Nominee Questionnaire

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

Paul F. Weintraub is the Vice President of Fiber Deployment at Watch Hill Technology Group, where he leads large-scale fiber construction and installation projects nationwide. With over 30 years of experience in the ICT and broadband industries, Paul has built a career dedicated to advancing network deployment and bridging the digital divide.

He previously led international business expansion at Superior Essex Communications and served as Vice President of Global Development and Support at BICSI. Additionally, he has actively served on the boards of several prominent fiber and telecommunications organizations, including APOLAN and the Fiber Connect Council MENA, where he has played a key role in governance, strategic planning, and bylaw development. In addition to his leadership and governance roles, Paul is a frequent speaker at industry events, where he shares insights on fiber deployment, technology solutions, and broadband growth strategies.

Paul holds an MBA in International Business from Rollins College and maintains multiple professional certifications, including the Registered Communications Distribution Designer (RCDD). A U.S. Navy Veteran and fluent Spanish speaker, he brings discipline, global perspective, and cross-cultural collaboration to his leadership. He is committed to ensuring the construction and deployment community has a strong voice in shaping the future of broadband through the Fiber Broadband Association.

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

Throughout my 30+ year career, I have worked across the entire broadband ecosystem, from design and manufacturing to installation, construction, and association leadership, serving regional, national, and international companies and clients.

As Vice President of Fiber Deployment at Watch Hill Technology Group, I founded and led a national division overseeing fiber construction and installation across diverse markets. This hands-on experience has provided me with a deep understanding of the complex realities of network deployment, encompassing strategic planning and financing, supply chain logistics, workforce management, and service activation.

I bring a strategic lens grounded in operational expertise, with a clear view of how policy, funding, and standards translate into field execution. Having represented both manufacturers and contractors, I’m able to bridge perspectives across the broadbandecosystem, OEMs, distributors, engineers, contractors, and operators—ensuring FBA decisions reflect the full value chain.

My governance experience includes serving on the boards of APOLAN and the Fiber Connect Council MENA, as well as active roles on FBA’s Education and Marketing Committees. With an MBA in International Business, RCDD certification, Spanish fluency, and global experience across North America, LATAM, and MENA, I offer both business rigor and cultural insight.

I aim to bring the voice of deployment and construction to the Board—a perspective essential to shaping strategies that are practical, safe, and sustainable.

Describe your current position and functional responsibilities to your company.  

I serve as Vice President of Fiber Deployment at Watch Hill Technology Group, where I lead our nationwide fiber construction and installation operations. My responsibilities include overseeing the design, construction, and delivery of turnkey fiber broadband projects, managing execution from permitting and construction through testing and turn- up, and ensuring projects meet the highest standards of safety, quality, and performance.

These are the same challenges mirrored by members of the Fiber Broadband Association across the nation. This direct operational insight allows me to ensure that the Association’s strategies remain aligned with the real-world needs of those designing, building, and deploying broadband networks.

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

For more than three years, I served as Head of International Business at Superior Essex Communications, where I led the company’s global market expansion and strategic partnerships in the fiber and telecommunications space. In this role, I worked closely with customers actively deploying fiber around the world, giving me valuable insight into regional differences, regulatory challenges, and deployment strategies, perspective that continues to shape my work today.

During this time, I also served on the boards of APOLAN and the Fiber Connect Council MENA, contributing to governance, strategic planning, and bylaw development. I joined the Fiber Broadband Association’s Education Committee as well, marking the start of my direct involvement with FBA. My candidacy for the 2024 FBA Board of Directors, though not elected, reinforced my commitment to the Association and clarified how I could best contribute to its mission.

In addition, I spent nearly a decade at BICSI as Vice President of Global Development and Support, where I partnered with the Board to advance governance, standards, and education internationally. This experience deepened my appreciation for bridging the priorities of for-profit businesses and nonprofit associations, a perspective I continue to bring forward.

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.  

I have served on the boards of leading fiber and telecommunications organizations, where I contributed to governance, strategic planning, and bylaw development.

• APOLAN (Association for Passive Optical LAN): Served as Secretary until mid- 2024, providing leadership in governance, board operations, and association initiatives. Continued as a special consultant to the Board after my officer term ended, supporting strategic projects.
• Fiber Connect Council MENA: Served on the Board in 2024 and continued as Director of Strategic Implementation following my elected term, playing a key role in the Council’s governance, strategic planning, and the rewrite of its bylaws.

