View Joanne's Nominee Video

Nominee Questionnaire

Please provide a short bio for voters to get to know you.	Joanne Hovis is a nationally recognized authority on broadband markets and on the evolving role of public–private partnerships in the provision of communications services to the public. For more than 25 years, she has overseen CTC’s consulting services related to broadband strategic planning, market analysis, and business strategy for localities, states, and tribal governments throughout the country. Joanne currently leads the CTC teams that provide a range of planning, advisory, and grants management services to states, including Alabama, California, Delaware, Georgia, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, and Wyoming with regard to the BEAD and Digital Equity funding programs, as well as the various broadband programs created by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act. Joanne has testified on multiple occasions before Congress on rural broadband, broadband public‐private partnerships, and the digital divide, and has provided expert presentations to the Federal Communications Commission, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National League of Cities, and other national organizations. Joanne serves as a member of the boards of directors of the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society and Consumer Reports.
Please explain why you consider yourself an excellent candidate for the Board of Directors of the Fiber Broadband Association.	I believe I can contribute as a member of the board of directors because of my deep knowledge and insights of the critical players in fiber deployment in the current moment including state governments. In the course of my consulting to public entities over the past two and a half decades I have worked for more than a dozen state governments and currently am developing statewide broadband infrastructure plans for nine of them. States and localities represent one of the key stakeholder groups that will determine the future course of fiber deployment, working in partnership with investors, construction companies, manufacturers, and internet service providers. These public entities not only control large numbers of resources that can contribute to fiber deployment but also many of the processes and physical assets that enable and support fiber deployment. Through collaboration and shared goals, the public and private sectors are poised in the current moment to deliver fiber to millions of American households. Over the next decade even more locations will need to be connected with fiber and partnership between public and private entities will be key to accomplishing this, not only in the most remote rural communities but also in our core urban centers. I hope to bring insights about how to build public-private collaboration and about what motivates and inspires public entities to my service as a board member, so as to support and enable the organization’s mission get fiber to all of America.
How many years has your company been a Fiber Broadband Association Member?	15
How many years have you participated in Fiber Broadband Association activities?	15
Please indicate any Fiber Broadband Association Committees or working groups you have participated on including position and years served.	Participant in Local Government Toolkit Committee – developed resources and chairing meetings, 2009-2015 Member of Public Policy Committee since 2009 Member of Board of Directors, 2015 – 2022 Founding participant in Women in Fiber group Member of Senior Council, 2022-2023
Please list any Fiber Broadband Association Contributions (activities supported, assets developed, documents drafted, webinars presented, etc.)	In 2013, drafted Guide to Federal Funding Resources in Broadband In 2014 and 2016, presented webinars on public-private partnerships (PP3s) Served as a speaker at multiple conferences on PP3, federal funding, and state and local planning and maximizing those opportunities Served on the Board Committee that rebranded the organization from FTTH Council to the Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) Serve as a strategic advisor to FBA leadership on collaboration with local governments and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
How many years have you been in your current position?	25
Describe your current job and functional responsibilities.	Have served as the President of CTC Technology & Energy for 25 years where I lead a team of 100+ engineers and analysts who specialize in fiber network design and planning services.
What was your previous position?	Telecommunications Attorney
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.	I previously served for seven years on the FBA Board of Directors from 2015 until 2022.
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.	I have personally been a broadband analyst, planning specialist, and cyber specialist to local and state governments planning fiber networks since the 1990’s. My background includes the planning and development of FTTH networks including the development of public-private partnerships and funding strategies.
Please describe the goals you would like to accomplish during your term as Fiber Broadband Association Board Member.	One of my critical goals is to assist FBA leverage the current environment and to enable and facilitate the deployment of fiber-based networks. Another key goal of mine is to assist the FBA to prepare for the needs of the future post ARPA and IIJA with the need for more fiber development.
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 commit to participation in the meetings, committees, and conferences that serving on the Board of Directors requires.
Please inform us of any other information, issue, or concern of which the Association should be aware.	N/A