TNECD Welcomes Broadband Fellow

The American Connection Corps, a locally rooted program administered through Lead For America, has welcomed a broadband fellow serving at the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. 

As a broadband fellow, Samuel Douglas assists TNECD in work pertaining to the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program.

“Lead For America has been great,” Douglas says. “I have already learned so much about all the resources going into broadband nationwide! I learned about the opportunity from TNECD after I inquired about potential careers in the broadband arena.”

Douglas is from Winchester and attended Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in interactive digital design and development.

“Before my time at TNECD and Lead For America, I worked on political campaigns, did freelance website development and graphic design, and had a small WISP, or wireless internet service provider, in Winchester,” he says.“Being a former small WISP operator, I’ve always been interested in rural internet developments, thus leading me to this opportunity. It is exciting to be part of something that will bridge the broadband gap in my hometown and home state!”

ACC Senior Recruitment Manager Cadie Bergan connects people like Douglas with local community organizations to help address important issues.

“We build infrastructure and capacity at the local level while cultivating the leaders in rural and legacy cities across the country. Members are placed with a local host site organization where they build critical capacity, attract resources and activate community engagement across the following key areas: economic opportunity, health and social capital, agriculture and natural resources, and broadband and the digital divide.”