A Conversation with the New TNBA President
Episode Description
Carrie Huckeby sat down with Greg Smartt to discuss how the TNBA continues to advocate for broadband expansion in Tennessee. They also discuss some of Greg’s goals as the board president for the next year.
Transcript
Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability.
Intro: The following program is brought to you by the Tennessee Broadband Association. Lead Tennessee Radio, conversations with the leaders moving our state forward. We look at the issues shaping Tennessee’s future: rural development, public policy, broadband, healthcare and other topics impacting our communities.
Carrie Huckeby: Hello, I’m Carrie Huckeby, the executive director of the Tennessee Broadband Association. My guest this morning on Lead Tennessee Radio is Greg Smartt. Greg is Ben Lomand Connect’s CEO, and Ben Lomand is located right here in our hometown of McMinnville, Tennessee. Earlier this month, Greg stepped into the role of board president for the Tennessee Broadband Association, and he’ll work in that role until June of 2024. And he also recently chaired the 2023 Annual Convention Committee, and I’m glad to report that went very well. We had over 350 attendees and about 70 vendors showcased. So it went great. And we’re also happy to have that behind us, I’m sure. But thanks for joining me this morning, Greg.
Greg Smartt: Yes. Thank you for reaching out to me, and I’m excited. This is probably my second or third podcast since I’ve taken the lead of CEO here at Ben Lomand. So pretty exciting things going on here.
Carrie Huckeby: Well, you’re an expert then, because –
Greg Smartt: Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. Yeah.
Carrie Huckeby: Well, for those that don’t know much about Ben Lomand Connect in our audience, tell us about your company. Tell us where you serve, how many you serve, number of employees. Just an overview of the company.
Greg Smartt: Sure, a little bit about me. I am 39 years here at Ben Lomand. I started out on the ground and worked myself up through the ranks. I worked out on the lines to install and repairman to outside plant management, to project manager and now a CEO. And what a great career it has been for me and my family, and I’m very blessed. Ben Lomand covers Warren, White and Grundy counties. We also cover two-thirds of Van Buren County with our build outs going on in Coffee and Cumberland counties over the next few years. We have most of those counties covered, as you know, in our ILEC area. We also have small footprint in Franklin and Marion counties as well. We have about 33,000 customers with broadband, TV and phone service and system security and managed IT. Over 85% of our service area is built out in fiber. We currently have 150 employees, 10 temps and a little over 200 and some contractors. In 2024, Ben Lomand Connect will be celebrating our 70th year, so we’re excited about that for sure.
Carrie Huckeby: Wow, 70 years. That’s hard to believe. But speaking of years, did it feel like 39 years, or did it pass really quick?
Greg Smartt: Well, it really passed really quick, especially when you look back from then to now. You know, when you’re sitting in that position 39 years ago, you’re going, man, I can’t wait. I can’t wait to get there. And then when you get here, you’re saying, “Boy, I wish I could go back and do things different.” And so I learned a lot. The stuff that I do today and the things that we do here at Ben Lomand is because of the things we learned over the years from the people that taught us and mentor us. So I’m excited to be able to bring that to Ben Lomand.
Carrie Huckeby: Yeah. I’m sure you remember the days like I do that we were really excited about getting caller ID and all the exchanges or having call waiting, you know?
Greg Smartt: I was thinking about, I was going on back from eight party lines. When I started, we had eight party lines, and we went from rotary to touch-tone. And then we had to go through and change out the phones for all that. So yeah, the dial up, the dial up to DSL 1.5, DSL 756k. I mean we’ve seen it all. I’ve done a speech not too long ago to the chamber here, and one of the topics was about change. How do you accept change in your organization? And I said, I don’t know nothing more than change. Because everything I’ve ever done in my 39 year career, and my personal life, has been change. So if I didn’t have change in my life, I’d probably wouldn’t work as well.
Carrie Huckeby: Well, if you don’t like change, telecommunications is probably not the industry you need to be in, right?
Greg Smartt: Absolutely. Absolutely. And you know, today we went from copper to fiber. And people say, “How long will fiber last?” Well, that’s an unknown question. Today, we’ve got some that’s 45 years old, and we’re still running high speed circuits across it. So really, that question is unknown. But the technology changes on fiber through our cards and through our lasers and things like that. So the technology will just keep growing, and hopefully, fiber will take it on in.
