Session Speakers: WISPAPALOOZA 2022

Full Name	Company	Job Title	Speaking At	Attendee Bio
David Zumwalt	Wireless Internet Service Providers Association	President and CEO	How the IIJA and Other Congressional Statutes Have Changed the Regulatory Landscape and Impacted Your Plans for Fiber and Wireless Deployments Issues In Selling And Buying A WISP	David Zumwalt As of June 1, 2022, David Zumwalt serves as President & CEO of WISPA, the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association. WISPA’s service providers, supported by vital vendors and suppliers, deliver primary broadband connectivity in traditionally underserved and unserved suburban, rural and Tribal communities nationwide, with a growing subscriber base now reaching nine million Americans. WISPA’s members are often entrepreneurs who live in, serve, and continually reinvest in their communities. Prior to WISPA he served as Chief Operating Officer of Broadband VI, a major Internet Service Provider in the US Virgin Islands, where his role included full P&L responsibility and had a primary mission to prepare the company to scale. In 2021, Broadband VI sought and won $84.5 million in FCC Connect USVI funding to supplement its private investment in Territory-wide network expansion and was subsequently acquired by a unit of publicly traded Liberty Latin America late last year. He then led Broadband VI’s post-acquisition transition efforts. Previously, he served as the CEO/Executive Director of the University of the Virgin Islands Research & Technology Park (RTPark), an instrumentality of the USVI government formed to establish and grow a vibrant knowledge-based sector in the Territory’s economy. He led policy, workforce investment, infrastructure and market outreach initiatives and guided RTPark to become a rare example of a sustainable three-way partnership with private sector, governmental and university stakeholders. Earlier, he founded and served as Chairman and CEO of Dallas, TX-based CNet, Inc., a leading provider of radio frequency (RF) engineering and operational support system software and services to the worldwide wireless communications industry, securing significant customer relationships in forty countries. Over the course of his career, he has served on the Boards of, and as a transitional chief executive in, several venture capital and private equity-backed businesses, working closely with management teams, stakeholders, capital partners and governmental/regulatory counterparts. His portfolio spans private sector, public sector and academic initiatives. He has engaged with accelerators, incubators and private equity partnerships to mentor emerging companies in markets including simulation/gaming, logistics, internet content, search, and network services. A graduate of Rice University, he has been named a Fellow of the Radio Club of America in recognition of his wireless industry contributions and is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Texas.
Todd Harpest	MetaLink Technologies	External Affairs & Regulatory Director	Playing Offense and Defense: The $42.45 Billion Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program Basics About Filing Form 477 And The New Broadband Data Collection Submission Understanding the Subsidy Landscape: How the Government is Affecting Your Business	Todd Harpest is one of the founders of MetaLINK Technologies, Inc. (“MetaLINK”) and today serves in the capacity of External Affairs & Regulatory Director. MetaLINK is one of the largest fixed wireless service providers in the Midwest. He has served with MetaLINK in numerous capacities over the last 26 years and has over 36 years of IT and business management experience. Todd currently serves on the Mapping and Analyzing Connectivity on Agricultural Lands Working Group of FCC Precision Agriculture Connectivity Task Force. Additionally, Todd currently serves WISPA as the Board of Director Chairperson, and Government Affairs, Policy, and State Coordinator Member. Todd received his MBA degree from the University of Dayton and BSAS from Miami University.
Jimmy Schaeffler	The Carmel Group	Chairman/CSO	Broad Policy Changes, Their Effects On Your Business, And Practical Strategies To Reduce Or Eliminate Their Debilitating Effects	Jimmy Schaeffler is chairman/CSO of The Carmel Group, a telecommunications, computer, and media industries business analysis and expert consultant. Under the umbrella of The Carmel Group, Mr. Schaeffler has helped wireless communication and media companies to plan, value, and optimize their systems, since 1995. He worked with and interviewed hundreds of wireless Internet service providers to create the Wireless Internet Service Provider Associations (WISPA) 2021 “Lift-off” report, which covers key benchmarks and trends in the Fixed Wireless and Hybrid Fiber Wireless Broadband industry. Mr. Schaeffler and The Carmel Group focus their expertise in cable, satellite, wireless, and telephony, and such new and/or advanced services as broadband, VOD, DVRs, HDTV, AI, VR, AR, interactive TV, and satellite radio. His insights and views are reported in such publications as Investor’s Business Daily, USA Today, Newsweek, TIME Magazine, Business Week, and The Wall Street Journal. He is also a regular speaker at international events such as the NAB, NCTA Cable Show, WISPAPALOOZA, CTAM, and CES. The Carmel Group’s website link is www.carmelgroup.com
Carol Mattey	Mattey Consulting LLC	Principal	Playing Offense and Defense: The $42.45 Billion Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program	Carol Mattey is the Principal of Mattey Consulting LLC, based in the Washington, DC metro area. Ms. Mattey is one of the nation's leading experts on the FCC’s universal service programs, drawing on more than a decade of experience as Deputy Chief of the FCC's Wireline Competition Bureau overseeing the Universal Service Fund. Among other accomplishments, between 2010-2016, she led efforts to modernize the FCC’s universal service programs to focus on broadband. After leaving the FCC in 2017, she founded a consulting practice advising broadband providers and others active in the telecommunications industry, focusing on government funding strategy and execution, public policy advocacy, and regulatory compliance.
