Mike Hill has over 50 years in the telecommunications industry. Mike began a 30-year career with Sammons Communications in 1969 as a lineman and service technician and ultimately had responsibility for operations all over the United States from their Corporate office in Dallas, TX. After Sammons sold in 1995, Mike went to work for Atrex, Inc., a telecommunications contracting firm based in Florida.

The last 20 years of Mike Hill’s career were co-founding On Trac, Inc. and serving as its CEO and fulfilling key leadership roles in the Fiber Broadband Association (formerly Fiber-to-the-Home Council NA). Mike was first elected to the Board in 2006 and faithfully served in that role for 14 years, being the longest tenured board member in the history of the Association. His experiences as a Board member included chairing the annual conference in 2007 and 2010 and being chosen by the Board to serve as Chairman in 2008, 2011, and 2016. During his tenure on the Board, he was the recipient of the Photon Award in 2014 and the Chairman’s Award in 2018. Mike currently serves on the Senior Council Committee with the Association.

Mike’s current role with On Trac is Senior Consultant where he provides consultation to the Executive Team and assists with special projects.

Thomas Cohen is a partner in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office. His practice focuses on matters involving communications, including telecommunications, wireless and media, the Internet, privacy and government relations.

Tom has more than 30 years of experience in the communications/telecommunications industry sector, first as a government policy maker, serving for over a decade as assistant general counsel for legislation at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and as senior counsel for the Senate Commerce Committee. He then was a founder and principal in firms assessing and developing communications/telecommunications properties and advising businesses. At Kelley Drye, Tom assists clients with a variety of aspects of communications law, including federal and state administrative and legislative advocacy, business-related legal matters and litigation.

Gary Bolton serves as president and CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association — the largest trade association in the Americas dedicated to all-fiber-optic broadband. With more than three decades in the telecom industry, Bolton joined the Fiber Broadband Association as president and CEO in 2020 after serving on the association’s board as vice chairman, treasurer and vice chairs of public policy and marketing committees.

Prior to taking the leadership role at the Fiber Broadband Association, Gary spent 11 years at ADTRAN serving as vice president of global marketing and government affairs. ADTRAN is a top three global provider of broadband infrastructure solutions. At ADTRAN, Gary was responsible for all aspects of marketing for the company worldwide as well as regulatory and government affairs. Gary has been highly involved in Washington, particularly on FCC and Congressional proceedings and international trade issues.

Prior to ADTRAN, Gary held executive management positions at two successful venture-backed high-tech start-ups as well as at large publicly traded companies in marketing and product line management. Gary served as the chairman at the Huntsville Chamber of Commerce, co-chairman of BITAG (Broadband Internet Technology Advisory Group), a board member at Huntsville Botanical Garden and at the Chamber Foundation, president for SORBA-Huntsville and an MIT CEO mentor at Hudson Alpha, Leadership Alabama, Leadership Huntsville and serves on the University of Alabama in Huntsville college of business executive advisory board.

Gary is currently an adjunct professor in business administration and management science at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and he holds an MBA from Duke University and a BS in Electrical Engineering from North Carolina State University.

Ariane Schaffer serves as Head of Federal & State Policy for Google Fiber and has worked for the company since 2018. In this role, she focuses on broadband public policy, state and federal government relations, digital equity efforts and business expansion. Prior to joining Google Fiber, Ariane was Executive Briefer to the Governor of New York. Ariane holds a bachelor’s degree from American University’s School of Public Affairs in Washington, DC and currently lives in New York City.

Gregg Logan is truly a telecommunications pioneer. After attending the University of Mississippi, he joined C Spire’s affiliate, Franklin Telephone Company, as an equipment installer and technician in 1982. Gregg has risen through the ranks and has accomplished several telecommunications milestones throughout the years including the first fiber optic interconnection from an independent telephone company in Mississippi. During his tenure, Gregg has served in various leadership positions for Telapex, Inc. – the parent company of C Spire – and its affiliates, primarily focused on building out rural wireless markets and directing the development of the company’s fiber optic broadband network that consists of thousands of miles of fiber optic cable throughout Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana and Florida. C Spire’s network provides wireless and Internet telecommunication services to its customers, other carriers, Internet Service Providers, universities, government agencies, hospitals and businesses. In 1988, Gregg was one of a team of nine charter C Spire (formerly Cellular South) employees who launched the first cellular wireless network on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and brought wireless service for the first time to many other parts of Mississippi. And, in 2014, Gregg led C Spire’s ground-breaking efforts to deploy 1 Gigabit FTTH services to communities throughout the state of Mississippi.

