BEAD – Headaches, Hurdles, and Headway – Dispatches from the Front Lines

August 7 – 1:30 pm to 2:15 pm
Governor's Square 14

Join Dr. Justin Fazzari, Sanborn Geospatial’s Senior Broadband Strategist and Jenna Leveille, VP of State and Local Government Practice as they discuss the necessity for local governments to develop a comprehensive broadband data strategy that includes two fundamental elements: asset mapping and pragmatic strategic planning. They will discuss how asset mapping must focus on unique community needs provided in a user-friendly platform like Sanborn’s Broadband Navigator™ – No manuals or professional GIS skills needed! They will also discuss how a strategic plan focused on implementation will allow local governments to make sure they have meaningful influence on how BEAD is implemented in their jurisdiction.

Dave Zelenok, CEO of ZK Engineers, will discuss the importance of incorporating resiliency planning when implementing broadband infrastructure. Dave will share his experience supporting disaster recovery of telecommunications networks in communities across the country including Denver area’s “Marshall Fire” the Waldo Canyon and Black Forest fires in Colorado Springs, Four Mile Canyon in Boulder County (progressively Colorado’s most destructive fires), Paradise, California; Bastrop, Texas (suburban Austin, consuming 3,000 homes) as well personal assessments from the 2023 Lahaina, Maui, and the March 2024 Amarillo, Texas “Panhandle” fires.

Tom Duchen President of River Oaks Communications Corporation will discuss how local governments can best manage right of way issues in light of the unprecedented Federal and State Broadband spending that is occurring under Broadband Projects and is about to occur under the BEAD program.

The panel will also provide their perspective on how they see state broadband offices evolving over the long term – BEAD funding will wind down, just as the importance of broadband will continue to increase as a vital utility and digital equity issues will continue to be an area in need of attention.