Diane Rinaldo	Open RAN Policy Coalition	Executive Director	How the IIJA and Other Congressional Statutes Have Changed the Regulatory Landscape and Impacted Your Plans for Fiber and Wireless Deployments	Diane Rinaldo is one of the country’s leading authorities on 5G, telecommunications supply chain security and privacy. She served as Acting Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information. During her time at NTIA, Ms. Rinaldo directed the Administration’s efforts on privacy; testified in the House of Representatives and Senate on 5G and Internet security issues; served as a principal advising the White House and Congress on 5G and supply chain; as well as other successes in education and deployment of Internet access around the world. Prior to her Executive Branch service, Ms. Rinaldo served on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, where she focused on Congress’ landmark cybersecurity legislation, the Cybersecurity Act of 2015. She also served as Congress’ oversight and budget monitor for the National Security Agency and the defense network systems, and as Deputy Chief of Staff to Congressman Mike Rogers as his top technology policy staffer. Ms. Rinaldo also spent time in the private sector as the Director of Government Affairs and cyber policy for SAP, and as a Vice President at a top consulting firm in Washington, DC. Recognized for her work on cybersecurity, Ms. Rinaldo was awarded the Executive Women’s Forum’s 2016 Influencer of the Year award; was named one of the top ten people in Washington, D.C. impacting cyber legislation; and has consulted on movies and television. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Maine and an Executive Certificate from Harvard University for Cyber Studies.
Craig Muller	Tarana	Sales Engineer	How Important are PALs to my CBRS Deployment?	Craig Muller is a Tarana Wireless Sales Engineer primarily supporting Eastern US clients. Craig has been involved in wireless delivery of internet and services for over 20 years. His experience includes being a field engineer, President of a WISP, 4 years in distribution, 9 years with two manufacturers and ownership of a wireless centric VAR. In addition, Craig has worked for SPRINT, NASA, and performed Satellite Communication Ground Station support for the US army.
Richard Bernhardt	WISPA	National Spectrum Advisor	Opportunities in the MTE-MDU Market Spectrum Update	Richard Bernhardt is the National Spectrum Adviser for the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA). He serves as the liaison between WISPA members and industry related to spectrum policy and regulatory matters. He regularly represents WISPA to industry organizations and coalitions, manufacturers, and various wireless and telecom operators and service providers. Mr. Bernhardt serves on the board of directors and is an officer of the Wireless Innovation Forum (WInnForum), a global spectrum standards development organization and is the lead representative for WISPA to the WInnForum. WInnForum created the baseline standards for CBRS and is currently working on the 6 GHz band standards. He serves as the co-chair of its Spectrum Sharing Committee (SSC) and chairs its Operations working group which covers bests practices for CPIs, CAs (security), band co-existence, PALs, secondary market and many other CBRS technical areas. Mr. Bernhardt is the co-chair of the FCC rules directed 6 GHz multi-stakeholder group (MSG) and he serves on numerous industry panels and committees including chairing the Fixed Wireless Access group for CBRS Alliance (now the OnGo Alliance). He has served in leadership roles in the networking, wireless and telecom industry for over 30 years. Mr. Bernhardt holds a B.A. in communications from the University of California, Davis, and a J.D. from California Western School of Law in San Diego, CA.
Dominic Villecco	VCOMM Telecommunications and Engineering	Founder and President	How To Fund And Build Your Fixed Wireless Network To Comply With Environmental, RF, and Other Infrastructure Siting Rules	Dominic Villecco has 40 years of experience in the telecommunications industry. As Founder and President of V COMM Telecommunications Engineering, he has led the company from two employees to more than 50, with three offices on the East Coast. He is a qualified expert witness in telecommunications engineering in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Michigan. He has also testified in Federal Court on behalf of the FCC and US Department of Justice in high-profile cases. Prior to founding V COMM in 1995, Mr. Villecco led all engineering efforts for Comcast Cellular Communications, Inc., and Comcast International Holdings. As former Director of Engineering for American Cellular Network Corporation (AMCELL), he helped design the first regional cellular network in the United States with propriety automatic call delivery among independent carriers. Mr. Villecco’s expertise provides a positive impact upon his clients’ growth rates and their ability to secure financing from key vendors. He previously served as Vice Chairman on the Board of Advisors for Drexel University’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Department and received the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2001. He also served as Chairman of the Technical Subcommittee for the Association of Public Safety Officials-International, Inc. (APCO) Region 28 and its 700 MHz initiatives. Mr. Villecco is recognized as a telecommunications expert by the FCC and the US Department of Justice. He is President of the Board of Trustees for the New Jersey Wireless Association (NJWA).