As National Market Manager Broadband Markets & Applications for Graybar, Scott is actively involved with network operators. Scott has more than 20 years of technology and business modeling experience in Broadband, IT and telecommunications applications in the industry. In his current role at Graybar, Scott focuses on Broadband networking, applications and the supply chain for broadband network operators, utilities, wireless operators and contractors. His past roles include Service Provider, Smart Grid and Smart City as a market and business development manager.

He is currently his company’s representative for the Fiber Broadband Association, National Rural Electric Association, Utilities Technology Council, National Association of Tower Erectors and Wireless Industry Association. Scott has served as various industry technology committee chair and board of director and officer/chair positions. He also serves, or has served on, various industry tasks forces from time-to-time; currently on the Wireless Industry Association’s Smart City Task Force and as a former active participant on the Smart Grid Task Force submittal of Electri International and Michigan State University School of Planning, Design, and Construction.

Katie Espeseth joined EPB, Chattanooga Tennessee’s electric power distributor and fiber optics communications provider in 2004, bringing with her over 30 years of marketing and telecommunications experience with a national telecommunications carrier. As Vice President of New Products, Katie guides the company’s effort to maximize the value of its 100% fiber optic network with new and enhanced products for both business and residential customers. In 2019, Katie and her team also began offering support to other municipals and Co-Ops who are interested in deploying a fiber optic network for their communities through EPB Broadband Solutions.

Currently, Katie serves on the board for NCTC (National Cable Television Co-op). She has previously served on the boards for FOSA (Fiber Optics Sensing Association) and the LATAM Chapter of FBA. Katie also chairs the Fiber Deployment Advisory Group for TVPPA (Tennessee Valley Public Power Association).

Nominee Questionnaire

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

I have a BME degree from Georgia Tech have spent my 38-year career in the fiber industry with Corning, AFL, and now Lightera (the former OFS).  My experience includes varied roles in manufacturing and applications engineering for fiber-based products/markets and inventor of multiple patents in various fiber-related areas. In addition to FBA activities, I’m on the Advisory Council for the Fiber Optic Sensing Association (FOSA) with a focus on telecommunications applications for fiber optic sensing. I come from a family of educators and have a passion for preparing the next generation of our industry.   

On a personal basis, I’ve been married for 33 years to Betsy.  We live in rural Eastern NC, on a farm that has been connected by fiber since 2012. I am very appreciative of the benefits that fiber brings.   

Away from work, I’m an avid reader, tennis player, and road cyclist on the rural roads where I live.  In general, I’m an optimistic person, and believe connecting the world with fiber ultimately is good for society and humanity.  

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

As a two-term FBA Board Director, I understand the importance of a Board balanced with individuals with different skill sets and experiences. The current FBA board consists of many talented people with varied backgrounds and expertise in policy, operations, sales and marketing.  However, there is no one with a primarily engineering/technical focus. That’s a complementary skill set that I can bring to the Board, and it’s important especially since fiber networks can be engineering-heavy and technically complex. I also bring a deep understanding of the FBA and its mission, and a long-term commitment to its mission. 

Describe your current position and functional responsibilities to your company. 

My team and I work with customers to help them design and build networks with Lightera products. We help communicate the advantages of fiber optic networks, and we also actively contribute to the new product development pipeline.   

In this position, I’ve been fortunate enough to work with all different types of fiber deployers of all types, from large hyperscale companies to local cooperatives, enabling me to have a broad view of how fiber is used across the industry. 

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

My previous position was similar to my current position, primarily providing technical support for customers deploying fiber networks.  I was in this position for approximately 8-9 years.

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. 

• Fiber Broadband Association Board of Directors – 6 years, 2 terms, 2019-2025, term-limited to 2 terms 

• Beaufort County (NC) Community College Foundation Board of Directors – 3 years, 2023-present 

• NC Broadband Matters – 6 years, 2020 to present. 

