Ashley Travers
Vice President, Strategic Partnership - KGPCo
Nominee Questionnaire
Please provide a short bio for voters to get to know you.
I bring 24+ years of leadership in engineering and global supply chain management, scaling critical projects for KGPCo and Verizon both domestically and internationally. My expertise—and passion is in Outside and Inside Plant engineering and construction, where I led end-to-end OSP operations and pioneered Verizon’s first 5G build from New Jersey to Miami. In supply chain, I transformed U.S. Sourcing operations, establishing Verizon Services in Dublin, Ireland, earning Verizon’s Credo Award, the company’s highest honor.
Since joining KGPCo in 2023 as Vice President of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships, I have spearheaded BEAD strategic planning and execution and aligned on my goal of serving on the FBA Board of Directors. As Supply Chain Working Group Chair, I presented our whitepaper in September, helping members anticipate future industry challenges. I also lead FBA’s inaugural Dolly Parton Imagination Library initiative, driving member engagement and serving as liaison with the foundation, and actively contribute to the Public Policy and Conference Committees.
I hold an MBA from Rutgers University and a BS from Emerson College, with executive education at Harvard, Wharton, and Penn State. Recognized as an ISE Visionary (2019) and Woman of Achievement (2024), I bring both credibility and vision. Community engagement is central to me—I volunteer supporting homeless and at-risk youth, coach youth lacrosse, and lead KGP Thrive, empowering female employees across KGPCo. I am ready to leverage this experience, energy, and network to drive FBA’s mission forward.
Please summarize why you consider yourself an excellent candidate for the FBA Board of Directors?
I have brought over two decades of proven leadership in fiber broadband engineering, construction, and supply chain management, with direct experience scaling some of the nation’s largest fiber deployments. I combine strategic insight with hands-on execution, having partnered with major construction firms to deliver industry-leading builds. At KGPCo, I lead BEAD strategy and execution, giving me a front-row view of today’s federal broadband initiatives. My long-standing engagement with the Fiber Broadband Association has shaped my professional growth, and I am committed to advancing its mission with results-driven leadership, deep industry knowledge, and a collaborative spirit.
Describe your current position and functional responsibilities to your company.
As VP of Strategic Partnerships, I lead strategic initiatives that expand broadband access, including the BEAD program, connecting communities to critical digital infrastructure. I build strong partnerships with state broadband offices, industry stakeholders, and cross-functional teams to drive impactful, large-scale projects. My focus is delivering results while keeping community needs and long-term impact at the heart of every decision.
What was your previous position, and how long did you hold that position before transitioning to your current one?
Director of Network Supply Chain & Competitive Intelligence – Verizon HQ
Led and launched pre-construction staging for Verizon’s 5G RAN build and Far Edge server deployment, managing over 2,000 cabinets annually in support of a $19B wireless network investment. Directed end-to-end supply chain operations—including supply and demand planning, procurement, transportation, 3PL management, and logistics—across four regional distribution centers. Designed and executed global category sourcing strategies for ~$20B in spend and established the network hardware teardown lab to drive cost modeling and competitive analysis, contributing to $4B in annual savings.
Do you have any experience as a member of a Board of Directors? If so please provide name of the entity and number of years of which you served.
Junior League of Morristown- Membership Chair 2 years
How many years has your company been a Fiber Broadband Association Member?
13 years
How many years have you participated in Fiber Broadband Association activities?
2 years
Please indicate any Fiber Broadband Association Committees or working groups you have participated on including position and years served.
Supply Chain Working Group- Ascended to Group Chair in 2025 (served on committee 2 years)
Dolly Parton Imagination Library- Newly created role in 2025. Sole liaison and currently looking to expand committee
Conference Committee- 1.5 years
Public Policy- 2 years
Please list any Fiber Broadband Association Contributions (activities supported, assets developed, documents drafted, webinars presented, etc.)
Supply Chain Working Group whitepaper development and webinar presented
Dolly Parton Imagination Library- Founding Leader Liaison- webinar scheduled October 2025 for all members. Actively recruiting member companies to get involved
January 2025 Women in Fiber Spotlight winner
Fiber regionals & Connect- facilitated panels at every regional and Fiber Connect in 2025
Please provide a short overview of your experience with telecommunications, fiber optics, and FTTH technologies.
I have over 24 years of leadership experience in the telecom industry, including 22 years in management with Verizon, where I began as a field foreman managing union Outside Plant technicians in New Jersey. Over the course of my career, I advanced through roles of increasing responsibility in Network Engineering, Outside and Inside Plant, Supply Chain, and Sales Operations.
At Verizon, I led the 5G RAN fiber build, managing a team of more than 200 engineers, project managers, and 24 construction contractors to deliver 16,000 miles of fiber across 17 markets, including three Super Bowls. During COVID, my team launched the Build Operations Center, leveraging advanced data analytics to support fiber deployment in 72 markets. I was later promoted to lead the Dispatch Resource Center, directing all fiber installation and maintenance operations for Manhattan, and subsequently led the National Sales Operations team overseeing fiber installations for MDUs, MTUs, and SFUs nationwide.
My supply chain leadership included managing global operations for Verizon Services Solutions, directing four international business operations partners in India, the Philippines, and the Czech Republic. These teams were responsible for forward and reverse logistics and global order management.
Please describe the goals you would like to accomplish during your term as Fiber Broadband Association Board Member.
Lead and Expand Member Engagement
- Serve as Chair of the Supply Chain Working Group to encourage active participation.
- Promote outreach to attract new members and foster collaboration within the FBA community.
Develop Strategic Partnerships
- Expand initiatives that create meaningful community impact, including programs like the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
- Leverage partnerships to enhance FBA’s visibility and influence in the broadband industry.
Enhance Industry Visibility and Communication
- Increase active engagement on LinkedIn and other platforms to highlight supply chain topics and FBA initiatives.
- Foster awareness, thought leadership, and information sharing across the industry.
Elevate Supply Chain Awareness
- Bring attention to supply chain strategies, key suppliers, and industry challenges.
- Advocate for dedicated supply chain discussions at every Fiber Regional and Annual Conference.
Please describe the level of commitment (in terms of time and effort) that you intend to make to the Association during the three-year term.
I am excited to actively participate in all FBA Board meetings, Fiber Connect Conferences, and Premier Members events. I enjoy public speaking and representing FBA whenever possible, and I thrive on tackling new challenges—stepping in wherever leadership is needed. I also look forward to serving as a committee liaison, connecting members and initiatives, and leveraging my experience leading partnership programs like the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to drive both industry and community impact. KGPCo’s executive leadership enthusiastically endorses my candidacy for a board position.