Kimberly Young	MKY Ventures	President	Drafting Grant Proposals to Apply for These Federal Funds	Kimberly Young is the President of MKY Ventures, LLC, providing State and Federal Grant Writing, Consulting and Administrative Services to ISPs all over North America. MKY Ventures is focused on helping ISPs to increase broadband access and helping to connect rural communities throughout the North America and US Territories. Before starting MKY Ventures, Kimberly spent 25 years in a Healthcare Administration career in helping doctors and hospital provide the best care for patients through influencing lawmakers, policy and administrators. During her time in healthcare, Kimberly continued writing grants on case-by-case bases for a select few technology and internet clients for the past 15 years. Today, MKY Ventures provides grant services, consulting for ISPs, and partners with marketplace providers to offer a suite of services for ISPs in need of assistance.
Scott Woods	Ready.net	Vice President for Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships	Drafting Grant Proposals to Apply for These Federal Funds	Scott D. Woods is the former inaugural Director of the Office of Minority Broadband Initiatives in NTIA’s Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth (OIGC). While at NTIA, he served as the principal liaison between the OIGC program office and key strategic partners and external stakeholder groups, including representatives from state and local governments, telecommunications companies, for-profit and nonprofit corporations, and colleges/universities. Scott is a broadband funding, implementation and stakeholder engagement expert and served as a key member of the OIGC leadership team responsible for the implementation and launch of the Office of Minority Broadband Initiatives and the historic $65 billion broadband funding program authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA). Scott’s expertise and devotion to increasing broadband access and digital inclusion has helped transform the lives of many communities throughout the U.S. through programs such as the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP), BroadbandUSA Technical Assistance Program, BroadbandUSA Community Education Workshops; HBCU College Partnership Program; the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program; and his influence among national, state and corporate decision makers, and his on-the-groundwork building community-based broadband coalitions. Scott has long advocated for better broadband maps, data collection and utilization and in his various roles at NTIA, has used broadband data, mapping, and visualizations to make better broadband funding and programmatic decisions. As the Vice President for Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships for Ready.net, Scott will facilitate and develop key public-private partnerships formed via the Broadband.Money platform; develop a platform for local communities to express their needs for broadband access and digital equity investments; and develop industry partnerships and foster alliances with key stakeholders to advance and support community-based broadband education and advocacy initiatives. Scott received his Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies from Morehouse College; Master of Arts in Public Policy from American University; and Juris Doctor from Howard University School of Law.
S. Jenell Trigg	Lerman Senter, PLLC	Member	Rules That All WISPs Should Know Opportunities in the MTE-MDU Market New Developments In Privacy And Cybersecurity For ISPs as Critical Infrastructure Entities	S. Jenell Trigg, CIPP/US, a former broadcast television sales and marketing executive spanning a sixteen-year advertising career in the Chicago and Baltimore markets, is a Member of Lerman Senter PLLC and is founding Chair of the firm’s Privacy, Data Protection and Cybersecurity practice group. In addition to more than two decades practicing in the broadcast, cable, Internet and telecommunications regulatory areas, Jenell also specializes in privacy/data protection and cybersecurity issues, intellectual property concerns, government regulation of the Internet and new technologies. Jenell has received her Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP) credentials through the International Association of Privacy Professionals. Prior to private practice, Jenell served as Assistant Chief Counsel for Telecommunications for the Office of Advocacy, U.S. Small Business Administration, and as a law clerk for FCC Commrs. Ness and Chong, as well as an FCC senior telecom policy analyst. Jenell has also received WISPA’s Presidential Medal of Honor under two administrations, the last for her extensive pro bono work as WISPA’s representative on the FCC Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment. Jenell is also recognized nationally in Best Lawyers of America®, Lawyers of Distinction ®and The National Black Lawyers Top 100® for her work in communications and privacy/data security law.
Terry Chevalier	Sunstone Associates	Owner and Managing Director	How the IIJA and Other Congressional Statutes Have Changed the Regulatory Landscape and Impacted Your Plans for Fiber and Wireless Deployments Drafting Grant Proposals to Apply for These Federal Funds	Terry Chevalier is currently the owner and Managing Director at Sunstone Associates, a growth consulting and advisory firm. Terry currently advises business owners of technology, media, and telecom (TMT) businesses with growth strategy including public financing, strategic program management, and exit or transition planning to achieve their growth vision. In his 25+ year career, he has had multiple executive roles in strategy, corporate development, business development, and operations across multiple industries including telecommunications, financial services, management consulting, and government contracting. Terry commenced his career in the U.S. Intelligence Community as a technical operations officer deploying time-sensitive, mission-critical communications systems. He holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology, a Masters in Business Administration from Duke University, and is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor with the Exit Planning Institute.
Raj Singh	Velankani Communications Technologies, Inc.	CEO	Drafting Grant Proposals to Apply for These Federal Funds	A creative and dynamic leader, Raj has been finding innovative solutions to complex problems in the broadband industry for more than 25 years. Raj became CEO of Velankani Communications Technologies, Inc. in 2005; technology developed by VCTI can be found can be found in the access networks of more than 500 service providers, globally. In 2019, VCTI pivoted to a mission to deliver software, SaaS and managed service solutions, leveraging machine learning and AI, that directly enable broadband providers to accelerate the expansion of their services and automation of operations. Today, VCTI’s unparalleled expertise in GIS modeling, network planning, software and services, legal and public affairs is being leveraged by leading and emerging broadband service providers to successfully win, defend and challenge subsidy programs.
