Bridging Nebraska's Digital Divide - Virtual Broadband Event Videos
Dan Watermeier - Welcome!
Dan Watermeier was elected to the Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC) in November 2018 for a six-year term representing District 1, comprised of eight counties in Southeast Nebraska. Prior to joining the Commission, he served as a state senator in the Nebraska Unicameral from 2012 - 2018. A farmer by trade, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Oliver Borchers-Williams - Money is Coming
Oliver Borchers-Williams is the Broadband Action Team Coordinator at the Southeast Nebraska Development District (SENDD), serving as an AmeriCorps Fellow with Lead for Nebraska. Oliver graduated from Miami University, Ohio, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies and Political Science.
Broadband - Why Does It Matter?
Brian Cox - Precision Farming
Brian Cox serves as the Engagement Zone Coordinator for Zone 3 with the University of Nebraska Extension. He earned a degree in Animal Science from Colorado State University working positions in animal health and nutrition, then transitioned to IT networking for 23 years. His experience in public and private network support with Hewlett Packard, Buckle, and the University of Nebraska at Kearney, provides a unique pairing of technology networking and agricultural industry experience.
Julie Bushell - Precision Farming
Julie Bushell is the President of Paige Wireless and Director of Paige Precision Agriculture, designing and implementing connectivity solutions to solve rural America's large connectivity gap, while focused on rural economic development. Previously, she served as the Director of Sales and Marketing for Paige Precision Ag and is active on multiple technology innovation initiatives, including broadband. She received a Bachelors in Political Science and International Studies and Affairs from he University of North Florida.
Dr. Thomas Magnuson - Telehealth
Dr. Magnuson specializes in geriatric psychiatry and is board certified in both adult and geriatric psychiatry. He has regularly provided psychiatric services via telehealth for nursing home residents throughout Nebraska since 2004. This service has over 60 sites across Nebraska and Iowa where patients are seen. Dr. Magnuson has developed a website to proved education and training for long-term care workers and administrators: The Long Term Care Mental Health Series. He received his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, completed a Resident and Geriatric Fellowship at Creighton-Nebraska Psychiatry Residency Program.
Mike Steele - Education
Mike Steele serves as the Vice President of Administrative Services for the Mid-Plains Community College (MPCC) overseeing the business office, human resources, information systems, and budget. His previous roles were at MPCC as the Area Business Officer and Senior Accountant at RJ Meyer & Associates, LLC in North Platte. He holds a Bachelors in Accounting and Business Management from the University of Nebraska-Kearney, and a Master of Professional Accountancy from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Brian Adams - City Impact, Tax Revenues, and Economic Development
Brian Adams serves as the Chief of Staff at Omaha Public Power District (OPPD), following his role as Programs and Planning Manager in the Financial Service business unit. Previous professional experience includes Deloitte Global focusing on process improvement, process automation, organizational realignment, and project execution; and serving as an international consultant for Booz Allen Hamilton in support of the U.S. Department of Defense. He holds a Bachelors Degree in History and Computer Applications from the University of Notre Dame, and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of Maryland.
How It's Done: Public Private Partnerships
Kyle Arganbright - City of Valentine
Kyle Arganbright is the co-founder and Executive Vice President of Sandhills State Bank, overseeing the development of technology, real estate, and marketing functions of the bank. He serves as mayor of Valentine and is also co-founder of Bolo Beer Co. Kyle graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, as well as the Colorado Graduate School of Banking.
Nate Wyatt - City of Gothenburg
Nate Wyatt is a Certified Financial Planner, serving as the Investment Officer, Financial Advisor, at the Investment Service Center at Flatwater Bank of Gothenburg. He Holds a Bachelors Degree in Finance, Business Administration and Management from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Tom Shoemaker - Pinpoint Communications
Tom Shoemaker is the President of Pinpoint Communications, Inc. His previous roles at Pinpoint included Executive Vice President and Chief Regulatory Officer. Tom serves as a board member on the Cambridge Economic Development and the Nebraska Broadband Task Force. He earned a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration and Management from Ashford University.
Pat Pope - Nebraska Public Power District
Pat Pope is the former President and CEO of Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD), based in Columbus, and currently serves as Chairman at Large Public Power Council. He began his 40-year career at NPPD as an Electrical Engineer, holding various positions, including Vice President of Energy Delivery, then Vice President & Chief Operating Officer. He earned a Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Nebraska-Kearney.
Digital Inclusion & Needs Assessment, Broadband Mapping, & The Toolboxes Available
Brent Comstock - BCOM Solutions
Brent Comstock is an entrepreneur and rural advocate from Nebraska. He is the CEO & Founder of BCOM Solutions, the digital communications agency for rural campaigns and organizations. His previous role was as Principal, Chief Operating Officer at Change Ventures. He received a Bachelors Degree in Business - Marketing and Religious Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill while dual enrolled at Duke University's Robertson Scholars Leadership Program.
Anna Read - Pew Charitable
Anna Read is the Senior Officer, Broadband Access Initiative at the Pew Charitable Trusts. Her previous roles include Senior Program Development & Research Associate of the American Planning Association, Project Manager of the MoBroadbandNow, Missouri's NTIA-funded State Broadband Initiative Program, and Project Manager of ICMA. She earned a Bachelors Degree in Growth and Structure of Cities at Byrn Mawr College and a Masters in City and Regional Planning at Cornell University.
Andy Pollock - Rembolt Ludtke, LLP
Any Pollock serves as a Lobbyist and Lawyer from Rembolt Ludtke of Lincoln, with a focus on strategic government relations, transportation law, and energy and utility law. He previously served as the Executive Director, General Counsel for the Nebraska Public Service Commission. He has a Bachelors in Journalism, News-Editorial Journalism, Political Science, and English, earning a Juris Doctor degree of Law, all from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Oliver Borchers-Williams and Michael Dwiggins - Lead for Nebraska Broadband Fellows
Michael Dwiggins is the Broadband Action Team Coordinator at the Southeast Nebraska Development District (SENDD), serving as an AmeriCorps Fellow with Lead for Nebraska. He graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a Bachelors of Arts degree in History and Political Science