rules and policies. She advises clients before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), all 51 State Public Utility Commissions (PUCs), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and local and municipal county governments. Her clients include domestic and international voice and data carriers; cable television, open video system, and other multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs); financial institutions; and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), wireless, and broadband service providers. Danielle’s practice involves: Counseling on transaction issues and securing necessary FCC, State PUC, DOJ, and local government approvals for mergers, transfers of control, assets sales, reorganizations, and financing transactions, including those involving foreign investment; assisting clients to obtain FCC and state PUC licenses to provide domestic and international long distance service, competitive local exchange service, wireless service, and satellite service; advising and representing clients on FCC and State PUC compliance and enforcement issues; advising clients on federal government broadband funding programs rules and policies; counseling on rights-of-way, pole attachment, and franchise agreements for construction of telecommunications and MVPD network and facilities; and advocating pro-competitive regulatory rules and policies at the FCC and State PUCs. Prior to joining Morgan Lewis, Danielle was part of the corporate practice at another international law firm.
Dan Davis
CEO & Co-Founder
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 team 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.
Ben Edmond
CEO & Founder
Connectbase
Ben Edmond is the CEO and founder of Connectbase, where he is responsible for leading the company's strategy, culture and operations. Prior to founding Connectbase, Ben served as the chief revenue officer at Global Capacity, where he was responsible for all aspects of the company’s customer go-to-market strategy and execution. Ben has 25 years of experience in the fiber, telecom and networking industries, encompassing broad expertise in the areas of executive leadership, strategy, product, customer experience, sales, marketing and operations.
Gabe Gomez
Vice President, Wholesale Segment
Lumen Technologies
With over 30 years in the telecommunications industry, Gabe Gomez is a trailblazer in helping telcom carriers, hyperscalers, and service providers evolve at the speed of innovation. As Vice President of Wholesale Segments at Lumen Technologies, Gabe leads transformative initiatives that are reshaping how infrastructure is deployed and consumed—merging technical modernization with commercial agility to drive competitive advantage. Gabe is known for empowering organizations to future-proof their networks while deepening customer relationships. His expertise spans optical networking, broadband, voice, cybersecurity, and advanced IP technologies. Throughout his career, he has guided companies through growth by simplifying operations, modernizing infrastructure, and removing friction across the customer journey. Whether he's reimagining go-to-market strategies or unlocking new efficiencies, Gabe brings clarity, momentum, and results to every conversation. He doesn’t just adapt to change—he leads it.
Brian Gregory
Senior Director, Product Marketing
Intermedia Cloud Communications
Brian Gregory is the Senior Director of Product Marketing at Intermedia Cloud Communications. He has responsibility for guiding Intermedia’s service provider marketing initiatives, including product strategy, content development, business analytics, and go-to-market execution. Brian has held various roles in marketing and product management at communication service providers and technology concerns, including Ribbon, Metaswitch and Sprint.
Kyle Hildebrand
Chief Revenue Officer
Vivacity Infrastructure Group
Kyle Hildebrand has more than 20 years’ network communications industry experience, including partnering with communities, government agencies, critical infrastructure clients and Fortune 500 companies to deliver large-scale, integrated technology and communications solutions. Kyle oversees the company’s business development, project development and marketing functions and is responsible for revenue-generating operations, facilitating and executing growth strategies to ensure continued success and profitability. Prior to Vivacity, Kyle co-founded eX² Technology, a Vivacity company, and was instrumental in growing the business into a reliable source for designing, building, maintaining and commercializing critical fiber broadband networks in the U.S. Before eX², he was the Director of Corporate Development and Strategic Business Development for G4S Technology/Adesta and Assistant Vice President for 21st Century Systems. Kyle is a Certified Fiber to The Home Professional (CFHP) and Project Management Professional (PMP). He has founded multiple successful companies, served on the Board of Directors and advisory boards for multiple organizations and non-profits and has multiple gubernatorial appointments. In 2017, he was appointed to serve as a voting member on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Consumer Advisory Committee.