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

Since inception of FBA (25 years) 

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

Roughly 18 

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

Technology Committee – Approximately 2010-2011 to present. Board Liaison from 2019-2025 

Education Committee – Co-chair – From inception to present, roughly 6 years 

Trusted Fiber – From inception while it was active 

I have participated in other working groups and committees from time to time, including helping to start the Utilities and Canada Working Groups and serving as the Board Liaison for the Deployment Specialists Committee. 

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

I’ve provided significant input to many papers and presentations including the below. This is not a complete list, and I didn’t include contributions prior to past 3 years: 

Education – As Co-Chair, I’ve been part of the team that developed and scaled OpTIC Path Course (>1800 certified), Certification and Rodeo. We’re now developing FBA’s Data Center Course, and FBA Academy and both are expected to launch soon. 

Technology –  

2026 – “The Future of Fiber Technology: What’s Next? “An Introduction to Distributed Fiber Optic Sensing for Fiber Network Operators” 

2024-2025 – “Intro to Passive Optical Network Splitter Architectures, Parts 1 and 2”, Fiber Broadband Scalability and Longevity – Trusted technology with no expiration date 

Prior to 2024 – “Operational Expenses for All-Fiber Networks are Far Lower Than for Other Access Networks”, “The road to 5G is paved with fiber”,  

Trusted Fiber – Recommended Measures to Define and Deploy “Trusted Fiber” in the United States 

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

I’ve had a front row seat to the development, growth, and standardization of our industry since I started with Corning as a Draw Process Engineer in 1988. It’s been an incredible ride, though I really believe the best is yet to come! 

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

As I mention in the Board video, my primary Board goals will be:  

1. To continue to help to strengthen FBA’s workforce development and education programs to align with changes in the industry, real-time 

1. Ensure FBA remains a trusted source of technical leadership and industry expertise 

1. Perhaps most importantly, help position our Association for the opportunities and challenges of the AI-driven future. 

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 will be a highly engaged Board member and commit the time necessary to actively support the Association’s priorities, Board responsibilities, committee activities, conferences, educational initiatives, etc.  

My long history of volunteer participation with FBA reflects my belief in our mission, and I look forward to continuing that commitment while on the Board.

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

I have had a wonderful career in fiber and truly believe we’re doing good for the world by connecting the world with critical infrastructure.  

The strong shoulders of the generations prior to us have built a strong technical foundation for our industry, which has contributed to fiber’s well-deserved reputation for reliability and longevity.  

However, as we transition to the next generation, I’m worried about losing our industry’s institutional knowledge. This has been a motivator for me to help develop educational content to keep the fundamental knowledge in our industry alive.   

I ask FBA members for your vote and a voice on the Board to help guide our Association into the future.  

Nominee Questionnaire

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

I’m Kimberly McKinley, and I got my start in the fiber industry in 2010 at UTOPIA Fiber. I came in as a Marketing Manager, rolled up my sleeves, and quickly found myself deeply involved in the operations side of the business. Over the years, I worked my way up to CMO and Deputy Director, overseeing multiple operational departments while helping grow UTOPIA into the nation’s largest open access provider. Today, I serve as Chief of Staff at TAK Broadband, one of the country’s largest construction firms specializing in network builds, drops, and fulfillment. Along the way, I’ve picked up a reputation for my bad jokes and some pretty interesting dance moves. 

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

Our industry is at a critical moment—balancing unprecedented funding opportunities with complex challenges around deployment, workforce, and execution. Having worked across both the provider and construction sides of broadband, I bring a diverse perspective on how we can overcome these roadblocks and accelerate the mission of connecting America.  

Describe your current position and functional responsibilities to your company. 

As Chief of Staff at TAK Broadband, I oversee the company’s marketing strategy and execution while also managing broader Chief of Staff responsibilities. My role includes aligning leadership priorities, driving cross-departmental initiatives, and ensuring the organization is positioned for long-term growth and industry leadership. 

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

CMO / Deputy Director – UTOPIA Fiber. 14 Years  

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. 

Yes, Fiber Broadband Association – 2022-2024, AAPB – Founder and Board Member 2020-2023 

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

1.5 years  

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

2019-current  

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

Public Officials Roundtable / Co-Chair, Marketing Committee  

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

Over the years, I’ve presented on several Fiber Broadband Association webinars, covering topics like marketing and open access, and I’ve had the opportunity to take part in multiple FBA fly-ins on Capitol Hill. 