Matt Larsen	Vistabeam	(not set)	Developing Public Private Partnerships With States and Local Governments WISP Financing Broad Policy Changes, Their Effects On Your Business, And Practical Strategies To Reduce Or Eliminate Their Debilitating Effects	Matt Larsen started deploying wireless broadband in 1999 and is experienced in the design of data networks, NOC operations, wireless deployments, voice over IP implementation, business development and overall management of ISP operations. In 1995, Larsen was part of the volunteer group that launched FortNet, the first ISP in Fort Collins, Colorado. After moving to Scottsbluff, Nebraska in 1997, he started Scottsbluff Networx, an ISP that provided competitive dialup Internet access in Western Nebraska and was the first non-ILEC to offer DSL service in Nebraska. Frustrated with the incumbent bureaucracy, Matt turned to wireless as an alternate way to deliver broadband, bypassing the phone companies completely. In November 2000, Larsen sold Scottsbluff Networx to Airwave Wireless, a company that held LMDS and cellular licenses for the Scottsbluff area. From November 2000 through October 2003, Larsen worked on ISP operations for Airwave, and concentrated on business development and the deployment of unlicensed wireless broadband systems. In October 2003, Larsen left Airwave to pursue opportunities in wireless broadband access and established Vistabeam. Vistabeam has deployed wireless broadband systems covering approximately 40,000 square miles across Wyoming, Colorado, South Dakota and Nebraska.
Katie Merce	Crown Castle	Senior Attorney - Government Relations	The Importance of State Advocacy In BEAD Funding Decisions	Katie Merce is Senior Attorney – Government Relations for Crown Castle and has more than ten years of broad experience in the telecommunications industry, including extensive background in real estate, customer agreements and municipal approvals. As a key partner of Crown Castle’s network deployment and government affairs teams, she strategically employs federal, state, and local law to facilitate timely construction of small cells and fiber, and advocates for Crown Castle before local and state government officials. Previously at Crown Castle, Katie worked closely with Crown Castle’s tower customer sales group, with a focus on constructing complex agreements and supporting expansion into new business segments, including ensuring Crown Castle’s internal legal processes accommodated the needs of WISPS. Prior to joining Crown Castle, Katie served as real estate counsel for a small wireless infrastructure company drafting ground leases and long-term easements to support rapid expansion. Katie received her undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame, and her juris doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.
JJ McGrath	TekWav	CEO	The Importance Of Grassroots Advocacy To Growing Your Business Understanding the Subsidy Landscape: How the Government is Affecting Your Business	JJ McGrath, CEO of TekWav has more than 20 years of experience in Information Technology. JJ Started TekWav as a WISP in 2013 and has grown the business to over 1900+ subs over the course of 10 years with plans to transition to a FTTH provider. TekWav is a recipient of Rural Digital Opportunity Fund support to deploy gigabit fiber and JJ is currently executing on the company’s buildout requirements. Understanding the importance of strong federal and state engagement to the industry, JJ currently serves as Chairman of the WISPA Government Affairs Committee, as well as the WISPA Texas State Broadband Advocate.
Jeff Kohler	Rise Broadband	Co-Founder and Chief Development Officer	Issues In Selling And Buying A WISP	Jeff has worked in the wireless industry for over 25 years, and he is responsible for all mergers and acquisitions, governmental affairs, spectrum development and media and trade relations for the largest privately-held fixed wireless broadband service provider in the United States serving customers in sixteen states. He serves on the board of directors for the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA) and is active in advocacy efforts with both the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the U.S. Congress. Rise is a recipient of the FierceWireless Service Provider of the Year award and in 2021 was named Best Rural ISP Overall by CNET.
Louis Peraertz	Wireless Internet Service Providers Association	Vice President of Policy	Spectrum Update	Louis Peraertz is WISPA’s Vice President of Policy. In this role, Louis works to advance WISPA’s successful track record before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), and other federal agencies. Prior to WISPA, Louis worked in several capacities at the FCC. Notably, for more than seven years, Louis served as legal advisor to former FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn in the areas of wireless, satellite, public safety, and international policies. In this position, Louis worked to achieve many of the Commissioner’s top policy priorities to bridge the digital divide, such as: increased spectrum for unlicensed services in the TV White Spaces, CBRS, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, and spectrum bands above 24 GHz; dynamic spectrum access management policies in the TV White Spaces, 3.5 GHz, and 37 GHz bands; design of geographic area licenses and competitive bidding policies to enhance the ability of small wireless companies to acquire spectrum at auctions; reform of universal service policies for commercial wireless services. Before the FCC, Louis worked as a federal appellate court litigator for the U.S. Department of Justice, and served in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General Corps. He has a BA from Princeton University and a JD from Harvard Law School.
Kathleen McDonald	Aristotle Unified Communications L.L.C	Regulatory and Compliance Officer	How To Fund And Build Your Fixed Wireless Network To Comply With Environmental, RF, and Other Infrastructure Siting Rules	Kathleen McDonald is the Regulatory and Compliance Officer of Aristotle Unified Communications L.L.C., a leading provider of broadband connectivity solutions that is committed to moving the needle on digital equity and inclusion in Arkansas, and soon in Mississippi, Oklahoma, and other areas. Prior to re-joining the Aristotle team in late 2020, Kathleen represented individuals and businesses in immigration matters after having served as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Pulaski County, Arkansas for several years. She received her J.D. from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and is a summa cum laude graduate of UA Little Rock’s Donaghey Scholars Program where she received bachelor’s degrees in International Studies and in French. Kathleen is a member of the Federal Communications Bar Association, and she is on the Board of Trustees of the Arkansas Bar Association.
Steven Schwerbel	Wireless Internet Service Providers Association	State Advocacy Manager	The Importance of State Advocacy In BEAD Funding Decisions The Importance Of Grassroots Advocacy To Growing Your Business	Steven Schwerbel currently serves as State Advocacy Manager for WISPA. In this capacity, he helps engage our volunteer coordinators in advocacy opportunities with state broadband offices, legislators, and policymakers who are shaping state-level broadband decisions. Before arriving at WISPA, Schwerbel was a staffer for Wisconsin state senator Julian Bradley, serving as his Committee Clerk for the Senate Committee on Utilities, Technology, and Telecommunications. Here, he managed bills related to a variety of utilities policy, including bills making changes to Wisconsin’s broadband grant program, and maintained strong relationships with the state’s Public Service Commission. Prior to this, Schwerbel served as staff for state representative Romaine Quinn, where he focused on broadband and rural development policy, drafting bills aimed at expanding rural broadband access. Here, he also served as the Committee Clerk for the Assembly Committee on Science and Technology and advised Rep. Quinn on broadband and internet-security related policy questions. Schwerbel began his government service as a Peace Corps volunteer in Azerbaijan, where he worked with English teachers in a rural village school.
Claude Aiken	Nextlink Internet	Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Legal Officer	Issues In Selling And Buying A WISP	Claude Aiken is the Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Legal Officer for Nextlink Internet, the premier provider of fixed-wireless and fiber Internet and phone services across Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Illinois and Iowa. He leads the company’s work on strategic market development and M&A, as well as heading its legal and government affairs practices. Prior to joining Nextlink, he was President & CEO of WISPA, leading the association to significant growth in budget, membership, and industry relevance. Claude joined WISPA after nearly a decade at the Federal Communications Commission. While there, he served as advisor to Chairman Wheeler and Commissioner Clyburn. He held senior leadership positions in the Wireline Bureau and Office of General Counsel, as well key staff attorney roles throughout the Commission. He has been recognized as a Rising Star in the wireless industry by FierceWireless, and has held multiple positions on federal advisory boards under the FCC and the Department of Commerce. Claude also holds a law degree from New York Law School and an English degree from Grove City College.
David Jermakian	Dynamic Environmental Associates	President	How To Fund And Build Your Fixed Wireless Network To Comply With Environmental, RF, and Other Infrastructure Siting Rules	I am the President of Dynamic Environmental Associates (DEA), a nationally recognized Environmental and Regulatory Compliance Consulting firm and has been working with the wireless industry since 1990’s. I have been working in this space since the 1990’s on tower and wireless environmental issues, including compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) as well as due diligence assessments. I’ve served as co-chair for the WIA Environmental Consultants Working Group and have been called upon on numerous occasions by companies, associations and the FCC to provide expert advice. Prior to founding DEA in 1993, I managed the environmental division of Storch Engineers, a regional engineering and consulting firm involved in a variety of projects ranging from NEPA compliance for federally funded design and construction projects to the investigation and remediation of Superfund sites.
K.C. Halm	Davis, Wright, Tremaine	Communications & Technology Partner	Rules That All WISPs Should Know Issues In Selling And Buying A WISP	K.C. Halm is a communications and technology partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, and co-chair of the firm’s national multi-disciplinary AI practice group. Broadband ISPs, wireless providers, and cable operators rely on K.C. for experienced counsel on a wide range of broadband policy and competition matters, broadband funding opportunities, wireless licensing and spectrum acquisition issues, privacy and special access (business data services) regulations, and state attorney general and PSC investigations. In addition, K.C. advises clients on privacy and data/network security issues under federal and state law, with a recent focus on issues arising under the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA), the telephone and cable privacy sections of the Telecommunications Act (CPNI), and mobile privacy and location-based services. K.C. also co-chairs Davis Wright Tremaine LLP’s AI Team, a national cross-disciplinary team of lawyers and professionals providing strategic guidance to clients deploying AI/ML-enabled applications and services. He advises the firm’s AI clients on issues arising in the use of AI and machine learning applications under existing and emerging legal frameworks.
