Bob Whitman
VP Market Development - Corning Inc.
Nominee Questionnaire
| Please provide a short bio for voters to get to know you. | Currently responsible for Global Carrier Networks Market and Business Development to include strategy and execution of Corning’s Fiber to the Home, Inside Plant, 5G and Emerging Applications initiatives. Over 27 years’ experience in optical fiber network architecture, product development and carrier engagement in various technical and commercial roles. Focus areas include industry engagement, addressing service provider challenges, solution development and government affairs collaboration. Prior to joining Corning in 1997 I served as a Nuclear Power Engineering Officer in the US Navy. |
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| Please explain why you consider yourself an excellent candidate for the Board of Directors of the Fiber Broadband Association. | While the majority of my contributions were made in the early days I am prepared and eager to bring the same commitment level to the current board as I did in the inaugural board. I have been engaged in this organization since Day 1. As the representative for 1 of the 3 companies making up the start-up committee, we created the mission statement and recruited the 19 founding members in 2001. I served on the first board and my primary contributions were spearheading our first conference in 2002 and leading the collaboration in the creation of arguments, data and comments for the FCC triennial review resulting in regulatory relief for FTTH in 2003. FCC leadership praised our contributions solidifying our voice as an industry leader. I am so proud of what this organization has become and the contributions it has made as the leading voice in fiber broadband. Over the years I have maintained full support of the FBA with team members on the board, leading committees or otherwise supporting FBA efforts. I want to complete the original mission of bringing fiber broadband to all and to help set the path for the next 20 years. Fiber optics is growing in several application spaces driven by the insatiable demand for bandwidth. In my role I engage with global thought leaders at service providers and across the industry to understand application spaces and their associated challenges. Together, with the FBA members, we can be the leading voice for advocacy in the next set of challenges to be solved in the industry. The FBA needs experienced leadership and proven ability to work across companies with varying priorities for this next phase. I have demonstrated the capabilities needed to assist the FBA in charting the course for the future and I will bring passion and a collaborative spirit to stay focused on what the industry needs. |
| How many years has your company been a Fiber Broadband Association Member? | 23 |
| How many years have you participated in Fiber Broadband Association activities? | 23 |
| Please indicate any Fiber Broadband Association Committees or working groups you have participated on including position and years served. | Board of directors: 2001-2003, 2005-2006 Committees and working groups: Numerous but documenting the areas where I have maintained some records. Government Relations (2001-2024), Finance and Audit (2001-2003), Education (2002-2006), Membership (2005-2006), International (2004-2007, 2009), Trusted Fiber (2023-2024) . In addition, members of my team have participated broadly on most of the committees over time. |
| Please list any Fiber Broadband Association Contributions (activities supported, assets developed, documents drafted, webinars presented, etc.) | Having participated for 23 years I have many contributions but will list those things I am most proud of: Participating in the start-up of the FBA (FTTH Council), serving on it’s first board, FCC Triennial review (FTTH Council contributions referenced in dozens of citations), participated in organizing and kicking off regional chapters (Europe 2005, APAC 2004, Latin America 2009), various policy initiatives focused on gaining preference for fiber based solutions (RDOF, BEAD), receiving Chairman’s award 2015, supporting 20 year FBA celebration (2021 video interview), worked hand in hand with consulting firms on the economic models used in policy arguments, worked closely with RVA on numerous documents to support market dynamics, FTTH maturity, growth projections, and potential impact of policy decisions. Presented many conference sessions and webinars for and on behalf of FBA. |
| How many years have you been in your current position? | 12 |
| Describe your current job and functional responsibilities. | My responsibilities at Corning are to help our global service providers, big and small, solve network deployment challenges in their various application spaces to include Fiber to the Home, Inside Plant, 5G and Emerging Applications. I have a team of subject matter experts in each of these application spaces to assist with network architectures, best solution fit and solution development when needed. Other responsibilities include leading our Carrier strategy development, solution roadmaps, business input for public policy initiatives, ecosystem engagement and internal optical network training. |
| What was your previous position? | Director Program Management, FTTH, FTTA, ISP |
| How many years did you hold your previous position for? | 2 |
| Do you have experience as a member of a Board of Directors? | Yes |
| If you answered yes, please provide the entity, the number of years served, and the officer position held. | FBA (FTTH Council) 2001-2003 Treasurer FBA (FTTH Council) 2005-2006 International LiaisonSeveral local community boards |
| The bylaws prohibit convicted felons from serving on the board. Is there any legal impediment that would prevent you from serving on the Board? | No |
| Is there any legal issue personally of which the Association should be aware? | No |
| Being a Fiber Broadband Association Board Member requires a considerable time commitment. Please confirm that you have the support of your company if you are elected. | Yes |
| Please provide a short overview of your experience with telecommunications, fiber optics, and FTTH technologies. | 27 years of deep technical knowledge and applications of fiber optics with 24 of those years focused on FTTH. 1997-1999 Optical Fiber Application Engineer 1999-2000 Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) Marketing Manager 2000-2006 Broadband Market Development Manager 2006-2010 FTTH Program Manager 2010-2012 Director of Global Program Management (FTTH, FTTA, Inside Plant) 2012-Present VP Global Market Development |
| Please describe the goals you would like to accomplish during your term as Fiber Broadband Association Board Member. | 1. Complete the mission of bringing fiber broadband to the un/underserved 2. Answer the question-What’s next? Set the course for the next 20 years of the FBAThe above are my priorities but other areas I want to work on include: -Identify barriers to deployment in remote areas. Choose and address the barriers best suited for FBA -Build additional resources for service providers with limited capabilities or new to FTTH -Align our global sister organizations to maximize reach and effectiveness -Address educational and regulatory barriers to copper retirement |
| Have you reviewed the Board of Directors’ Responsibilities document, and do you understand what is required? | Yes |
| 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 prepared to commit myself and other Corning professional, technical, commercial and public policy resources (or any other area) in support of FBA goals. I have full support of Corning leadership and full authority to allocate my and my team’s efforts. I am committed to serving this organization to the fullest extent required to include actively participating in all board meetings in person, leading new initiatives, consulting on positions, and supporting multiple committees. As I have done numerous times in the past, I am prepared to represent the FBA at industry events, media (where applicable), meetings, Hill days, regional events, etc. |