Profile PictureFull NameCompanyJob TitleSpeaking AtAttendee Bio
(not set)Bentley Claudon(not set)(not set)Amazing Customer Service - It's All in The Little Things
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(not set)Christian Kurasek(not set)(not set)Helium, Pollen and Other Ways to Monetize Your Existing Broadcast Sites
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Bryan ScottBryan Scott9Stone LLCChief Everything OfficerFiber for the Longhaul
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Jeff LittleJeff LittleAbove Wireless LLCChief Executive OfficerI have been in the industry since I was a young kid. I am a second-generation tower climber. I have been working in the industry since 2007 right after high school and have been going since. I have worked for a few companies over the years before starting Above Wireless in 2017. I am active in NATE (North American Tower Erectors) and WISPA. I helped build and teach the tower tech program at many colleges. I hope to contribute more over the years to both NATE and WISPA.
Michael KletchkoMichael KletchkoAdtranVP, RSP West SalesPlug and Play Cookie Cutter Concepts Simplify FTTH Deployments
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Doug PayauysDoug PayauysAdtranStrategic Sales Development Mgr.Fiber Dos and Don'ts
Adtran’s Doug Payauys [pay-I-us] serves as a Strategic Sales Development Manager where he fosters business development opportunities with other industry leading companies and works with customers on innovative broadband solutions. Doug spent over 20 years in the electric cooperative and internet service provider industries. His experience from the early days of the internet with dial-up, PTP and PTMP wireless, DSL, and satellite services highlighted the need for a fully owned and operated fiber network. He was the driving force behind an electric utility’s investment in middle-mile fiber. In 2017, he developed a residential broadband business plan and began deploying fiber-to-the-home for electric members and others in the community. Doug holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Safety and Industrial Technology from Illinois State University and Master of Science in Computer Information Systems from the University of Phoenix. He is a graduate of NRECA’s Robert I. Kabat Management Internship Program. He is a founding member of the Ohio Internet Exchange (Ohio IX) where he serves as the board chair.
(not set)Amanda SchererAdTran(not set)Gigabit Marketing
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Tom CoburnTom CoburnADVAProduct Line Manager: Infrastructure Management SolutionsTroubleshooting Fiber
Product Line Manager: Fiber Assurance Solutions Adtran\ADVA Tom is the Product Line Manager for the ADVA’s Infrastructure Management (AIM) business unit. He is responsible for ADVA’s ALM (Advanced Link Monitoring) solutions which provide real-time monitoring of fiber optic infrastructures for service providers, carriers and utilities. Tom brings over 30 years of PLM experience to Adtran\ADVA, a global provider of optical transport, packet edge and timing solutions. He has held PLM positions with MRV Communications, Cabletron Systems, Enterasys, and Cisco Systems.
Jeff YeeJeff YeeAirwaiveCEOGIS 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.
Chuck HoggChuck HoggAll Points BroadbandSVP(not set)
(not set)Kevin SullivanAlyrica NetworksPresidentGreat Troubleshooting Methods
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(not set)Jordan FongAlyrica NetworksCustomer Support ManagerResiliency and Reliability in WISP networks
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Andrew PigneyAndrew PigneyAmerican TowerTechnology PrincipalRF Design and Planning
Andrew Pigney currently works for American Tower Corporation as Technology Principal, providing technical and engineering support for many internal groups globally. He has over 40 years work experience ranging from military electronic warfare systems to wireless telecom service and infrastructure providers. He is well versed in many technology disciplines including RF engineering planning, design, and deployment of outdoor and indoor wireless infrastructure ranging from broadband to microwave to 5G. He lives in New England, is father to seven children, four grandchildren, and enjoys playing guitar in several bands
Mark RadabaughMark RadabaughAmplexCEOWISP Financing
Technical Considerations in Multi Access Networks
Mark Radabaugh is the President of Amplex Internet that has been providing broadband to Northwest Ohio since 1997 and now serves thousands of residences and businesses. He has been a member of WISPA since 2006. In 2020, Mark was elected Chairman of the WISPA Board of Directors.