In addition, I bring nearly ten years of governance experience as Vice President of Global Development and Support at BICSI, a professional membership association. In that role, I partnered closely with BICSI’s Board of Directors to advance international standards, professional education, and global membership growth, giving me a strong foundation in nonprofit governance, fiduciary oversight, and aligning strategy with member needs.

These experiences have collectively prepared me to contribute effectively as a Fiber Broadband Association Board Member, combining deep industry knowledge with proven nonprofit governance expertise.

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

Watch Hill Technology Group has been a Premier Member of the Fiber Broadband Association for just over a year, having joined in September 2024. Although Watch Hill’s corporate membership is recent, it reflects a deliberate and ongoing commitment to supporting the Association and advancing its mission.

My personal engagement with the Fiber Broadband Association predates Watch Hill’s membership. I have participated in FBA activities for several years, including serving on the Education Committee since my tenure at Superior Essex and, more recently, contributing to the Marketing Committee. This continuity ensures that I bring not only Watch Hill’s full organizational support but also a long-standing individual commitment to the Association.

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

I first engaged with the Fiber Broadband Association in 2016, while at BICSI, by fostering collaboration with its LATAM Chapter. That early engagement introduced me to the Association’s mission and the value of alignment across industry organizations.

My involvement deepened during my time at Superior Essex Communications, which was a Premier Member of the Fiber Broadband Association. In that capacity, I joined the Education Committee and supported the Association by exhibiting and participating in Fiber Connect and Premier Member meetings in the U.S., as well as exhibiting and speaking at events through the FBA LATAM Chapter. I also became closely engaged with the Fiber Connect Council MENA, where I served on the Board, exhibited, spoke at events, and contributed to the development of its bylaws.

Today at Watch Hill Technology Group, I continue that commitment by serving on the Education Committee and the Marketing Committee, while also exhibiting and presenting at FiberConnect, attending Premier Member meetings, and participating in regional FiberConnect events.

Altogether, my engagement with the Fiber Broadband Association spans nearly a decade, encompassing multiple companies, committees, and international chapters, which demonstrates a consistent and growing commitment to the Association and its mission.

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

My engagement with the Fiber Broadband Association goes beyond events and membership; I have actively contributed through committee participation, supporting the Association’s mission in both technical education and industry outreach.

Education Committee (2023 – present)

Joined while at Superior Essex Communications and continue to serve at Watch Hill Technology Group.

Marketing Committee (2025 – present)

Began serving after joining Watch Hill Technology Group.

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

Over the course of nearly a decade, I have contributed to the Fiber Broadband Association and its affiliated chapters in multiple ways:

Governance Support: Served on the Board of FCC MENA, where I contributed to the rewrite of the Council’s bylaws, strengthening governance and alignment with FBA’s mission.

Committee Engagement: Serving on the Education Committee since 2023 and the Marketing Committee since 2025, supporting FBA initiatives in training, workforce development, and outreach.

Cross-Association Collaboration: Facilitated collaboration between FBA’s Latin America (LATAM) Chapter and BICSI, enabling mutual speaking opportunities and expanding the Association’s visibility in the region.

Event Participation: Exhibited and participated in FiberConnect (U.S.), regional FiberConnect events, and Premier Member meetings, ensuring company and personal support for the Association.

International Contributions: Exhibited and spoke at FBA LATAM Chapter events (Bogotá, Santiago, Mexico City) and Fiber Connect Council MENA events (Riyadh, Baghdad, Dubai), broadening FBA’s international reach.

Membership Growth: Helped secure FBA memberships at both Superior Essex and Watch Hill Technology Group, including Watch Hill’s Premier Membership in 2024, reinforcing organizational commitment to FBA.

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

I bring more than 30 years of experience in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry, with extensive involvement across the full fiber lifecycle. My background spans distribution, fiber and ICT network installation, design and estimating, project management, and manufacturing, and deployment programs.

