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Niki Carnahan

Manager of Business Development - Vetro

 

Nominee Questionnaire

 

Please provide a short bio for voters to get to know you. 

I am a business development and sales professional with a passion for building strong relationships and driving meaningful results. In just under eight years in the broadband industry, I have fostered meaningful relationships, developed creative partnerships, and delivered effective results with the organizations I’ve worked with. I bring creativity, energy, and a strong work ethic to every role, pairing strategic vision with hands-on execution. I am especially committed to fostering engagement and collaboration, and I strive to bring people together to solve challenges, spark new ideas, and create lasting impact.  

 

Please summarize why you consider yourself an excellent candidate for the FBA Board of Directors? 

I bring a fresh perspective and energy to the table, with a strong belief that the future of broadband depends on engaging both experienced leaders and the next generation of talent. I want to help show that this industry offers meaningful opportunities for emerging voices and that their contributions are valuable. By introducing new, creative ideas, I aim to help the industry stay dynamic and forward-looking while also attracting the skilled workforce needed to achieve our shared goal of connecting communities through broadband.  
 

Describe your current position and functional responsibilities to your company. 

In my current role at VETRO, I lead business development by using creative approaches to spread the word about our solutions and drive growth. I focus on fostering collaboration and finding innovative ways to achieve organizational objectives. I prioritize building meaningful relationships, making every interaction purposeful rather than transactional, and ensuring that connections I create deliver lasting value.  

 

What was your previous position, and how long did you hold that position before transitioning to your current one? 

My previous roles combined business development and account executive responsibilities, which I held for approximately six years. In these positions, I was responsible for representing and carrying out the company’s mission and vision in every client interaction, ensuring that each engagement aligned with organizational goals while delivering value to customers.  

 

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. 

No

 

How many years has your company been a Fiber Broadband Association Member?

Approximately 9 years  

 

How many years have you participated in Fiber Broadband Association activities? 

Approximately 7 or 8 years  

 

Please indicate any Fiber Broadband Association Committees or working groups you have participated on including position and years served. 

I have served as a leader on the Women in Fiber Mentorship Committee, where I have been responsible for connecting mentors and mentees and supporting the program’s development. As one of the original members who helped launch the initiative in 2021, I take pride in having contributed to its foundation and have greatly valued watching both the committee and the program grow and thrive over the years.  

 

Please list any Fiber Broadband Association Contributions (activities supported, assets developed, documents drafted, webinars presented, etc.) 

  • Women in Fiber Mentorship Committee Mentor/Mentee guideline – Women in Fiber Mentorship Webinar  
  • Participation in numerous Fiber Connects, Regional Connects, and Member Meet Ups.  

 

Please provide a short overview of your experience with telecommunications, fiber optics, and FTTH technologies. 

Like many, I stumbled into broadband without fully knowing what it entailed—but nearly eight years later, I have loved every minute of it. I have worked closely in the OSP construction and engineering space, providing software solutions to support the operations of fiber operators and EPC vendors. Every day, I feel that I am contributing in a meaningful way, playing a small part in our shared mission to connect communities and expand broadband access.  

 

Please describe the goals you would like to accomplish during your term as Fiber Broadband Association Board Member. 

I feel fortunate to have gained extensive exposure to this industry and recognize that not everyone has the same opportunities. If elected, I would like to help create a space where young, new, and diverse talent can enter and thrive, fostering new ideas and opportunities that will propel the industry forward. I also attribute my own success to the incredible “fiber family” I have had the privilege of working with—an industry community where collective efforts enable meaningful impact. I would be committed to helping the FBA not only lead in broadband deployment but also set the standard for supporting our people, encouraging collaboration, and strengthening connections across members and industry leaders.  

 

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 fully committed to dedicating the time and energy necessary to actively contribute throughout the three-year term. I will prioritize attending board meetings, participating in committee work, and engaging in discussions and initiatives that support the Association’s mission. Beyond the scheduled commitments, I intend to be an active ambassador—bringing energy, creativity, and collaboration to help move the industry forward. I see this role as an opportunity to not only contribute my skills and ideas, but also to engage meaningfully with fellow members to achieve our shared goals. 

 

Please use this space to include any additional information you feel is important to share with voting members.   

I am deeply passionate about the FBA and the role it plays in advancing our industry. I regularly share the value of Fiber Connect and Regional Connects with peers and actively encourage others to attend FBA events because I know how impactful these interactions can be. Over the years, I’ve been consistently impressed by the FBA team—their professionalism, kindness, and ability to execute with energy and integrity—and I would be honored to help highlight their efforts and contribute to the Association’s success.  

As a board member, I want to help foster stronger collaboration among current members while also encouraging new talent to enter the workforce. Just as important, I want to ensure that emerging voices know their perspectives are welcomed and valued. Creating a supportive environment where fresh ideas can thrive will be critical to the continued growth of our industry, and I am committed to helping the FBA lead the way in making that a reality.