Carrie Huckeby: Normally, I say it will last longer than I’m going to.
Greg Smartt: That’s probably a true statement for me.
Carrie Huckeby: Well, as the president of TNBA, and I know you have to have a crystal ball sitting on your desk as the CEO. But looking at the next 12 months and, of course, this was an exciting week with the BEAD announcement and Tennessee, you know, being allocated the $813 million. Of course, I know there’s a lot to that, and there’ll be a lot of questions and a lot of conversation. But over the next 12 months, you know, what are going to be the top priorities for the association this year, and, you know, what’s on your radar?
Greg Smartt: Well, I guess number one, Carrie, would be to make sure that we have a voice there on Capitol Hill, and to make sure that we’re listened to, and we’re being able to give suggestions, and just be part of the activity going forward with this $813 million. Our number one goal for all of us is for everyone to have the best broadband service in the United States, for sure. Tennessee, I feel like Tennessee is leading that way, and it is because of the organization that we’re part of, the TNBA, and the leaders that have set that forward. And our I would say our goals is to continue down that path for at least the next 12 months, and especially getting through this BEAD funding and making sure that all customers are served with the very best broadband that can be put out there.
Carrie Huckeby: True. I know there’ll be a lot of inquires and conversations and listening sessions and things like that to make sure that the members, you know, are involved and are able to give feedback. You know, and as you said, Tennessee does rank in the top three states, I think, for broadband coverage and expansion. And many times when we go to meetings, we hear people say, “Well, you know, Tennessee is doing it really well. We need to look at them and, you know, see what they’re doing.” And of course, you know, that always makes us proud. And we love hearing that, that we are getting it right. But definitely, like you said, our voice on Capitol Hill and those partnerships, that collaboration has really been important. And so what role do you think the association has played in that over the last 5 or 10 years? I mean, how did we get, of course, Mr. Knowles is a huge part of that over the last ten years. But how do you think we got from where we were to where we are today? I mean, what work did it take?
Greg Smartt: It took everyone getting on the same page. TNBA was a big part of that. Levoy being the leader of that at the time, and then coming in as a lobbyist. The presidents of the TNBA have really played a big important role bringing fiber, bringing broadband out of the, I guess, out of the woods, out of the dark, into the light. And Jonathan West and Chris Townson and all of those guys that I’m following have set those standards. And we’ve all spent tireless days and nights on the Capitol and trying to make sure our voice was being told and heard. And it’s a never ending thing. And I credit to all those guys that has done that and has got us to where we’re at today. It’s took a lot of work.
Carrie Huckeby: It has. And I’ve been proud to watch it over the last many years and be able to participate in it just a little bit now. How important do you think our days on the Hills are and getting in there and telling that story? It plays a big role, don’t you think?
Greg Smartt: We have made some huge leaps and bounds over the last 3 or 4 years, Carrie. And I think that the TNBA plays a huge role to get Tennessee into the top three of states for broadband. I think that we are a major player in that. And it takes the work of all of us making that happen. And I’m very grateful and thankful that I have got a group that is really intelligent in that part, and I get to be part of that.
Carrie Huckeby: Yeah. I think our group together just makes us all look a little better, doesn’t it?
Greg Smartt: Well, it makes us as a whole, It makes us complete.
Carrie Huckeby: Yeah.
Greg Smartt: And when we all work together, I see us working more with power companies today, too, than we did in the past. And I think the urgency of getting broadband out there is on everybody’s radar right now. Not just us. We’ve always done broadband, but I think getting it better, getting it out there, and educating everybody about the do’s and the don’ts. What is best, and what’s not. I think that’s huge.
Carrie Huckeby: What works and what doesn’t.
Greg Smartt: That’s correct. What works and what does not work.
Carrie Huckeby: And I know on top of the work with the association that Jonathan also serves, we’re very happy to have him representing our region on the NTCA board of directors. And also I think Chris Townson serves on the Government Affairs Committee with NTCA, so that keeps us connected on that national federal level as well. And of course we also go to Washington for the NTCA L&P Conference, which is another layer of that advocacy and education that the association takes part in. So you see that as important as well, right?
Greg Smartt: Absolutely. We just got back not too long ago from there. And I’m going to probably say I’ve been doing this for three years, so I’ve made three trips to Washington so far. This one here was probably the best – probably one of the best ones that we’ve been at for me personally. We got to interact with our representatives and our senators, and we probably got more talking points this time than ever. I feel like being as long as I’ve been doing it, for sure. I was really I was really proud.