Laura Johns
Founder and CEO
The Business Growers
Laura Johns is the Founder and CEO of The Business Growers, a marketing firm specializing in helping Managed Services Providers (MSPs), IT companies, and telecommunication providers grow revenue. With a team of seasoned experts and decades of industry-specific experience, The Business Growers delivers a full suite of done-for-you marketing services tailored to the unique needs of these industries. A recognized industry expert, Laura is the author of “Know Grow Scale: The Digital Marketing Blueprint for Growing Your MSP or IT Business.” For 20 years, Laura has 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. Today, The Business Growers serves clients across 23 states. Laura was recently named the 2024 winner of a Gold Stevie® Award in the Best Female Entrepreneur – Small Business category in the 21st annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business. In her home state of Mississippi, she has been honored as “Top 50 under 40” and “Top 50 Leading Women in Business.” She is also a member of the Leadership Mississippi program, an honor bestowed on a select few by the Mississippi Economic Council. Laura graduated cum laude from Mississippi College and earned a Master of Arts from the University of Alabama.
Jay C. Johnson
Partner
Venable LLP
Jay Johnson serves clients in a wide range of infrastructure and natural resource contexts, both by guiding them past regulatory and environmental review obstacles to win agency approvals and by litigating the complex issues that often arise in such contexts. Jay focuses on projects that attract scrutiny from both regulators and third-party groups, including mining, rail and surface transportation, and port projects. He was also counsel for the petitioner in Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County, a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision addressing the contours of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Jay has briefed and argued dozens of cases in trial and appellate courts around the country. One of his appellate briefs is featured in Level Up Your Legal Writing by Joe Regalia (Aspen Publishing, 2024). There, the author describes Jay’s brief as “a master class” that “hook[s] you from the first words” by using “storytelling details” that “tug on some heartstrings” and “make you care about what happens” to his client. Jay uses the same persuasive writing skills for all his clients. Jay has experience with a broad spectrum of federal and state environmental laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Clean Water Act, the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and their state analogues. He has also helped his clients win approvals under a range of substantive federal statutes employed by federal agencies like the Surface Transportation Board (STB), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). More broadly, Jay’s litigation experience includes cases brought under the federal Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and similar state statutes, as well as many other laws governing federal and state agency action.
David Loeffler
Vice President, Wholesale & Wireless Sales
Uniti Wholesale
David Loeffler is Vice President of Wholesale & Wireless Sales for Uniti Wholesale, leading a high performing sales team in exceeding revenue targets and opening new U.S. markets. He has 35+ years of experience in the telecommunications industry and is focused on pioneering innovative sales strategies, growing new revenues, and creating a great customer experience. Previous industry experience includes sales leadership positions at Verizon, MCI and WilTel.
Bill Long
Chief Product and Strategy Officer
Zayo
Bill Long is an experienced telecommunications and technology leader. As Chief Product and Strategy 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.
Kelly McLellan
Area Vice President Vendor Relations
Bluebird Fiber
Kelly McLellan joined Bluebird Fiber as Area Vice President Vendor Relations in January of 2025. She brings over 25 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, most recently serving as Senior Director of Access Management at Unite Private Networks (UPN)/Segra. Kelly’s analytical skills and process acumen have enabled her success in the areas of carrier relations, product management, process design and optimization. Prior to her time at Segra, she held management positions at Uniti Fiber, Peg Bandwidth and Zayo. Kelly holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Central Missouri.
Rick Medeiros
Vice President, North America Sales and Global Solutions Engineering
Verizon Partner Solutions
Rick Medeiros is Group Vice President of North America Sales, and Global Solutions Engineering for Verizon Partner Solutions. In this role, Rick leads the Sales, Solutions Engineering and New Business Development efforts for Verizon Partner Solutions in North America. This includes top strategic carriers, local exchange carriers, Internet Service Providers, and Applications and Content Delivery providers. Previously, Rick served as Division Vice President across multiple organizations within Verizon Partner Solutions where he was responsible for evaluating strategic opportunities, creating new business initiatives and account management activities within customer partnerships. Prior to joining Verizon Partner Solutions, Rick held several sales leadership roles within Verizon Enterprise Solutions where he was responsible for delivering business solutions to Verizon’s global enterprise clients in key industries. Rick earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Joy Milkowski
Partner
Access Marketing Company
Joy Milkowski is a marketing strategist and revenue growth advisor who helps executives, marketers and sales teams turn bold ideas into measurable wins. As Partner at Access Marketing Company, she develops go-to-market strategies that boost visibility, engage customers, and drive growth. She’s known for generating smart ideas and turning them into clear, actionable marketing and sales tactics that deliver results. Joy is the creator of the GIVE Method, a value-first framework that moves teams beyond traditional marketing and sales playbooks into strategies that win attention, trust, and market share. Known for her authentic, no-nonsense style, she works with leaders who want to challenge the status quo, create customer-centric messaging, and turn strategy into action. In her sessions, Joy blends high-impact marketing principles with innovative uses of data and AI to give professionals an edge, particularly in complex sales cycles with crowded, competitive markets. Attendees leave with ready-to-use frameworks, tools, and tactics that help them stand out, drive more pipeline, and dominate as “the human in the loop.”
