Broadband Development Conference
Michael Baker International, Program Manager, Broadband Consulting
Julie DeCuypere has over 20 years’ experience in the telecommunications industry on both the provider and consulting sides. Julie began her career at a national wireless carrier as an environmental coordinator, permitting expeditor, and project manager. She has extensive expertise in regulatory compliance for both wireline and wireless clients. Julie has led large scale network and billing migration projects for Tier 1 and Tier 2 carriers. Julie is currently a Program Manager in the National Broadband Consulting Practice at Michael Baker International where she supports state broadband offices in the administration of over $500 million in federally funded broadband infrastructure grant programs. Recognized for translating complex technical strategies into measurable outcomes, Julie is passionate about expanding connectivity and advancing next generation infrastructure.
The NTIA BEAD program has already allocated approximately 20 billion dollars in deployment funds. Eligible Entities and Subgrantees are actively planning, forecasting, scheduling, procuring, and designing. But what happens later on down the line? Local permitting is where deployment plans meet the real world—and sometimes collide with it. This candid panel brings together state broadband leaders and on the ground practitioners to share stories about the challenges, surprises, and human moments behind local permitting. From unexpected roadblocks to hard won breakthroughs, attendees will hear what it really takes to navigate local permitting while keeping projects (and tempers) on track. This session will emphasize how early, consistent, and respectful engagement at the local level, including “boots on the ground,” can dramatically reduce delays and improve project outcomes. Panelists will explore how these relationships are especially critical in smaller jurisdictions where staff juggle multiple roles, and how, by investing in these partnerships, Subgrantees can unlock smoother reviews, clearer feedback loops, and more collaborative problem-solving throughout the permitting process. This panel will dive into real-world examples and highlight the human side of deployment: the towns that became partners, the jurisdictions that threw curveballs, as well as the collaborative relationships that helped move projects forward despite those obstacles. Panelists will share best practices and what it’s like to navigate mismatched requirements, shifting timelines, seasonal moratoriums, and the occasional “lost” application. If you’ve ever walked into a permit office with optimism and walked out feeling frustrated, this conversation is for you! Join us for honest stories, real world lessons, and shared discussion. Panelists:
