The Rural Broadband Providers Track is an excerpt that shows general sessions, NTCA sessions and other sessions that might be of interest to rural broadband providers.

VIEW THE FULL TFACC AGENDA
^{You are leaving the NTCA website to go to the 2026 TFACC main page.}
 

Sunday, August 9

Preconference Workshops

9:00 a.m. – Noon
Broadband Fundamentals: Infrastructure, Economics and Strategic Decision-Making
Fayyaz Patwa, Vice President, Sales Engineering, Nokia  
This in-depth preconference workshop will provide a clear understanding of broadband networks and their financial implications. Participants will move beyond basic terminology to explore how networks are designed, built and maintained — and how those decisions translate into capital requirements, operating costs and long-term financial performance. This session will connect technical concepts to financial outcomes, covering key cost drivers, investment trade-offs, funding considerations and factors that influence service quality, scalability and return on investment. Attendees will leave better equipped to evaluate broadband strategies, engage in informed discussions with technical teams and make sound financial decisions in an increasingly complex connectivity landscape. 

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Funding Broadband Right: Financial Strategy, Compliance and Audit Readiness
Kristy Szabo, Director of Consulting, Vantage Point Solutions
Fallon Woods, Senior Analyst, Vantage Point Solutions
As cooperatives continue to invest in their broadband networks, they face growing responsibilities related to overseeing complex funding structures while maintaining strong internal controls and compliance. This session focuses on the financial strategy and oversight considerations that support successful broadband projects throughout their lifecycle. Participants will engage in discussions regarding practical approaches to managing multiple funding sources, establishing and documenting cost-allocation methodologies, and integrating broadband activities into existing accounting and reporting frameworks. The session will also address audit readiness, including common audit focus areas, documentation expectations and lessons learned from recent financial and compliance reviews. Emphasis will be placed on real-world cooperative practices that support transparency, accountability and long-term financial sustainability.

4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
NTCA Welcome Reception
Join other attendees for an exclusive welcome that is crafted especially for NTCA member attendees and their guests. Enjoy an array of food and beverages to kick off the event before the all-attendee reception.  

5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
First Timer Reception 

5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Welcome Reception Kick-Off Mixer
It is time for collaboration, connection and celebration at the Reception Kickoff Mixer. This event marks the beginning of an exciting journey where like-minded financial professionals come together to build a thriving and supportive community. It is the start of a conference that promises collaboration, innovation and support. Be ready to celebrate and make new connections.  

Monday, August 10

7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Registration Open

7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Breakfast

8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Opening General Session    
The Power of Understanding People
Dave Mitchell, President, The Leadership Difference Inc.  
“The Power of Understanding People” provides the tools to understand your own unique communication and leadership style. This info-filled keynote provides an ideal combination of strong content, laugh-out-loud humor and audience interaction. You will discover the cornerstone of high performance and tips for enhancing communication, teamwork, employee engagement, customer service excellence and influence.   

Breakout Sessions

9:45 a.m. – 10:35 a.m.
Managing Capital Credits: Best Practices for Today's Rural Broadband Providers
David Cook, Attorney, Cook and Associates  
Capital credits remain a core financial responsibility for cooperatives, and a key driver of member trust. In this session, we will review best practices for allocation, retirement planning, managing margins and documenting board decisions.

9:45 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.
Creating a Peak Performance for Culture for Gen Z
Dave Mitchell, President, The Leadership Difference Inc. 
This topical and important program focuses on the unique challenges of appealing to Generation Z employees.  “Digital Natives,” as this generation is called, are unique in that they are the first employment aged group that has had access to the internet their entire lives. This breakout highlights the influence of technology, social media and a global pandemic on perspective, mindset and challenges facing our youngest contributors. Participants will learn the unique gifts and developmental needs of this demographic and how employers can best meet them. It also provides practical and immediate strategies and actionable tactics that will enhance Generation Z employees’ performance in the workplace and enable them to achieve their full potential

11:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.  
Capitalizing on the AI Economy: Strategic Opportunities for Regional Operators
Fayyaz Patwa, Vice President, Sales Engineering, Nokia    
As AI-driven demand accelerates, the underlying infrastructure requirements are creating new avenues for revenue growth and capital deployment. Regional operators are uniquely positioned to capture value through existing fiber assets, proximity to end users and access to scalable power. This session examines how to elevate and prioritize investments that support AI workloads — from targeted fiber enhancements to AI-ready network designing — while balancing risk, return and long-term asset utilization. 

Noon –1:15 p.m.  
Lunch 

Breakout Sessions

1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.  
Behind the Curtain: Why Good People Do Bad Things
Adam Hennen, Principal, Olsen Thielen 
Fraud is rarely just a failure of controls and policies. More often, it is driven by human behavior and decision-making. In this breakout session, we examine the human side of fraud through real-world cases, exploring how pressure, opportunity, rationalization and capability can converge to allow fraud to occur. Attendees will leave with practical insights into recognizing warning signs, strengthening organizational culture and designing more effective approaches to fraud risk management.

3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The One Big Beautiful Bill: What Rural Broadband Providers Need to Know
Scott Hoyles, Principal, Olsen Thielen 
Major tax and financial reforms are on the horizon under the One Big Beautiful Bill. In this session, gain clarity on how this legislation could reshape business planning, finances and strategies. We will discuss the potential impacts and proactive steps to navigate the upcoming changes. 

5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Welcome to Marco Island Reception
Day 1 is in the books. Join other attendees for an evening of networking, camaraderie and forging meaningful connections.    