John SweetingJohn SweetingARINChief Customer OfficerAchieving Network Autonomy
John Sweeting, the Chief Customer Officer of the American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN) maintains and oversees all aspects of customer relations at the organization. He brings extensive expertise in the Internet industry, having a track record of building and managing large global networks with leading international carriers such as MCI, Cable & Wireless, Teleglobe and Tata. Prior to joining ARIN, John served as the Senior Director of Architecture & Engineering for Time Warner Cable, where he was responsible for selecting and testing all network infrastructure, from the core backbone to the service delivery platforms. John is a retired Chief Warrant Officer having served 24 years in the United States Army Signal Corps.
Kathleen McDonaldKathleen McDonaldAristotle Unified Communications L.L.CRegulatory and Compliance OfficerHow 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.
Elizabeth BowlesElizabeth BowlesAristotle Unified Communications L.L.C.CEOHow the IIJA and Other Congressional Statutes Have Changed the Regulatory Landscape and Impacted Your Plans for Fiber and Wireless Deployments
Developing Public Private Partnerships With States and Local Governments
The Importance Of Grassroots Advocacy To Growing Your Business
Understanding the Subsidy Landscape: How the Government is Affecting Your Business
L. Elizabeth Bowles is CEO of Aristotle Unified Communications, LLC, a broadband internet service provider headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas. In that position, Elizabeth guides the strategic direction and vision of Aristotle and is integral to the development of Aristotle’s business relationships, including partnerships, investment strategies, and joint ventures. A passionate advocate for the expansion of affordable broadband services in rural and underserved areas, Elizabeth has testified before Congress and the FCC and served two terms as Chair of the FCC’s Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee, which is an independent advisory body tasked with making policy recommendations for eliminating the digital divide. A past President of the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA), Elizabeth currently serves on WISPA’s Policy Committee and is its Arkansas State Coordinator and Regional Ambassador for the Southeast Region. Elizabeth is licensed to practice law in Washington, D.C. and Arkansas, as well as before the Supreme Court of the United States and a number of U.S. Courts of Appeals. Prior to joining Aristotle’s leadership team in 2000, Elizabeth was an attorney with the Washington, D.C. law firm of Arnold & Porter, where she practiced in the fields of intellectual property and commercial litigation with an emphasis on international and technology law. Elizabeth graduated summa cum laude from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a B.A. in International Studies and obtained her Doctor of Jurisprudence from the Vanderbilt University School of Law in 1993, where she graduated first in her class, Order of the Coif, and was awarded the Founder’s Medal. Elizabeth also received the top score on the 1993 bar exam. Elizabeth has served on numerous boards and committees, including the Arkansas State Bank Board, Better Business Bureau of Arkansas (past President), Rotary Club 99 (Communications Chair), Central Arkansas Executives Association, City Year Little Rock/North Little Rock (Founding Board Member), YPO Chapter Chair and Regional Education Chair, Arkansas’ Quality Digital Learning Study Committee, the Arkansas Broadband Council, and Arkansas’ FASTER committee.
Daniel WhiteDaniel WhiteAtheral LLCCo-FounderCulture vs Company Values: What Do I Need?
Mr. White is a 20-year telecommunications veteran and the Co-Founder of Atheral LLC, a white-Label services company that builds customer-centric cloud solutions that are geo-redundant, highly available, and scalable. Atheral offers a white-label cloud VoIP solution that more than 150 WISPs utilize in their network today. Before Atheral, he was the Managing Director of Sales and Operations for CTIconnect, and the Managing Director of North America for SAF Tehinka. He also served in engineering, installation, and tower climbing roles. Mr. White previously served on the WISPA Board of Directors.
