Harvesting Connectivity
By Carrie Huckeby
The year is winding down, but our work is far from over. With winter preparation, community and company events, and the holidays rolling in, we reflect on recent announcements and events that allow us to harvest connectivity and remind us that the seeds we sow now have a direct impact on the future of broadband.
The Fall Conference and Supplier Showcase was an absolute hit with amazing conversations, innovative technology displays, and a wonderful time was had by all. We are grateful for our alliance with KYRBA, whose members didn’t hold back in sharing ideas, innovation, and the willingness to collaborate.
While we celebrate our shared progress, we also pause to honor an individual whose leadership has shaped the entire industry.
After 36 years of service and significant accomplishments, Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, has announced her retirement. This is a big deal. She will continue offering her wisdom and guidance until early spring. I recommend turning to her for every bit of inspiration and expertise she offers.
She’s become 1 of the most influential people in Washington, D.C. To know Shirley is to know her warmth and her genuine concern for others, especially those in underserved areas. Shirley’s treatment of everyone, from executives to entry-level employees, echoes her demonstration of caring and advocating for citizens of rural communities.
Come spring, her absence will be felt deeply, but her legacy will live on. The industry is a better place because of her, which was her ethos all along. We wish her all the best in enjoying her retirement. She’s certainly earned it.
In that spirit of care and collaboration, October is Co-op Month, made especially prominent by the United Nations’ designation of 2025 as “International Year of Cooperatives.” Even our members who technically aren’t cooperatives still embody the values of democracy, advocacy for their members, education for all, and contributing to their communities in truly meaningful ways. As our members plan celebrations, we reflect on the 7 cooperative principles and what we can learn from them.
Happy fall to all. Here’s to harvesting connectivity for the rest of the year.