Ilissa Miller
Founder and CEO
iMiller Public Relations
Ilissa Miller is the Founder and CEO of iMiller Public Relations, host of the NEDAS Live! podcast, and Editor-in-Chief of Data Center POST and TelecomNewsroom. With nearly 30 years of experience in the digital infrastructure sector and two decades of focused Public Relations experience, Ilissa advises and works with global data center, network, subsea, and telecom companies to shape and amplify their messages. She serves on the Forbes Agency Council, advises the Nomad Futurist Foundation, and holds board roles with OIX and The In-building Wireless Association (TIWA).
Katy J. Milner
Partner
Hogan Lovells US LLP
Katy J. Milner is a Partner in the Communications, Internet, and Media practice at Hogan Lovells US LLP. Katy provides legal and strategic advice to a broad cross-section of telecommunications and technology industry clients on regulatory, transactional, and compliance matters, Katy represents clients before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Congress, the Executive Branch, and other federal agencies. Katy’s extensive background in telecommunications regulatory work enables her to provide clients with valued counsel and practical guidance on matters related to spectrum acquisition and utilization, wireless services regulation, data privacy and cybersecurity, and enforcement, as well as help companies to navigate the rapidly changing broadband and Internet policy landscape. With her strong interest in emerging technologies, Katy has helped clients understand the legal and regulatory implications of use of artificial intelligence (AI) and uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and advance their innovative business plans. Katy received a B.A. from Emory University and a J.D., cum laude, from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law.
Greg Ortyl
President, Wholesale and Strategic Accounts
Uniti
Greg Ortyl is President of Wholesale and Strategic Accounts at Uniti. He has spent most of his career in the communications infrastructure space with a successful history of leading strategic sales organizations. Greg co-founded PEG Bandwidth in 2009 and served as Senior Vice President of Sales until its acquisition by Uniti in 2016. At PEG he was responsible for overseeing the strategic customer relationships during PEG’s explosive growth, highlighted by consecutive years recognized on the Inc. 500 Fastest-Growing Private Companies list. Prior to PEG, Greg held key sales leadership roles at Level 3 Communications, FiberTower, CenturyTel and other competitive fiber businesses. Greg and his wife, Becky, founded Mighty Oakes Heart Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization, in 2011, with a mission to help families with children who have congenital heart defects. Greg earned a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts from St. Louis University.
Jennifer Parkhill
Senior Director, Strategic Sales Enablement
Verizon Partner Solutions
Jenn Parkhill leads the Strategic Sales Enablement team for Verizon Partner Solutions, the multi-billion dollar, global wholesale business unit of Verizon. She is responsible for the execution of key strategic initiatives and engaging with cross-functional teams to deliver on goals. Jenn was named to Capacity Media’s “20 Women to Watch” in 2023, 2024 & 2025 and is a strong champion for inclusion and talent upskilling initiatives. Prior to this role, Jenn led marketing communications for Verizon Partner Solutions where she was responsible for the development and implementation of strategic marketing and communications plans. Parkhill has a strong focus to prioritize Voice of Customer feedback from multiple forums; partner events, advisory boards, surveys, and focus group sessions. Previously, Parkhill held roles at Charter and Comcast, where she focused on the creation of highly effective teams and programs to deliver on product revenue targets. Jenn received a B.A. degree from Western University, Canada and M.B.A from the University of Colorado.