Jessica Gyllstrom	Telecommunications Law Professionals	Member	Rules That All WISPs Should Know	Jessica’s practice areas include a broad range of regulatory, policy and transactional telecommunications and media matters. Jessica regularly represents Internet service providers, VoIP providers, mobile wireless carriers broadcasters and tower companies before the Federal Communications Commission and other federal and state agencies. Jessica has particular experience advising wireless service providers on compliance, licensing and policy matters, spectrum acquisition and funding opportunities, and her transactional work largely involves the drafting and negotiation of complex submarine and terrestrial fiber optic cable system arrangements, both within the United States and internationally. Jessica has been recognized by several legal ranking organizations, including Chambers and Partners, Super Lawyers, The Legal 500, and was also recently recognized by the Wireless Infrastructure Association as a “Noteworthy Woman in Wireless Infrastructure.” She is an active member of the Federal Communications Bar Association and is admitted to practice in New York, New Jersey, the District of Columbia, and before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
Curtis Davis	ICS Broadband	(not set)	The Importance of State Advocacy In BEAD Funding Decisions	Curtis's background goes back to his Childhood Day's, at 10 he started pulling Cabling for a Local Security Company, and in his Senior Year he started his Company, during those earlier years he was exposed to Radio Telephones (Yes before Celluar) and learned the in's and outs of FCC and PUCO processes. Fast Forward to today, ICS has Corporate Office in Downtown Columbus just South of the Ohio State House, with the main service area being Central/Eastern and Southern Ohio, with a few select National Accounts that are Serviced by ICS, the provide turnkey Solutions including Internet and Phone but also Fire, Security and other Technology Services, and also has a 24/7 Security Command Center and NOC at the Corporate Offices.
Eric Slee	Wireless Internet Service Providers Association	Vice President of Government Affairs	The Importance Of Grassroots Advocacy To Growing Your Business	Eric Slee currently serves as Vice President of Government Affairs for WISPA. In this capacity, he helps guide the advocacy efforts of the association’s 1000 members before Capitol Hill, as well WISPA’s growing state and local, and grassroots portfolio. Before arriving at WISPA, Slee was Legislative Director for Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS), former Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee. In that role, Eric managed Senator Roberts’ legislative staff and worked to implement the Senator’s legislative agenda. He also served as primary advisor to the Senator on policy matters related to telecom, energy, trade, and the environment. Prior to that, Slee was Senior Account Executive for the DCI Group in Washington, DC, developing and maintaining long-term relationships with think tanks, political activists, issue experts, and advocacy organizations on public policy issues related to the telecommunications industry. Other positions Eric has held include Communications Training Director for the Leadership Institute in Arlington, Virginia; and Legislative Correspondent for former Representative Mark Green (R-WI-8) in Washington, DC. Slee earned his BA degree in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.
Casey Lide	Keller and Heckman	Partner	Developing Public Private Partnerships With States and Local Governments	Casey Lide is a Partner in Keller & Heckman’s Washington, D.C. office. He advises and represents public- and private-sector clients on a wide range of communications-related matters, including strategy development, contract negotiations (network development agreements, fiber optic IRUs and leases, franchises, attachment agreements, ISP service agreements, and others), public-private partnerships, federal and state regulatory compliance, and broadband funding.
Tony Gualtieri	Tectonic	Executive Vice President of Engineering Services Nationwide	How To Fund And Build Your Fixed Wireless Network To Comply With Environmental, RF, and Other Infrastructure Siting Rules	Antonio (Tony) Gualtieri, P.E., Executive Vice President of Engineering Services Nationwide, Mr. Gualtieri has been with Tectonic for over 30 years’ and the majority of his Tectonic experience includes national wireless network deployments for all major telecommunication carriers and infrastructure providers in the U.S. and Territories. Mr. Gualtieri is a Licensed Professional Engineer in twenty states within the Civil / Structural disciplines. Additionally, Mr. Gualtieri is responsible for overall management of the corporate structural division for tower analyses and facility structural projects and holds overall technical responsibility for Tectonic’s Facilities Group.
Adrian Berezowsky	Dynamic Environmental	(not set)	How To Fund And Build Your Fixed Wireless Network To Comply With Environmental, RF, and Other Infrastructure Siting Rules	Mr. Berezowsky is Vice President at Dynamic Environmental Associates (DEA), He has over 15 years of experience in the wireless infrastructure industry having helped to found IVI Telecom Services, Inc., a nationwide environmental consulting firm which also specialized in environmental and regulatory due diligence for wireless infrastructure development. IVI was acquired by CBRE in late 2014 where he served as Senior Managing Director until 2018 after which he founded BirchCo, Inc., a boutique firm specializing in regulatory and environmental oversight for commercial projects, whose operations were merged into DEA’s in early 2020. He attended The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science & Art and Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and is a board member, and former Vice President for the New York State Wireless Association and co-chair of the Wireless Infrastructure Associations Environmental Engineering and Consultants Working Group. He lives in the lower Hudson Valley of New York with his wife and three young boys and enjoys spending time with them as well as mountain biking, reading and attending various events of the Ukrainian diaspora.
Steven Glapa	Tarana Wireless	VP of Marketing	Building Customer Confidence To Switch to FWA	Steven is VP of Marketing at Tarana Wireless. He has more than 20 years of experience in telecommunications innovation, with prior stints at Ruckus (where he led business and channel development that drove 10x revenue gains over 4 years and a $1b IPO), Zhone, ArrayComm, Lucent, and other startups in wireless, machine learning, and robotics. He holds an MBA from Columbia University, a BA in Physics from Carleton College, and a BS in Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science from George Washington University.