Carrie Huckeby: I felt like it was good too. It was only my second time to the L&P Conference, but I felt like it was really good because we had, like you said, those one-on-one with those legislators, and all of you did such a good job with our talking points and storytelling and what we do. So I was very pleased just to be a part. I didn’t do any talking, thank goodness. But I got to observe, and it was great.
Greg Smartt: Well, yeah. And as a CEO, we get to spend time with our representatives and senators every once in a while. But just to go on their playground, just to go to where they’re having to beat the gavel and things. It was a very exciting and just getting to be part of that and how part of their time getting part of their time frame was just so exciting. And I won’t have to say, this was the best one ever.
Carrie Huckeby: Yeah, well.
Greg Smartt: I have to say that.
Carrie Huckeby: It was good, and no complaints about being in Washington DC during beautiful weather, for sure.
Greg Smartt: Beautiful. Absolutely. It’s a great place. I think everybody should visit that at least once in their lifetime.
Carrie Huckeby: They should. Well, this time next year, you know, let’s say we do another podcast. What do you hope that you’ve accomplished as president or the association may have accomplish this year? Anything particular?
Greg Smartt: Well. No, not really. More of us uniting together and probably moving out of our comfort zones and doing more talks with other companies and spreading the message and just building our friendship and building our partnerships as we go. I look for that to be the needle moving that we’re going to be looking for, and everybody else is going to be looking for, to move the broadband across the state of Tennessee. So I was very excited about our convention. Like you said, there was 350 people attended. That’s huge and over 70 vendors. I know we pretty much run out of space there. We’re going to have to make more room for next year, I hope. And that was some exciting times. There were a lot of new faces, a lot of new exposures. And I would just like to see that continue to grow and to strengthen. And us still stay in that top three, if not number one, broadband providers in the state of Tennessee.
Carrie Huckeby: Yeah, it’s good to have a goal. I mean, you know. Yes. And I was happy with the convention, too. We had, as you said, many new members, new faces and old friends. But I have to ask, do you think there is a comfort zone in the broadband industry?
Greg Smartt: I see a difference in it than what it was three years ago.
Carrie Huckeby: Yeah.
Greg Smartt: I see more people talking, more things being done as partnerships. And I think the best is yet to come.
Carrie Huckeby: Yeah. Collaboration.
Greg Smartt: Yes, I do. I feel like that we’re all finally getting on the same page.
Carrie Huckeby: Cool. Well, Greg, thank you for talking with me. I look forward to working with you. Of course, we’ve worked together before, many years ago. We won’t talk about all the years we have together.
Greg Smartt: It’s great. Yeah, it’s great. Me and you are also got a little side gig there at the local part.
Carrie Huckeby: That’s right.
Greg Smartt: So we’re spending a lot of time together.
Carrie Huckeby: That’s right. Right. We serve on our local Industrial Development Board, and so we live in the same town. And also we tend to see each other.
Greg Smartt: You are my customer, Carrie.
Carrie Huckeby: That’s right. That’s right. Yeah, that’s right. I have your gig service.
Greg Smartt: That’s right.
Carrie Huckeby: You’re so good, Greg, at drawing that out of it.
Greg Smartt: I was going to plug there, okay?
Carrie Huckeby: Yeah, here’s a plug. I have Ben Lomand Connect gig service. I work right here at home on the farm. And it would not be possible without it, so.
Greg Smartt: Life changes right in front of our eyes.
Carrie Huckeby: It does. It does. But anyway, I look forward to working with you, supporting our members, planning the joint convention coming up in October, and whatever else comes our way during your term. So, you know, as I said, there’s this little thing called BEAD that we’ll be watching closely this year, I’m sure.
Greg Smartt: Absolutely. I couldn’t do it without you, Carrie I do appreciate everything you do. And without you, TNBA, it has to have structure, and you’re there for that, and I appreciate your help.
Carrie Huckeby: Well, thank you. Well, my guest is been Greg Smartt, CEO of Ben Lomand Connect. And you’ve been listening to Lead Tennessee Radio, produced by the Tennessee Broadband Association. Cooperative and independent companies connecting our state’s rural communities and beyond with world class broadband.