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

I bring extensive experience in telecommunications through my work on the operations side of the business. I started at an ISP in a very hands-on role, which gave me early exposure to the realities of network deployment. Over time, I worked closely with the operations team and oversaw many of the core operational functions, giving me a broad and practical perspective on how networks are built and maintained. I’ve been involved in a wide range of FTTH deployments, and I know how to translate those technical details into terms that matter for communities, customers, and decision-makers. Having experience on both the ISP and construction sides, I understand how to bridge technical expertise with real-world impact. 

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

During my term on the Fiber Broadband Association Board, my goal is to help take our industry from simply building networks to unlocking their full potential. We’re seeing unprecedented levels of fiber deployment across the country, and now the challenge is to ensure those networks are maximized — not just for ISPs, but for the communities they serve. 

FBA needs to be at the forefront of helping providers monetize these networks in ways that expand real connectivity — reaching farms, cities, and everywhere in between. By focusing on the next iteration of our industry, we can make sure these historic investments translate into lasting impact for people and communities nationwide 

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 I’m elected, I’ll dedicate the time that’s needed to be an engaged and effective board member. I recognize the responsibility that comes with this role, and I’m committed to showing up, contributing, and doing the work required to support the mission of the Fiber Broadband Association. 

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

I truly care about this industry and the people in it. Fiber has been my career for more than a decade, but it’s also my passion — and I only want the best for it. Serving on the board would be my way of giving back and doing my part to help move the industry forward. 

Joe leads the Americas Market Development team for Corning. With 18 years of telecom experience in engineering, product management, and product development, Joe pioneers FTTx architectures, optical solution advancement, and design optimization for today’s evolving networks. This approach to optical network evolution helps make fiber based access networks more accessible by using innovation to lower barriers to deployment. His most recent areas of contribution focus on converged network architectures and defining potential impacts of next generation networks such as 4G densification and 5G on both the carrier infrastructure and investment business case. Joe obtained his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from NCSU and Executive MBA from UNC Chapel Hill.

Jimmy Todd is the CEO & General Manager for Nex-Tech, a rural cooperative communications company, based in Lenora, Kansas. He is overall responsible to strategically lead growth, innovation, and diversity. Nex-Tech was the first company in the nation to bring FTTH technology to a community and an entire telecom exchange. Today, its broadband service area is primarily fiber-optic covering approximately 10,000 square miles across Northwest and Central Kansas.

Including his military service and telecom roots originating in field service installation, Jimmy has served the communications industry for more than 35 years gaining extensive knowledge and experience in technical, operational, and managerial aspects. Rising thru the ranks, he held supervisory positions in Field Services and Network Operations at two companies in Oregon; was President for Malheur Bell, also in Oregon; and was the President/GM for MTC in Kansas. While at MTC, Jimmy was involved in the creation of the Kansas Fiber Network organization, a statewide fiber network, and he still serves on the Board today.

Jimmy has been active for many years in advocacy for fiber broadband at the State and National levels serving as a board/committee member and holding officer positions for organizations such as WTA, NTCA, and NRTC. In December 2021, he was appointed to a two-year term to serve on the FCC’s Task Force for Reviewing Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture in the United States. Prior to this appointment, he served two years as a Working Group Committee member for the Task Force.

Joseph Jones has spent his entire career in the telecommunications industry which has spanned over twenty-five years. JJ has vast experience from field installation services, quality assurance functions, administration roles, to operations which includes over twenty various cable and fiber broadband start-ups nationwide and direct involvement developing operational and customer service strategies that help define On Trac, Inc. in an increasingly competitive market. JJ’s previous role as Executive Vice President had him overseeing daily company operations with a focus on company strategy, profitability, and customer relationships.

Along with his responsibilities at On Trac, Inc., he gives countless volunteer hours to the Fiber Broadband Association. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors, JJ has served and chaired various committees for the past 13 years including being the Fiber Connect Conference Chairman for seven consecutive years where he oversees the Fiber Connect Conference which is the industry’s leading all fiber conference. JJ is a two-time recipient (2010 & 2020) of the Photon Award which recognizes a Fiber Broadband Association member who, through their volunteer contribution, has demonstrated a high level of dedication to the organization and contribution to the industry.