John Hoadley	Mavenir	Vice President of Sales Engineering and Product Architecture – North America	CBRS and Other Private Network Strategies	John Hoadley has been in the wireless industry for over 25 years and has worked in technology, product management and sales executive roles at Nortel Networks, Taqua, Casa Systems and Mavenir. As Nortel’s Wireless CTO, John managed the advanced wireless research team that drove early LTE innovations. John also founded the small cell backhaul startup Relay IQ that was acquired by Taqua. Subsequently, he ran wireless and wireline product management at Taqua. John graduated from the University of British Columbia with a bachelors degree in electrical engineering and received an MBA from the University of Western Ontario. John is the North American Vice President of Sales Engineering and Product Architecture at Mavenir.
Douglas Patterson	Crown Castle	Vice President, Implementation & Operations	Fiber Technologies - 10Gbps Design Overview Which Way to Build - Up or Down? Troubleshooting Fiber	Douglas Patterson - Crown Castle Vice President – West Region 24 years of Telecom Engineering, Construction & Operations. Crown Castle – 5 Years Previously with US West/Qwest/CenturyLink - Western U.S. - 18 Years
Kelley Lace	Total Highspeed LLC	Sales Manager	Getting the Most Out of Your Sales Team What Does it Mean to be a Manager? Connecting With Employees Selling to Businesses	In 2005, Travis Allen founded TA Highspeed, a small company consisting of one, to find a way to provide an Internet solution for his parents and their neighbors in Ozark, Missouri. Over the years, Travis’ determination has led him to expand his horizons to include not just the neighborhood in Ozark, but throughout the Southwest Ozark region of Missouri and Northern Arkansas. The name of the company changed over the years as well with expansion and Travis’ promise to bring Internet solutions to as many people as he could in the rural areas of our state. TA Highspeed morphed into Total Highspeed Internet Solutions in 2011 and today the company of one has grown to over 70 employees. Total Highspeed Internet Solutions offers wireless Internet through towers, silos, telephone poles and barns around the Ozarks as well as the new Fiber-To-The-Home projects you will see being constructed in small communities all over the Ozarks. Travis’ commitment to providing the same or better Internet service to rural homes as you can get in the big cities allows those of us living in the Ozarks to work from home, home school, run a business and maintain a job during these pandemic times. With always looking for ways to accomplish long term solutions to the ongoing and increasing need for good Internet and speed, Travis, his family and the Total Highspeed family, hope to provide their neighbors with access to the future and the world.
Marty Fredericks	FORVIS	Partner	Financial Accounting for WISP's Preparing for a Financial Statement Audit	As a member of FORVIS’ telecommunications team, Marty provides audit, tax, and consulting services to a variety of telecommunications, cable television, and wireless provider entities. He also assists with financial reporting, mergers and acquisitions, and budgeting. He co-manages FORVIS’ annual telecommunications benchmarking study and annual telecommunications accounting seminar. Marty is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and Iowa Society of Certified Public Accountants (ISCPA) and currently serves as Co-Chair of ISCPA’s Legislative Committee. He serves on the board of governors of the Iowa College Foundation and is a member of the Iowa Communications Alliance Scholarship Committee. Marty is a 1996 graduate of Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa, with a B.A. degree in accounting.
Barak Harlan	CHR Solutions	Sr Systems Engineer	GIS Mapping Isn't Just for Equipment Loading The ABCs of Fiber Deployment	Barak joined CHR Solutions in 1998 as an intern and an engineer in Planning and Design. To broaden his experience, he joined Cap Rock Telephone Cooperative, Inc. as the Lead Engineer and Special Project Coordinator. After 5 years at Cap Rock Telephone Cooperative, he rejoined CHR Solutions in 2008 and has been involved in equipment engineering, planning and design, and sales engineering. Barak has a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Texas Tech University.
Alex Doorduyn	Siklu	Chief Revenue Officer	Practical Capacity and Distance for Licensed Backhaul The Path to Gigabit - At Scale!	Alex Doorduyn is VP & GM Siklu Americas where he is focused on leading, creating and executing the strategic vision of the Siklu Americas team to provide gigabit speed wireless connectivity for multiple applications, including helping to bridge the Digital Divide in underserved urban as well as rural areas.
Jeff Yee	Airwaive	CEO	GIS Mapping Isn't Just for Equipment Loading Helium, Pollen and Other Ways to Monetize Your Existing Broadcast Sites	Jeff Yee is a 25-year veteran in the wireless industry. Jeff serves as the CEO of Airwaive, an online marketplace for the deployment and operations of small cell wireless networks. Prior to Airwaive, Jeff was a Vice President at ZTE, a top five equipment manufacturer of wireless networks, leading innovation and marketing teams. Early in his career, Jeff held various roles at AT&T Wireless, including launching the first Internet phone in the United States and he was directly responsible for the creation of AT&T’s first app store.
