Nominee Questionnaire

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

Chad W. Kay serves as Senior Director of Technical Operations at TFS, where he provides leadership and strategic direction for broadband network operations, technology initiatives, infrastructure planning, and service delivery. In addition to his responsibilities at TFS, Chad serves as a telecommunications consultant for CCI Systems, supporting broadband providers with strategic and operational initiatives. 

Prior to his current role, Chad spent seven years as State Engineer for Packerland Broadband, now known as Astrea, where he played a significant role in the engineering, expansion, operation, and evolution of broadband networks serving customers throughout the region. This experience provided firsthand insight into the challenges and opportunities faced by service providers and reinforced the importance of delivering reliable broadband services and exceptional customer experiences. 

Chad also works with several venture capital and investment organizations, performing technical and operational due diligence and supporting mergers and acquisitions within the telecommunications sector. With more than 32 years of industry experience, he brings a unique perspective that combines service provider operations, consulting expertise, and investment analysis. 

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

I believe I am an excellent candidate for the Fiber Broadband Association Board because I bring a well-rounded perspective shaped by more than 32 years in telecommunications and broadband. 

My experience spans service provider operations, engineering leadership, consulting, and investment advisory work. During my seven years as State Engineer for Packerland Broadband (now Astrea), I was directly involved in network planning, deployment, upgrades, and operational support. This work provided valuable insight into the realities of operating a broadband network and the importance of customer-focused decision making. 

Today, as Senior Director of Technical Operations at TFS, I help guide technical strategy and operational performance. Through my consulting work with CCI Systems and my involvement in M&A and due diligence activities for investment organizations, I also have visibility into emerging technologies, industry trends, broadband business models, and growth opportunities across the market. 

This combination of experiences allows me to bring the perspective of an operator, engineer, consultant, and strategic advisor to the Board, helping ensure that the Association continues delivering value to members while advancing the growth and success of fiber broadband throughout North America.

Describe your current position and functional responsibilities to your company. 

As Senior Director of Technical Operations for TFS, I provide leadership and oversight for broadband network operations, infrastructure planning, technology initiatives, service delivery, and operational performance. My responsibilities include developing technical strategies, supporting network expansion efforts, driving operational excellence, and ensuring our customers receive reliable, high-quality broadband services. 

In addition, I serve as a telecommunications consultant for CCI Systems, where I support broadband providers with strategic planning, operational assessments, technology evaluations, and business improvement initiatives. 

I also perform technical and operational due diligence for venture capital and investment organizations evaluating broadband companies, acquisitions, and investment opportunities. This work includes assessing network infrastructure, operational capabilities, growth potential, and technology strategies within the telecommunications sector. 

My previous experience as State Engineer for Packerland Broadband (now Astrea) further strengthened my understanding of broadband operations, network engineering, customer service needs, and the practical challenges associated with expanding and maintaining high-performing communications networks. 

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

8 years as a Director and Manager of TFS (technical Field Services) = managed and operated the engineering HFC field team and our Fiber Splicing division for CCI Systems.  

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. 

While I have not formally served as a member of a Board of Directors, I have extensive experience in executive leadership, strategic planning, organizational governance, budget oversight, and operational decision-making through my roles in telecommunications leadership, consulting, and M&A due diligence activities. These experiences have provided me with many of the skills and perspectives required to effectively contribute as a board member. 

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

2 years as a premier member and 3 years as a member.  

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

I have been an active participant in Fiber Broadband Association activities for several years, regularly attending Fiber Connect, national industry events, and educational webinars. My participation has allowed me to remain engaged with industry developments and contribute to discussions surrounding fiber deployment, broadband operations, and emerging technologies. 

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

While I have not formally served on a Fiber Broadband Association committee or working group, I have remained actively engaged with the Association through participation in Fiber Connect, national industry events, educational programs, and webinars. During much of the recent BEAD planning and implementation period, my consulting responsibilities supporting broadband providers and stakeholders consumed a significant portion of my available industry volunteer time. 

As BEAD initiatives continue to move from planning into execution, I am now in a position to dedicate more time and attention to Fiber Broadband Association committee and working group participation. I look forward to contributing my experience as a broadband operator, engineer, consultant, and due diligence advisor to support the Association’s strategic objectives and member initiatives.

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

“Don’t Trip at the Starting Line: Mastering Permitting Hurdles in Fiber Optic Design.” 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYpUa8E5NUc 

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

Over the course of my 32-year telecommunications career, I have gained extensive experience in network engineering, broadband operations, fiber deployment, infrastructure planning, technology leadership, and customer service delivery. 

For seven years, I served as State Engineer for Packerland Broadband, now operating as Astrea, where I was responsible for engineering and supporting broadband networks while helping guide network growth and technology evolution. This role provided direct experience with the challenges of operating a service provider network, maintaining network reliability, and delivering high-quality services to residential and business customers. 

Throughout my career, I have been actively involved in the evolution of broadband technologies, including supporting and guiding the transition of legacy Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial (HFC) networks to Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) architectures. These initiatives included network planning, engineering, deployment strategies, and operational considerations necessary to modernize broadband infrastructure and improve customer experiences through increased capacity, reliability, and scalability. 

As Senior Director of Technical Operations at TFS, I continue to support the development and operation of advanced broadband infrastructure while leading strategic initiatives designed to improve network performance, operational effectiveness, and long-term technology planning. 

My consulting work with CCI Systems and my involvement in broadband M&A and due diligence activities further broaden my perspective by providing exposure to a wide range of fiber operators, technologies, deployment models, and business strategies. Collectively, these experiences have given me a comprehensive understanding of telecommunications, fiber optics, FTTH technologies, and the operational realities facing broadband providers today. 

Having served as an operator, engineer, consultant, and industry advisor, I bring a practical understanding of both the technical and business considerations required to successfully deploy, operate, and grow fiber broadband networks. 

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

If elected, my goals would be to support the continued growth of fiber broadband deployment, strengthen collaboration among Association members, and help advance initiatives that address workforce development and industry education. 

I would also like to help promote best practices that improve the efficiency and success of fiber network deployments, advocate for policies and programs that expand broadband access, and ensure the Association continues to provide meaningful value to members across all segments of the industry. 

Additionally, I hope to bring an operator’s perspective to strategic discussions and help bridge the gap between industry innovation and practical implementation. 

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. 

If elected, I am fully committed to being an active and engaged Board member throughout the three-year term. I will prioritize attendance and participation in Board meetings, committee work, industry events, strategic planning sessions, and member engagement activities. 

I intend to contribute not only through meeting participation but also by leveraging my industry experience, professional network, and leadership background to help advance the Association’s strategic objectives and long-term success. 

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

The fiber broadband industry is experiencing unprecedented growth and opportunity. As industry leaders, we have a responsibility to ensure our networks, workforce, and organizations are prepared to meet future demands. 

I am passionate about helping communities gain access to reliable broadband services and believe fiber infrastructure will continue to play a critical role in economic development, education, healthcare, and quality of life. If elected, I will bring a collaborative mindset, practical operational experience, and a genuine commitment to serving the Association and its members.