Creating Strong Financial Foundations that Support Service Expansion to Remote and Harder-to-Reach Communities

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

8:00 AM - 8:40 AM ET

Location: Lafayette 3 (Mezzanine Level)

Moderator(s)

Revati Prasad

Executive Director
Benton Institute for Broadband & Society

Panelist(s)

Alex King (he/him/his)

Director of Broadband
Blue Ridge Mountain EMC
Young Harris, Georgia, United States
James D. Taylor

Chief Consultant
Red Buffalo Thunder Consulting
Lee's Summit, Missouri, United States
Jim Zou

Director of Global Business Development
Adtran
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Jessica Koch (she/her/hers)

Controller
CBS Oregon, Colorado, United States

Expanding into remote areas requires more than ambition, it demands financial resilience. This session explores strategies for building solid financial models that support long-term growth, including funding structures, risk management, and cost optimization. Learn how providers are balancing investment with sustainability to reach underserved communities. Strengthen your financial approach to turn expansion goals into achievable outcomes.