Jeff Broadwick	CTIconnect	Senior Sales Executive	Building Customer Confidence To Switch to FWA The Path to Gigabit - At Scale!	Jeff has spent over 25 years in the WISP industry, mostly with CTIconnect and ImageStream. He served two terms as a Board Member of WISPA and continues to sit on the Policy Committee (was FCC Committee). He as been to every Wispamerica and Wispapalooza show and is a charter member. He is an executive sales rep for CTIconnect, selling most of the WISP industry hardware. He has an MBA from Indiana University South Bend and a bachelors degree from Wayne State. He lives just outside of South Bend Indiana with his wife Lori.
David Burns	Wireless Coverage Ltd	Chief Executive Officer	RF Design and Planning	David Burns is a well-known industry figure in the Fixed Wireless Access industry, as Chairman of UKWISPA and founder of Boundless Networks and Wireless Coverage. In 2018, David launched Wireless Coverage Ltd, which provides ground-breaking software to model property coverage for Fixed Wireless. The underlying technology (WISDM) was initially built to plan and model large scale next generation networks that are based on FWA technology. WISDM technology has several innovative features that are specifically optimised for high speed FWA and 5G modelling. These result in the creation of networks that use the minimum amount of equipment to provide the maximum coverage.
Ajith Pasqual	Paraqum Technologies	CEO/Director		Ajith Pasqual is the CEO and Founder of Paraqum.
Marc Perea	RemoteWinBox	CEO	Great Troubleshooting Methods IP Conservation	MikroTikMarc has decades of route/switch experience paired with multi-vendor certifications as well as computer science and management information systems degrees combined with entrepreneurial spirit resulting in a wealth of knowledge for Marc Perea to draw from
Chuck Hogg	All Points Broadband	SVP		(not set)
John Bagalini	Triad Wireless	COO/CFO		(not set)
Bob Pensworth	CresComm WiFi. LLC	CEO	What Does it Mean to be a Manager?	My first job was Operations Manager for a radio paging company. I climbed towers, and maintained the sites. I launched their WISP business in 2006. In 2011, I was hired by CresComm WiFi, LLC (current employer) to handle commercial accounts. I worked in the Long Beach office. In 2014, I was promoted to General Manager and in 2016 I became CEO. My first major project was migration of accounts to Powercode. I do everything from Site Surveys, Installer Training, Network Design, and Deployment. We moved our main office to Port Angeles, WA in 2019 and maintain a satellite office in Astoria, OR. My hobbies include Amateur Radio, Dancing, Photography, Alumni Groups, and travel.
JAMES TAYLOR	BLUEBIRD NETWORK	VP - Carrier and Strategic Sales	Fiber Deployment Options Fiber to Fiber - Connecting FTTH Islands	James is an industry veteran with experience in fiber optic networks and wireless operations, and strives to connect communications companies to enable the expansion of their operations.
Robert Kressin	KS Technologies, LLC	President	Lorawan - Lightning Session	Bob Kressin founded KS Technologies in 2003 and currently serves as its President and CEO. His educational background includes a Bachelor's Degree and a Masters of Science Degree, both in Electrical Engineering. For over twelve years, Bob was a Hardware Design Engineer at Hewlett-Packard / Agilent Technologies, allowing him to focus on integrated circuits and system-level test and measurement instrument creation as a Hardware Design Engineer. While at Agilent, Bob was granted two patents in the field of Electrical Engineering. He is very passionate and excited about sensing remote phenomena and making sense out of that data so people can better care for others and their businesses. Today, Bob leads KST, whose primary focus is end-to-end sensing to Cloud solutions.
Jeffrey Moore	Wave7 Research	Principal	Competition - Fiber, Satellite, Cable, DSL, 5G	Jeff Moore is Principal of Wave7 Research, a wireless research company that covers U.S. postpaid, prepaid, smartphone, and fixed wireless competition. He writes a monthly column for Fierce Wireless and is an expert on wireless retail. He is also Conference Director of the All Wireless & Prepaid Expo. Jeff has over 25 years of telecom industry experience, including 13 years of work for Sprint. Prior to Sprint, Jeff worked as a telecom analyst for Current Analysis and The Strategis Group. Jeff holds an MBA from Cornell University.
Ryan Reid	ROAMR Wireless & Broadband	CEO	Service Installs: Let's Make Them More Efficient	(not set)
Paul Kmit	Clearfield, Inc.	Technology Platform Manager	Plug and Play Cookie Cutter Concepts Simplify FTTH Deployments	(not set)
Kristian Hoffmann	Cal.net	Principal Engineer	GIS Mapping Isn't Just for Equipment Loading Mixing -48v, 48v, 24, In One System and How to Ground it All	Kristian Hoffmann began his career at a dial-up ISP in 1997 that adapted into a WISP, Fire2Wire, in 2000. The following decade at Fire2Wire included OSS, kernel, and other software development, along with network and RF design, planning, and implementation. In 2011, he moved from his role as CTO to President, managing day to day operations, business process development and automation, and ultimately leading the company to the acquisition by Cal.net in 2019. Kristian now serves as CTO for Cal.net in Central California, continuing his 24 years in the ISP/WISP industry, graciously supported by his wife Virginia and two children.