Tom Niederloh
Business Development Manager - EXFO
Nominee Questionnaire
| Please provide a short bio for voters to get to know you. | • Seasoned Sales Executive with 25+ years of experience generating revenue growth as both a team leader and individual contributor, with demonstrated expertise in selling Network & Application Performance Management solutions to Service Provider, Cloud, and Enterprise fiber optic networks.
• Demonstrated history of implementing strategic planning to drive sales, penetrate new accounts and territories, and execute territory and product turnarounds; highly skilled at selling new products and emerging technologies. • Exceptional communicator with a track record for developing high-yield strategic partnerships with clients, internal and external partners, and executive leadership. • Strong ability to influence diverse partners and teams toward shared outcomes through cross-functional collaboration. |
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| Please explain why you consider yourself an excellent candidate for the Board of Directors of the Fiber Broadband Association. | • Broad experience base within the telecommunications and networking industry working across the entire ecosystem helping the largest service providers, rural and independents, start ups, equipment providers, software integrators, and contractors achieve success.
• Collaborative and partnership minded – can play well with others. Easy to work with. • Have a unique combination of technical/application knowledge combined with leadership ability. |
| How many years has your company been a Fiber Broadband Association Member? | 20+ |
| How many years have you participated in Fiber Broadband Association activities? | 20+ |
| Please indicate any Fiber Broadband Association Committees or working groups you have participated on including position and years served. | FTTH Council (Stephan Chabot, Gwenn Amice) LATAM FBA Finance Chair (Christian Stube) LATAM FBA Board of Directors (Hector Moreno) |
| Please list any Fiber Broadband Association Contributions (activities supported, assets developed, documents drafted, webinars presented, etc.) | OpTIC Path Curriculum Development (Gwenn Amice) FCOE/Training Seminars |
| How many years have you been in your current position? | 2 |
| Describe your current job and functional responsibilities. | Work across our sales team and business units to identify and develop strategic sales initiatives. Currently heavily involved in Rural Broadband funding, FTTx, and Middle Mile as well developing Fiber Contractor strategies and innovations to help increase fiber productivity and efficiencies.
Identify and develop emerging trends in the fiber optic industry for growth. Develop and communicate strategies and action plans across sales team, business unit, and executive management. |
| What was your previous position? | Account Director |
| How many years did you hold your previous position for? | 5 |
| Do you have experience as a member of a Board of Directors? | No |
| 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. | 25+ years of working with fiber optics across multiple architectures and environments – including : FTTx/PON, Long Haul/Metro Transport Networks, Subsea Networks, DWDM/CWDM PMD/CD, Datacenters (Hyperscale, Enteprise, CoLo). Extensive experience with fiber testing and troubleshooting and knowledge of OTDR, Power Meters, CD/PMD, Optical Spectrum Analysis, Fiber Inspection and more across OSP, ISP, and Lab applications. |
| Please describe the goals you would like to accomplish during your term as Fiber Broadband Association Board Member. | Support the goals and mission of the FBA Help BEAD and all Broadband Funding programs be successful in deploying fiber/broadband service to all Americans Enhance workforce development efforts and career paths to increase recruiting to the Fiber/Telecom industry |
| 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 have the full support of my company and leadership to meet the time/effort commitments involved with this role. I expect to make every FBA board meeting (virtual and in person) as well as meet the 10 hr/month expected time commitment and adjust to deadlines and priorities as needed. |