Robin Olds is a Senior Sales Business Development Manager within the Broadband Program Office for Americas Service Provider at Cisco. With more than 28 years of experience in the networking industry; he brings deep expertise across multiple sectors, including banking, healthcare, manufacturing, public sector, and service providers. At Cisco, Robin is a recognized leader and evangelist for broadband innovation, AI-driven network transformation, and U.S. broadband funding initiatives. He is passionate about helping service providers bridge the digital divide and enable an inclusive, connected future through scalable and sustainable network architectures. Robin is also the host of Cisco’s “Beyond the Fiber” podcast, where he engages industry leaders in conversations on the future of networking, broadband evolution, AI, and the technologies reshaping global connectivity. Through this platform, he amplifies key industry insights and fosters dialog across the service provider ecosystem. Since joining Cisco in 2013, Robin has held a series of progressive leadership roles spanning commercial and service provider organizations. He began as a Select Account Manager in U.S. Commercial before moving into Americas Service Provider as a Territory Account Manager. In 2019, he advanced to Senior Sales Business Development Manager, leading sales strategy for the U.S. mid-market segment. He later transitioned to headquarters to focus on strategic innovation initiatives, and today co-leads the Broadband Program Office, driving go-to-market strategy and industry engagement. Prior to Cisco, Robin held both sales and engineering roles AT&T, Dell, Brocade, and Forcepoint (formerly Websense), building a well-rounded perspective across the technology ecosystem. Robin holds degrees from the University of Florida and Saint Leo University, and earned his MBA from Charleston Southern University. He is a U.S. Army veteran, a passionate customer advocate, and an IT thought leader. Outside of work, he is a proud father of two boys.
As AI rapidly expands across public and private sectors, the demand for fast, reliable, and resilient broadband has become a national priority. This session explores how state broadband offices—especially those implementing BEAD—play a critical role in enabling the infrastructure that AI depends on. We will examine how BEAD-funded fiber, middle‑mile upgrades, and resilient network design support the administration’s broader goals around AI innovation, economic development, and public safety. The discussion will highlight how modern connectivity enables AI tools that strengthen emergency response, improve community services, and enhance critical infrastructure security. We will walk away with a clear understanding of how broadband strategy, AI‑ready infrastructure, and federal priorities align to support long‑term statewide digital resilience.