Nominee Questionnaire

Please provide a short bio for voters to get to know you.	With more than 35 years of technology and communications industry knowledge and experience, Jimmy Todd, as the CEO & General Manager for Nex-Tech, has strategically lead the growth, innovation, and diversity of the organization.  Nex-Tech is a cooperative communications and technology company, based in Lenora, Kansas, and was the first company in the nation to bring FTTH technology to a rural telecom exchange. Today, Nex-Tech’s broadband service area is primarily fiber-optic covering over 11,000 square miles across Northwest and Central Kansas. As a highly diversified organization, Nex-Tech has grown to offer technology solutions and business services utilizing a highly-certified Data Center infrastructure and a state-of-the-art Network Operations Center providing remote and on-site technical support, across the United States, as well as internationally. For many years, Jimmy has been actively engaged in supporting advocacy for fiber broadband at the State and National levels serving as a Board/Committee member and holding leadership positions for Kansas Fiber Network, Nex-Tech Wireless, WTA, NTCA, NRTC, FBA, and US Telecom. He was appointed to serve on the FCC’s Task Force for Reviewing Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture in the United States at the national level, and has served for gubernatorial appointments on TEAM Kansas and the NG-911 Coordinating Council. Jimmy is a proud, retired veteran after serving 10 years in the US Navy and 11 in the US Army/Army National Guard. His focus today remains the same as it has been since he was introduced to technology, to find ways to use technology to improve the lives of rural communities, businesses and people. Fiber is the foundation for the adoption of technology in our communities across both rural, suburban and urban neighborhoods. In recent years, Jimmy’s involvement with the FBA has been as a member of the Board, Chair of the Precision Ag Committee and serving on the Public Policy Committee. As recent Board Chairman, Jimmy has had the honor of representing FBA around the nation and across the world.
Please explain why you consider yourself an excellent candidate for the Board of Directors of the Fiber Broadband Association.	I believe I can continue to be an excellent Board member for FBA because I have been involved in the organization for the past three years of meteoric growth. I feel that the contribution I bring is a great deal of Board experience, but I couple that experience with a broad knowledge of the industry at it stands today and from a historic perspective of the industry over several decades. In the past three years, I have been working hard to carry the FBA banner, and its message, at the FBA regional meetings across that country, at Fiber Connect, in Washington DC, and in conversations with industry peers. Being a part of the FBA Board is a commitment and requires a dedication to rolling up your sleeves and being involved. I have done this, and I am willing to do more.
How many years has your company been a Fiber Broadband Association Member?	6
How many years have you participated in Fiber Broadband Association activities?	5
Please indicate any Fiber Broadband Association Committees or working groups you have participated on including position and years served.	I have participated on the FBA: Board and FBA Management Committee for 3 years (Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary), Public Policy Committee for 5 years, Education Committee for few years (but recently in a more limited role). I spent a year on the Technical, Deployment and Marketing Committees before bringing key subject matter experts from my Nex-Tech team to these FBA committees. In 2024, I was involved in the launch, and have Co-Chaired, the FBA Precision Ag Committee.
Please list any Fiber Broadband Association Contributions (activities supported, assets developed, documents drafted, webinars presented, etc.)	In addition to the FBA committee and Board involvement, which includes Fiber Connect, the Regional conferences, regular video conferences, and Board meetings, I have advocated in Washington DC on policy that promotes the importance of fiber infrastructure. I have also participated on a few Fiber For Breakfast episodes with Gary.
How many years have you been in your current position?	10
Describe your current job and functional responsibilities.	As CEO/General Manager, I am responsible for all aspects of the Nex-Tech organization and subsidiaries from operational/financial performance to culture to advocacy and influence in the industry. For many years, not only do I manage a wonderful organization with an amazing team, but I, also, represent the organization in the communications, broadband and technology industries from which we provide services to local, regional, national, and international customers.
What was your previous position?	President and General Manager at Mutual Telephone Company
How many years did you hold your previous position for?	6
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.	Currently = Kansas Fiber Network – 15 years (Chairman twice, Vice Chair and Secretary), WTA – 8 years (Currently Past President, President, Vice Pres), NRTC – 8 years (Chairman, Vice Chair, Secretary), Nex-Tech Wireless – 10 years (currently Chairman), Fiber Broadband Association – 3 years (Chairman, Vice Chair, Secretary), FBA LATAM – 1 year, FOSA (Fiber Optic Sensing Association), Norton County Hospital – 2 years (Vice President). Formerly = KRITC/KTIA – 6 years (Chairman), LR Communications – 6 years, Oregon Telecommunications Association – 3 years, Holy Rosary Medical Center – 1 year. I am, and have been, on several industry committee, task forces, and advisory 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.	My telecom career started at Pac Bell/SBC and then moved to US West/Qwest. After my first few years as a technician, I supervised operations crews performing all aspects of service from installation and repair to cable maintenance to engineering to network rehab to special circuits to technical and 911 support. Upon my transition to a small telecom cooperative in Kansas, I was involved in the complete transformation from a copper-based network to a fiber-to-the-premise network. Then, over the past 10 years, I have lead Nex-Tech. Not only does Nex-Tech provide core telecom services in Kansas, but we also provide business/IT/MSP services across the Midwest, and Carrier services (NOC and CALEA) across the United States. While Nex-Tech is primarily a fiber-based company, we have used fixed wireless to edge out and build a customer base to further expand our fiber network and footprint across the state. I was directly involved in the formation of the Kansas Fiber Network and continue to sit on its Board. Nex-Tech is also one of three owners, and I am Board Chairman, of Nex-Tech Wireless which is a Tier 3 mobile wireless service provider. My company provides a significant amount of fiber backhaul for this and other mobile wireless providers across the northwest and central part of Kansas. So, in addition to understanding the necessity of fiber in the distribution and access networks, I am very familiar with its importance in transport and middle mile applications. For 4 years, I was involved with the FCC/USDA Precision Ag Task Force. In this capacity, I have helped to educate and stress the importance of fiber broadband for the future of precision ag technology and rural use cases. In 2024, I was involved with launching a Precision Ag Committee for FBA.
Please describe the goals you would like to accomplish during your term as Fiber Broadband Association Board Member.	Continue to grow FBA’s influence on policy related to prioritizing fiber optic networks, to help educate decision-makers at the state and nation levels, to represent FBA amongst my peers, and to recruit more like-minded, fiber-focused companies to join FBA!
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 will continue to be as highly engaged in FBA as I have during my first term on the Board.
Please inform us of any other information, issue, or concern of which the Association should be aware.	I do not have any issues or concerns that the Association should be aware of, and they already know I am a biker whenever I get the chance to get out on the road!