Tuesday, August 11

8:00 a.m. – 8:50 a.m.
Financial Resilience in Rural Broadband: Budgeting, Risk and Revenue in a Changing Landscape
Jason Shelton, Vice President of Business Development, Utility Capital Solutions
For many rural broadband providers, Universal Service Fund (USF) support has long been a foundational component of financial stability. However, regulatory uncertainty, evolving funding models and increasing competitive pressures are forcing a shift in how providers think about long-term sustainability. This session is designed specifically for leaders responsible for guiding their organizations through this transition. Panelists will explore how to move from subsidy-dependent operations to financially resilient business models through disciplined budgeting, scenario planning and strategic capital allocation.

9:05 a.m. – 9:55 a.m.
Optimizing Rural Broadband Growth Through Strategic M&A
Scott Chandler, President, Franklin Court Partners
Evan Feinman, Vice President, Strategy and Emerging Markets, JSI 
Kylie Santos, Associate, Wilkinson, Barker, Knauer LLP 
Barbara Greger, Regional Vice President of Regulatory and Post Award Compliance, JSI 
M&A are powerful tools for rural broadband providers seeking to expand their reach and capture new markets. This session will equip CFOs with a data-driven framework for evaluating targets, integrating operations and maximizing the financial benefits of strategic consolidation. Leverage industry insights from leading experts to navigate the complexities of M&A in the rural broadband space.

10:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.  
BEAD Funding Unpacked: Financial Outcomes, Compliance and Long-Term Impact
Evan Feinman, Vice President, Strategy and Emerging Markets, JSI
Barbara Greger, Regional Vice President of Regulatory and Post Award Compliance, JSI 
With BEAD awards beginning to take shape, finance and accounting leaders play a critical role in translating funding into sustainable outcomes. This session explores what BEAD allocations mean from a financial perspective — covering award structures, compliance requirements and the downstream impact on financial reporting, cash flow and capital planning.

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Lunch

1:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.  
USF Update — Contribution Reform
Brian Ford, Vice President, Federal Regulatory, NTCA
Chad Duval, Principal, Baker Tilly
Brian O’Hara, Senior Regulatory Affairs Director, NRECA  
This session will explore proposed reforms to the Universal Service Fund (USF) contribution system and their potential impact on rural broadband providers. An expert-led presentation will provide an overview of the current framework, recent policy developments and key reform proposals, with a focus on financial, operational and compliance considerations for tax, finance and accounting teams. A panel discussion will follow, offering industry perspectives, practical insights and an opportunity for audience questions to help participants better understand and prepare changes in the evolving USF landscape.

3:00 p.m. – 3:50 p.m.  
NTCA Benefits
Jeff Yarbrough, Member Relations Manager, NTCA
Learn about upcoming changes and updates to the NTCA Group Health Program, Savings Plan and Retirement & Security Program.

4:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
General Session
How to Stay Inspired When You Are So Darn Tired
Christine Cashen, Keynote Speaker and Author  
In a world that often feels upside down, staying energized and positive can feel like a challenge. In this engaging and uplifting keynote, Christine helps attendees take back their power by focusing on what they can control — their perspective, energy and mindset.

Through humor, relatable stories and practical tools, Christine introduces strategies to “Compose and Dispose” of worry, identify personal energy gainers and drainers, and intentionally choose your emotional state. Attendees will learn how to leverage levity, shift their outlook and lead by example — even during demanding or uncertain times.

You will leave feeling recharged, inspired and better equipped to bring your best self to both your professional and personal life. Expect to laugh, reflect and walk away with simple, actionable ideas to help you get your mojo back and feel ready to take on whatever comes next. 

Wednesday, August 12

8:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.  
Looking Beyond the Build: A Strategic Financial Outlook for Rural Broadband Providers
Todd Thorson, Partner, Forvis Mazars 
This session explores financial strategies for diversification, competitive positioning and steady-state operations. Learn how to evaluate new revenue opportunities and build a resilient financial outlook.

9:30 a.m. – 10:20 a.m.  
Cybersecurity Essentials: Protecting Your Bottom Line
Tailored for rural broadband providers, in this session, learn how to assess cybersecurity risks, understand the financial impact of breaches and develop a cost-effective security strategy to safeguard your organization's bottom line.  

9:30 a.m. – 11:25 a.m.  
AI Masterclass: Data Analysis With Excel and CoPilot
Neil Malek, Knack Training 
Analyzing data is one of the core promises of artificial intelligence, and this session will show you all the tips and tricks to do it effectively. Copilot has multiple ways to integrate and interact with Excel, including providing suggestions, building new workbooks from scratch and leveraging Python to deep dive into your data. This session is ideal for professionals who want to modernize their approach to data analysis, and make smarter decisions with less manual effort.  
Topics include:  

• Learning to implement core Excel tools more effectively with Al suggestions 
• Generating charts, PivotTables, and summaries from Al prompts 
• Automating repetitive tasks with macros and Office Scripts 
• Identifying trends and patterns with Python scripts 
• Leveraging Al agents for complex data analysis and dashboard creation

10:45 a.m. – 11:35 a.m.
Smart Spending for Stronger Networks: Operational and Cost Management
Brian Weis, Director of Customer Success, Innovative Systems, LLC 
This session discusses the key cost drivers shaping today's rural broadband operations- from network builds to labor shortages to equipment delays. You will gain strategies to benchmark performance, anticipate pressures and optimize spending in an unpredictable operating environment.