Agenda

The agenda is subject to change. Meetings will take place at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa. All times listed are in Central time. Please note this year’s date pattern shift, Monday through Wednesday.   

Attending this conference earns you credits toward your NTCA certificate for course codes P105, T109 and G106. Learn more about NTCA certificate programs. NTCA is offering a Best Value Package for event attendees to take home recordings of the breakout sessions to revisit any time after the conference. 
 

Monday, July 13

3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Registration and Information
Start here to pick up your badge and connect with NTCA staff for any questions you may have.

4:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
First-Time Attendee Session
Jennifer Benson, Member Relations Manager, NTCA
April Irwin, Vice Presdient of Member Engagement, NTCA
Patsy Schoellerman, Member Relations Manager, NTCA
Sheryl Vogle, Member Relations Manager, NTCA
Is this your first time attending the Summer Symposium? This session will have you acclimated in no time. You will be provided with information to help you learn about the ins and outs of the conference, and you will meet NTCA staff to help guide you along the way. Veteran attendees are invited to join in as well. 

5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Welcome Reception
Welcome, meet and greet other board members in advance of the first conference sessions Tuesday morning. 

Tuesday, July 14

7:30 a.m.–4:45 p.m.
Registration and Information

7:30 a.m.–8:30 a.m.
Buffet Breakfast

8:30 a.m.–9:30 a.m.
Opening General Session

NTCA CEO Address
Mike Romano, CEO, NTCA

The TA DA of Teamwork: Succeeding During Change and Disruption 
Joel Zeff, Keynote Speaker and Entertainer 
We are all improvising. We face challenges, disruption, change and obstacles without a script or rehearsal. To find success, we need to work together, build trust and create opportunity. During this session, Joel will discuss how the tenets of improvisation create successful teams during change and disruption. Joel has spent the past 30 years performing and teaching the lessons of improvisation. This interactive, engaging and hilarious session will focus on staying in the game, facing fear, building trust and asking the important question, “How do I help the people around me be successful?” Joel will also bring his famous TA DA energy as he discusses the importance of opportunity, positive support and active listening in collaboration. Yes, you will have fun and laugh during this session. You will also learn how to collaborate more successfully as a team and navigate change. Are you ready for the TA DA?

9:45 a.m.–10:45 a.m.
Board Room Simulations Workshop: Scenario Based Preparation Through AI-Supported Practice 
Joe Candido, Founder and Speaker, Leadership Selling 
This interactive session uses real-world board scenarios combined with AI tools to help participants prepare more effectively for board meetings. In small groups, attendees will work through challenges, generate discussion strategies and compare solutions. Learn how AI can support research, scenario planning and message refinement before entering the boardroom. 

11:00 a.m.–11:45 a.m.
Breakout Sessions

A Board Member’s Guide to Rural Broadband Essentials
Fayyaz Patwa, Vice President of Sales Engineering, Nokia 
In this session, you will gain a better understanding of common terms, how networks are built and maintained, and what factors influence service quality and cost. 

Legal Liabilities for Board Members: Understanding Risks and Responsibilities
Carri Bennet, Partner, Womble Bond Dickinson, LLP 
At the conclusion of this session, you will be equipped with the knowledge to navigate legal responsibilities, protect yourself and your organization, and make informed decisions to mitigate risk. 

11:45 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Lunch Break
A boxed lunch will be available to registered attendees and registered spouses. 

1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Roundtable Discussions
Gather with peers to discuss the topics that matter most. Share your stories and learn from others how boards across the country tackle common issues. 

2:15 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Breakout Sessions

Capital Credits Explained
Todd Thorson, Partner, Forvis Mazars 
This session will provide cooperative board members with a clear understanding of capital credits. You will learn what capital credits are, how they are earned and the role they play in supporting the financial stability of the cooperative. 

From Onboarding to Impact: Using Board Assessments to Support Effective Governance
Nicole Hackman, Marketing Specialist, Vantage Point Solutions 
A strong onboarding experience sets the foundation for engaged and effective board service. Board assessments can extend that journey by reinforcing governance practices, clarifying expectations and aligning members with the organization’s mission. In this session, you will learn practical strategies for assessing board performance, dynamics and individual contributions—leveraging assessments as a tool for onboarding, growth and sustained effectiveness.