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.
Staci Pies
Senior Vice President, Government Affairs and Policy
INCOMPAS
Staci Pies is recognized for her ability to navigate complex regulatory landscapes, transforming them into growth opportunities by shaping policies that reduce barriers, unlock funding, and drive innovation in digital infrastructure. Previously, Staci was Vice President of Public Policy and Government Affairs at Crown Castle, where she launched the company’s first Washington, D.C. office and public policy team. Prior to that, Staci served as Senior Policy Counsel at Google, where she expanded market opportunities by ensuring regulations supported the deployment of digital infrastructure and minimized barriers to broadband expansion, and led policy initiatives for alternative access technologies, advancing 5G spectrum strategies and contributing to the U.S. Government’s National Spectrum Policy, which generated $500 billion in U.S. economic value. Additionally, Staci developed and implemented public policy strategies to integrate cybersecurity and privacy protections into connectivity and telecom products, enhancing digital security and regulatory compliance. At Microsoft and Skype, Staci secured support from business champions and the Speaker of the House to implement a rule change allowing Skype usage in Congress. She also developed an action plan featuring technology demonstrations, an educational initiative, and customized user agreements for Congress and federal agencies. Staci also serves on the United Way of the National Capital Area board. Staci earned a Juris Doctorate from Washington College of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Pepperdine University.
Joe Scattareggia
Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer
Uniti
Joe Scattareggia is Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer at Uniti, where he leads business development, product strategy, and marketing for the Wholesale organization. Backed by more than 30 years in global telecommunications, Joe is recognized for building high-performing teams, driving operational excellence, and delivering scalable infrastructure and optical solutions that fuel customer growth. Since joining Windstream over a decade ago, Joe has been instrumental with the company’s expansion and innovation initiatives, previously serving as both President of Windstream Wholesale and Chief Revenue Officer. His earlier career includes senior executive roles at Calltrade, Arbinet and Viatel, where he led transformative programs and consistently delivered strong results in international markets. A champion of customer-centric growth, Joe remains focused on extending next-generation networks and instilling a culture of accountability and excellence across the organization. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from SUNY Plattsburgh.
Christopher L. Shipley
Executive Director, 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.
Tom Spackman
CEO
Gigabit Fiber
Tom Spackman is owner and CEO of Gigabit Fiber, a Dallas-based metro optical transport provider. Previously, Tom was the founder and former CEO of XC Networks, an international telecommunications firm specializing in fiber and wireless networks, data centers and towers that was sold to Flo Networks in 2014. Tom is a subject matter expert in the areas of network security, utility regulation, spectrum management, rights-of-way and large-scale capital projects. Tom is a licensed attorney in the state of Texas specializing in Federal and State communication law. He was a delegate representing the Republic of Mexico at the ITU World Radio Conference in Geneva, Switzerland and has owned and operated network assets throughout North America.
Jeff Uphues
CEO
DC BLOX
Jeff Uphues leads DC BLOX, where he is responsible for setting and leading the company’s strategy, vision and execution in designing, building and operating a fabric of interconnected, highly secure, Tier III rated data centers across the Southeast. DC BLOX currently owns and operates data centers in five Southeast markets of which all have become the de facto Connectivity Exchanges within their respective market for agile, efficient, resilient cloud connectivity and best-in-class infrastructure for digital services. Jeff, a 30-year veteran in the information technology industry, is a tireless tech-savvy executive and business strategist having held C-suite leadership roles for Liquid Web, Cbeyond, Bandwidth, ACSI Network Technologies, MCI and WilTel. Jeff serves as an active board member in several technology firms. He is a graduate of the Harvard Business School, Rice University’s Jones School of Business Executive Education program in Finance and Accounting and completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Texas at Arlington.
David Wuensch
Vice President, Sales and Marketing
Axcent Networks
David Wuensch joined Axcent Networks with 34 years of experience in sales and 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.
Jack Yates
Account Director
Gigabit Fiber
Jack Yates joined Gigabit Fiber in July of 2022 as an Account Director. He has sales experience working for QTS in 2021. He is responsible for expanding Gigabit Fiber’s footprint within the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, as well as focusing on dedicated internet services along the newly expanded south Dallas network.