I currently serve as Vice President of Fiber Deployment at Watch Hill Technology Group, where I oversee nationwide fiber construction and FTTH deployment projects. My work encompasses the entire scope of network rollout, from permitting and directional boring to splicing, testing, and final turn-up, with a focus on safety, quality, and efficiency.

Earlier in my career, I led international business at Superior Essex Communications, where I worked with customers worldwide on fiber deployments. I also spent nearly a decade as Vice President of Global Development and Support at BICSI, advancing global standards and education in telecommunications, including fiber optics.

I hold multiple industry credentials, including RCDD, RTPM, ESS, and ICT Technician certifications from BICSI, as well as an MBA in International Business. This technical foundation, combined with global experience across the U.S., Latin America, and the Middle East, provides me with a comprehensive perspective on FTTH technologies, deployment challenges, and growth opportunities. This blend of expertise allows me to bring to the Board the practical insights needed to align FBA’s strategic goals with the realities of building broadband networks.

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

During my tenure, I aim to address the pressing challenges facing the fiber construction and deployment community, as these directly impact the success of broadband expansion.

First, the fiber broadband industry faces a significant workforce shortage. Deployment is growing faster than we can train and qualify people, which threatens both project timelines and quality. I will be an advocate for workforce development, specifically by expanding the visibility and adoption of FBA’s OpTIC PATH training and certification programs within the construction and deployment community.

Second, the growing demand for skilled labor is driving higher wages, while many clients are simultaneously seeking lower costs and extending payment terms. This tension often places construction teams under significant pressure, compromising quality to meet deadlines and stay on budget. I want to champion the importance of quality over shortcuts, raising awareness of the risks associated with underfunding, undervaluing, or rushing fiber deployment.

Third, forecasts for fiber deployment through 2025–2030 suggest potential shortages of key materials, which will add further strain to construction schedules. I want to bring the perspective of the construction teams, the people actually building these networks, into Board discussions so that the FBA can proactively address these challenges on behalf of its members.

In short, “I want to ensure the perspective of building those networks is represented in Board discussions, complementing the voices of operators, manufacturers, and other members to ensure that the Fiber Broadband Association’s strategies reflect the realities of workforce, financial, and supply pressures facing deployment companies today. By bringing the construction and deployment perspective, which is currently underrepresented on the Board, I will help ensure that the Association’s initiatives are grounded in the practical realities of building broadband networks, while also promoting long-term sustainability and quality.

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 meeting and exceeding the responsibilities of a Fiber Broadband Association Board Member. I will prioritize attending all Board meetings, whether virtual or in-person, and will devote the necessary preparation and engagement to contribute meaningfully to discussions and decisions. I also look forward to serving as a liaison to committees and working groups, ensuring that their initiatives receive full support.

With the full backing of Watch Hill Technology Group, I have the flexibility and organizational support to devote the time required for effective Board service, including travel, committee involvement, and representing the Association at industry events. Beyond simply meeting attendance requirements, I intend to actively participate in FBA’s strategic initiatives, particularly those addressing workforce development, deployment quality, and sustainability in fiber construction.

My decades of experience in ICT, fiber deployment, and association leadership position me to bring a unique perspective to the Board. I view this commitment not just as service, but as an opportunity to help the Association align its strategic goals with the realities of building broadband networks on the ground, ensuring that our collective efforts accelerate deployment and deliver lasting impact.

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

As the fiber industry accelerates toward historic levels of deployment, I believe the Fiber Broadband Association’s leadership must represent the diverse perspectives of every part of the ecosystem. Today, the construction and deployment community faces unique challenges, including workforce shortages, cost pressures, and material availability issues, yet this voice is underrepresented on the Board.

With over 30 years of experience spanning fiber deployment, ICT design, project management, manufacturing, and international business, I bring both breadth and depth to addressing these challenges. My career has provided me with a global perspective on broadband deployment across the U.S., Latin America, and the Middle East. My service with associations such as BICSI, APOLAN, and FCC MENA has strengthened my ability to bridge the needs of both for-profit and nonprofit organizations.

I am committed to ensuring that the Fiber Broadband Association remains the leading advocate for high-quality fiber deployment and sustainable growth.

With my experience bridging corporate and association leadership, and my global perspective on deployment, I am committed to helping the FBA align its strategies with the realities of building broadband networks, ensuring sustainable growth and connectivity for all.