3:15 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Breakout Sessions

Human Judgement, Artificial Intelligence, Real Risk
Peter Elliott, CEO, Telcom Insurance Group 
Human Judgment, Artificial Intelligence, Real Risk explores how organizations can use human oversight, governance and disciplined decision-making to manage the fast-growing risks created by AI. The presentation addresses what is known about where AI creates real exposure—privacy breaches, inaccurate outputs, bias and discrimination, intellectual property issues, deepfake-enabled fraud, operational disruption and even bodily injury or property damage when AI is embedded in products or advice. It can also explain why AI risk is not just a technology issue, but a management, legal, compliance and insurance issue that requires human judgment at every step.

Community Accountability and Transparency: The Board’s Role in Building Public Trust 
Steve Seger, Board Advisor/Council Member 
How do board governance practices shape community accountability and transparency? Through examples on open communication, financial transparency, grant accountability and public reporting, board members will learn how effective governance strengthens community trust and long-term organizational credibility. 

4:00 p.m.–4:40 p.m.
Washington Update
Leif Oveson, Vice President of Government Affairs, NTCA

5:15 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
Circuit of the Americas With NTCA Rural Broadband PAC 
LEARN MORE  

Wednesday, July 15

7:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Registration and Information

7:30 a.m.–8:30 a.m.
Buffet Breakfast

8:00 a.m.–8:45 a.m.
Town Hall
Mike Romano, CEO, NTCA
NTCA wants to hear from you. Let us know how the association can better meet the needs of your company, and get information from NTCA staff about making the most of your membership. 

9:00 a.m.–9:45 a.m.
Breakout Sessions

Tech Tools for Smarter Governance: Technologies that Make Boards More Effective
Jason Smith, CEO, Rainbow Communications 
Let's focus on specific technologies that can help rural broadband boards operate more efficiently, absorb complex information faster, and strengthen strategic oversight. It will explore how technologies can streamline board preparation, improve financial and risk visibility, and enhance the quality of board discussions. 

Strong Governance: Core Principles Every Board Member Should Know 
Daniel Gibson, Attorney, Gibson & Sheen, PLLC 
This session will provide an overview of governance best practices designed for both the new and experienced board members. Explore core governance principles — including fiduciary responsibility, transparency, accountability and strategic oversight — and how these responsibilities translate into effective board decision making. 

10:00 a.m.–10:45 a.m.
Breakout Sessions

Financing Rural Broadband Projects in Today's Economic Landscape
Greg Bathrick, Area Vice President, Calix    
Financing for rural broadband projects requires increased diligence and strategic oversight. This session will provide board members with a comprehensive overview of available funding sources- grants, debt, and alternative capital- while highlighting how inflation, interest rates and cost pressures impact project viability. 

Board Bylaws: Strengthening Governance, Oversight and Accountability 
Jason Smith, CEO, Rainbow Communications 
This session will provide a concise overview of how bylaws guide effective governance and oversight. Key provisions, including board structure, fiduciary roles, meeting procedures and decision-making authority, will be reviewed through case-based examples highlighting common governance pitfalls and proven best practices. 

11:00 a.m.–11:45 a.m.
Breakout Sessions

Effective Board Dashboards: Metrics That Matter for Governance
Sarah Beth Aubrey, CEO and Founder, The Envoy Group 
How can boards harness data to strengthen oversight and make informed decisions? This session focuses on the board's role in defining and using effective dashboards that highlight the metrics that matter most. Panelists will review key performance indicators, financial measures, market trends and customer insights to support planning and monitor performance without drifting into operational detail. 

Cybersecurity Oversight: The Board’s Role in Managing Digital Risk
Shira Dankner, Director of Security Services, NineStar Connect 
Gain a practical understanding of your role as a board member in overseeing cybersecurity risk. Common cyberthreats, governance failures and best practices for board oversight will be discussed. 

11:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m.
Group Buffet Luncheon and Awards
NTCA presents the annual Milestone Awards, celebrating 25- and 50-year member companies, and celebrates the roster of new Director Core Curriculum Certificate awardees during lunch. 

12:45 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Closing General Session

ENGAGE: Making the Most of Your Membership
April Irwin, Vice President of Member Engagement, NTCA 

Strategic Planning: A Roadmap for Boards
Andy Glover, Vice President, CoBank
This session will guide you through the key elements of effective strategic planning- how to assess your broadband providers current position, identify growth opportunities, and set actionable objectives.

Navigating Change with Success Based On YOUR Reaction to It!
Sarah Beth Aubrey, CEO & Founder, The Envoy Group 
Change is constant, we all know that. But, did you know you’ve actually got a ‘change acceptance type’? Yes, and so do you your fellow board members. In this session, we’ll explore the 4 Change Reaction Types and better understand how we perform in challenging situations and how to understand our peer’s reactions to change to best lead together.