CBAN Expands Board: “We’re ready for what’s next”

CBAN Expands Board: “We’re ready for what’s next”

INDIANOLA, IA — The Community Broadband Action Network (CBAN) proudly announces the expansion of its board of directors from five to seven members. Two vacant seats were also filled.

The CBAN board is composed of CBAN members, both individuals and representatives from member organizations, across every membership category. The new seven-member board deepens CBAN’s expertise in nonprofit leadership, finance, law and policy, network best practices, and more.

Newly seated members include:

• Deb Socia (Treasurer), recently retired from Chattanooga’s Enterprise Center.

• Julie Smith, J.A. Smith Law

• Jill Thornton (Secretary), Consortia Consulting

• Mike Brems, Power & Tel

They join Jon Willow (President), Dave Schilling (Vice President), and Christopher Roy. Full bios of all board and team members are available on the CBAN website.

“This is a milestone in CBAN’s development,” said Curtis Dean, CBAN Executive Director. “We are significantly enhancing our internal expertise in support of both the organization and our members.”

The decision to expand the board was made late last year, prior to upsets in the BEAD and other federal programs that support communities in their quest for locally-controlled broadband, according to CBAN Executive Director, Curtis Dean.

“Given the impending release of BEAD funding,” said CBAN board president Jon Willow, “we initially hoped to expand our capacity to respond to the growing demand for network construction and digital skills advancement. As the program has evolved, so have the needs of our members, making this move even more imperative.”

CBAN’s board expansion is the first of several moves the nonprofit is making to meet the rapidly evolving needs of its members. Watch this space for further announcements!

About CBAN

The Community Broadband Action Network, founded in 2018, is a member-driven organization dedicated to supporting and advancing community-based broadband initiatives through hands-on technical assistance, education, advocacy, and resource sharing. Learn more at https://broadbandaction.com.