KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Shirley Bloomfield
Chief Executive Officer, NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association
Shirley Bloomfield is chief executive officer of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, the premier association representing nearly 850 independent, community-based telecommunications companies that are leading innovation in rural and small-town America. With more than 30 years of experience representing the country’s smallest independent telecom operators, Bloomfield is an expert on the role of federal communications policies in sustaining the vitality of rural and remote communities and the benefits rural broadband networks bring to the national economy... |
Jessica Golden
Executive Director, Foundation for Rural Service
Jessica Golden became Executive Director of the Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) in 2015 after spending five years in NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association’s policy shop. With FRS, Jessica works to share the foundation’s mission of sustaining and enhancing quality of life in America by advancing an understanding of rural issues. SESSION: |
Sen. Heidi Heitkamp
United States Senator, North Dakota
U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp is the first female Senator elected from North Dakota. She took the oath of office on January 3, 2013.
Already in her short time in the U.S. Senate, Senator Heitkamp has quickly become a proven senator who works across the aisle to fight for North Dakotans. Senator Heitkamp has personally shown that if senators work together, it can lead to real solutions. Senator Heitkamp sits on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, where she has been fighting for North Dakota’s farmers and ranchers to make sure they get the resources and support they need to continue to feed North Dakota, the country, and the world. Starting on day one in the Senate, she helped write, negotiate, and pass a long-term, comprehensive Farm Bill which Congress passed in 2014. |
Rep. Bob Latta
United States Congressman, Ohio
Since 2007, Congressman Bob Latta has served the people of Ohio’s Fifth Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. Congressman Latta is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee where he plays an intricate role in crafting the nation’s energy, telecommunications, environment, health care, and interstate commerce policy. Latta is Chairman of the Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection, where he advocates for policies and solutions that focus on jobs and innovation-creating 21st Century Commerce. Latta is also a member of the Subcommittee on Energy and the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. Along with his committee positions, Congressman Latta is a Deputy Whip and Co-Chairs the Congressional Propane Caucus and the Rural Broadband Caucus. |
Jannine Miller
Senior Advisor for Rural Infrastructure, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Experienced leader and manager with a demonstrated record of building economic development and infrastructure strategies and solutions. Skilled in Project Management, Communications, Budgeting, Policy and Business Analysis, Transportation Planning and Strategy. Strong operations professional with a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) in Global Business from Georgia Institute of Technology. |
Michael O'Rielly
Commissioner, FCC
Michael O’Rielly was nominated for a seat on the Federal Communications Commission by President Barack Obama on August 1, 2013 and was confirmed unanimously by the United States Senate on October 29, 2013. He was sworn into office on November 4, 2013. On January 29, 2015, he was sworn into office for a new term, following his re-nomination by the President and confirmation by the United States Senate.
Prior to joining the agency Commissioner O’Rielly served as a Policy Advisor in the Office of the Senate Republican Whip, led by U.S. Senator John Cornyn, since January 2013. He worked in the Republican Whip’s Office since 2010, as an Advisor from 2010 to 2012 and Deputy Chief of Staff and Policy Director from 2012 to 2013 for U.S. Senator Jon Kyl. He previously worked for the Republican Policy Committee in the U.S. Senate as a Policy Analyst for Banking, Technology, Transportation, Trade, and Commerce issues from 2009 to 2010. SESSION: |
Michael Romano
Sr. Vice President of Industry Affairs and Business Development, NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association
Michael Romano joined NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association as senior vice president of industry affairs and business development on August 23, 2010. Romano oversees the organization's public policy, government affairs, business development and Foundation for Rural Service initiatives on behalf of its nearly 850 small rural telecom provider members. SESSIONS: |
Jesse Ward
Director, Industry & Policy Analysis, NTCA
Jesse Ward focuses on policy issues related to network reliability and resiliency. She assists in the promotion of NTCA’s advocacy positions, authoring a variety of materials including regulatory filings, white papers, information distributed on Capitol Hill and outreach resources. SESSION: |
Laura Withers
Director of Communications, NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association
Laura Withers is director of communications for NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association. She oversees communication of association messages including NTCA’s legislative and regulatory policy positions, publications, website, marketing, social media, video program and public relations. SESSION: |