Ken RuppelKen RuppelAviat NetworksISP SalesPractical Capacity and Distance for Licensed Backhaul
RF Design and Planning
Ken is an official ‘old guy’ with 40 years of experience in the wireless backhaul industry, starting off as an intern at Harris-Farinon in 1981. Ken has a BSEE degree in microwave communications from the University of Santa Clara, with 10 years working in microwave reconnaissance, and holding several technical leadership positions at microwave radio companies including Western Multiplex, Exalt Communications and now Aviat Networks. One of Ken’s notable achievements was his involvement in the early 90’s with the Part 15 Coalition, contributing to the creation of the original ISM and UNII bands and technologies such as WiFi and Bluetooth. Ken now leads the North American WISP business unit at Aviat Networks and is the co-host of the YouTube series ‘ShopTalk with Jim & Ken’.
(not set)Adair WinterAW BroadbandVP / Co-Owner(not set)
(not set)Mark DallasAW Broadband(not set)Hybrid Wireless/Fiber to the Home
Legal Requirements of Installing Fiber
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(not set)Jesse RaaschBaicells TechnologiesCTOHelium, Pollen and Other Ways to Monetize Your Existing Broadcast Sites
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(not set)Patrick ButhmannBLiNQ NetworksVice President Sales, Marketing & Business DevelopmentThe Benefits of pLTE
CBRS and Other Private Network Strategies
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Spencer PousSpencer PousBluBroadband ISPFounder/CEOAll Things MDU - From Sales to Service to Tech
Next Generation Network Monitoring Beyond SNMP
Selling to Businesses
Spencer is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of SJP Network Solutions. His company serves areas in Florida. He is also a member of the WISPA Board of Directors.
JAMES TAYLORJAMES TAYLORBLUEBIRD NETWORKVP - Carrier and Strategic SalesFiber 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.
(not set)Sunil NaikCable Aml IncCEOPractical Capacity and Distance for Licensed Backhaul
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Jeff BrownJeff BrownCalixSenior Director Field MarketingFiber Technologies - 10Gbps Design Overview
Competition - Fiber, Satellite, Cable, DSL, 5G
Jeff Brown is Director of Product & Field Marketing for Calix. Jeff has been at Calix three and a half years, and prior to that he spent his entire career working for broadband service providers. He has extensive experience building and growing broadband markets for wireline and wireless network operators, having spent over 25 years leading Business Development, Product and Marketing organizations for companies including Windstream, Zayo, Covad, Suddenlink, Sprint and MCI. He resides in the greater Chicago area in Naperville, Illinois.
Skip HirvelaSkip HirvelaCalixVice President Regional Sales PartnersRevenue Now, Fiber Later
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Kristian HoffmannKristian HoffmannCal.netPrincipal EngineerGIS 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.
(not set)Derek UnderwoodCambium NetworksRegional Vice President - North AmericaAll Things MDU - From Sales to Service to Tech
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(not set)Marc HemannCambium NetworksTraining ManagerUniversal Access Architecture with Adaptive Cloud Networking
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(not set)Daran HermansCambium NetworksDirector, Product Line ManagementMDU/MTU Cost Analysis - To Rewire or To NOT Rewire
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(not set)Sakid AhmedCambium NetworksGeneral Manager of ePMP & cnVision BusinessWiFi 6e for Fixed Wireless Access Deep Dive
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(not set)David IslandCambium NetworksRegional Sales Director(not set)
Jonathan BlackJonathan BlackCanWISPExecutive DirectorExit Strategies
WISP Management Systems
Jonathan is the Executive Director of CanWISP (www.canwisp.ca) and an advisor to ISPs. In his role with CanWISP, Jonathan represents the WISP industry to the CRTC and at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) on matter such as equal access to government funding, spectrum and industry regulation. Outside of his involvement in CanWISP, Jonathan is a management consultant and advisor to WISPs through Kuro Partners. He has held senior operational, advisory and financial roles in various technology and software companies. Jonathan lived the upside of the Internet bubble in Venture Capital (late 1990s) and learned more difficult lessons working inside an internet startup when that bubble burst. Jonathan has an MBA from Ivey Business School at Western University, a Graduate Diploma from Regent College and an Honors B.Math (Comp Sci / Applied Math) from the University of Waterloo.
