Local Advocacy and Legislative Partnerships in Rural Deployments

Monday, May 18, 2026

1:00 PM - 1:40 PM ET

Location: Escambia (Mezzanine Level)

Moderator(s)

Colby Humphrey

Research Officer, Broadband Access Initiative
The Pew Charitable Trusts
Waco, Texas, United States

Panelist(s)

Mitch Hibbard (he/him/his)

Chief Operating Officer
Peñasco Valley Telephone Cooperative, Inc.
Artesia, New Mexico, United States
EF

Evan Feinman

Principal
Feinman Strategic Network
Joanne Hovis (she/her/hers)

President and CEO
CTC Technology & Energy
Bethesda, Maryland, United States
Kevin F. Czaicki

Vice President of Engineering and Strategic Solutions
Millennium
Delavan, Wisconsin, United States

Successful rural broadband projects often hinge on strong local advocacy and legislative support. This session explores how providers can build partnerships with community leaders and policymakers to secure funding, streamline permitting, and overcome regulatory hurdles. Learn proven approaches to align interests and create win-win outcomes. Strengthen your ability to turn local relationships into deployment success.