Fiber Broadband Association Reveals Finalists for 2025 Awards

WASHINGTON–(May 15, 2025)–The Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) today announced the finalists for the 2025 FBA Awards, selected from nearly 100 submissions. The program recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions from across the fiber broadband industry. Winners will be announced at the FBA Awards Luncheon at Fiber Connect 2025 in Nashville, Tenn.

“These finalists represent the foundation of our industry. They are builders, innovators, and advocates that don’t just talk about progress, they make it happen,” said Gary Bolton, President & CEO, Fiber Broadband Association. “These organizations and individuals are prioritizing fiber and setting the standard for high-performance networks and lasting economic impact, digital equity, and community resilience. They build more than broadband; they build the future.”

The 2025 Finalists include:

• Individual Categories:
  • Advocacy Allstar: Individuals advancing the agenda of the fiber broadband industry on state and federal levels.
    • Paul Breakman, VP, Americas Partners and Business Development, Adtran
    • Bobbie Gilbert, Chief Government Affairs Officer, Ripple Fiber
    • John Reardon, President and CEO, Schurz Communications
  • Fiber Under Forty: Individuals born in 1986 or later that are having an impact on their companies, or the industry, far beyond their years.
    • Amanda Scherer, Senior Director of Business Development, Adtran
    • Jonathan Restivo, Chief Development Officer, Cityside Fiber
    • Jason Moore, Co-Founder and CEO, RouteThis
  • Women Changing Fiber for Good: Females making changes that will impact and improve the industry for years to come.
    • Pamela Sherwood, Vice President Regulatory, Compliance and Broadband Office, Brightspeed
    • Ashley Poling, Sales Director, gaiia
    • LaTavia Bowens, EVP & Chief Operating Officer, Tilson Technology Management, Inc.
• Company Categories:
  • Community Impact: Fiber broadband projects that are enabling communities and changing lives across North America.
    • Hawaiian Telcom
    • Glo Fiber
    • Surf Internet
  • Constellation: Celebrating the companies that formed a coalition that helped advance fiber broadband networks across communities, states, and regions.
    • Alabama Fiber Network, including Cullman Electric Cooperative, Covington Electric Cooperative, North Alabama Electric Cooperative, Coosa Valley Electric Cooperative, Central Alabama Electric Cooperative, Tombigbee Electric Cooperative, and Joe Wheeler EMC
    • Broadband Mystery Tour, including Bonfire, VETRO, COS, Ocius-X, Nokia, and Hexatronic
    • MCNC and Fybe (now eNcore)
  • Light It Up: Teams that are working together to support community broadband fiber network expansion, including construction, planning, integration, and deployment.
    • Glo Fiber
    • Render Networks
    • TAK Broadband
  • Product Innovation: Showcasing technology innovation and advancement that expands fiber broadband’s ability to deliver the services customers demand today and over the next decade.
    • Calix SmartMDU
    • Corning’s Evolv^® FlexNAP™
    • Nokia Lightspan MF

Finalists were selected by FBA’s Conference Committee and the winners will be selected by industry analysts and FBA’s Senior Council and announced at Fiber Connect 2025. FBA will also honor this year’s Photon Award, Gene Scott Award, and Star Award winners at the Award Luncheon.

In addition to the FBA Awards—including the Star, Photon, and Gene Scott honors—the luncheon will also feature the presentation of the Cablefax and Corning/Lightwave awards, as well as recognition of recipients of the All Fiber Certification. Visit the conference website here or subscribe to FBA’s Fiber Forward Weekly newsletter here to stay updated on conference news and more.