Barak HarlanBarak HarlanCHR SolutionsSr Systems EngineerGIS 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.
(not set)Isaac KimCienaSenior Systems EngineerFiber for the Longhaul
Transport to Peering: An Efficient Way to Improve Network Performance
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Paul KmitPaul KmitClearfield, Inc.Technology Platform ManagerPlug and Play Cookie Cutter Concepts Simplify FTTH Deployments
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David TheodoreDavid TheodoreClimate Resilient Internet, LLCCo-founderResiliency and Reliability in WISP networks
David Theodore pioneered the fixed wireless industry in 1987 as founder and CEO of Microwave Bypass. Microwave Bypass created the first 802.3 compatible, 10 Mbps wireless access tech, built on a 23GHz radio platform. It gave world leading universities, hospitals, research centers and tech companies their first access in the early days of the internet when fiber was scarce. Today, David is co-founder of Climate Resilient Internet where they're developing a new standard and certification program around resilience to extreme weather. The certification is meant to empower WISPs to kill it in the enterprise space, with a premium service that's sold by the gig, based on quality and criticality, not lowest price. Hit me up for more on that!
Brandon HardyBrandon HardyCobalt RidgeOwnerStarting A WISP - What You Should Know
What Does it Take to be a WISP Owner?
I am co-owner and co-founder of Cobalt Ridge in Wichita Falls, TX. I started this company from the ground up with my prior knowledge in enterprise IT, although I had never worked in the carrier side of things before. My business partner and I self-funded the company and grew the snowball slowly. After nearly 7 years of work, we have surpassed 800 customers and are poised to double in size over the next year as we deploy cutting-edge technologies and aggressive strategies to expand our service footprint.
(not set)Scott PiehnComputer Dynamics/JCWIFIManagerGrounding - Stop Losing Equipment
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Patrik MelanderPatrik MelanderConnect 5G, Inc.Chairman and CEOBuilding Customer Confidence To Switch to FWA
Earning Additional Revenue from Customers
Patrik Melander is the Chairman, CEO and co-founder of Connect 5G, which enables acceleration of mobile network deployments through focus on quality, agility and automation with expertise in multi-vendor Services of 5G, CBRS, LTE and legacy technologies, bridging the digital divide in Rural America and enables 5G across the USA through new and innovative solutions. Patrik has 27 years of global telecom and services experience, building global organizations, leading transformations, and since 2016 an entrepreneur in the AI, IoT and 5G space serving on BoD and Advisory boards of growth companies in this space and is in addition the Chairman and President of the Swedish American Chamber, Dallas-Fort Worth He is Swedish of origin and spent 24 years within the Ericsson group, living in Sweden, Japan, Brazil, Costa Rica, UAE and San Diego, Chicago, Boca Raton and Dallas in diverse leadership and General management positions. Patrik currently lives in Dallas, TX with his wife Kristina and two children.
Bob PensworthBob PensworthCresComm WiFi. LLCCEOWhat 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.
Katie MerceKatie MerceCrown CastleSenior Attorney - Government RelationsThe 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.
Douglas PattersonDouglas PattersonCrown CastleVice President, Implementation & OperationsFiber 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
(not set)Cody RacetteCrown Castle USA Inc.(not set)Dealing With Interference - Session Sponsored by Wireless Coverage
GIS Mapping Isn't Just for Equipment Loading
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Jeff BroadwickJeff BroadwickCTIconnectSenior Sales ExecutiveBuilding Customer Confidence To Switch to FWA
The Path to Gigabit - At Scale!
Jeff has spent over 20 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.
(not set)Rex LeeCyber Talk TV(not set)Ransomware - Proofing Your ISP
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K.C. HalmK.C. HalmDavis, Wright, TremaineCommunications & Technology PartnerRules 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.
Martha HuizengaMartha HuizengaDC Access LLCCOO and Co-OwnerWISP Marketing/PR
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