Alex Kelley is the Director of Broadband Consulting at the Center on Rural Innovation. His team specializes in helping rural communities get funding to close their broadband gaps, and build public private partnerships that result in world class, affordable, community-driven networks.

Christine is the Senior GIS Analyst on the Community Broadband Networks team. Christine’s work is focused on illustrating and describing Internet availability and adoption across the United States. Her work supports the team’s advocacy and education efforts centered around developing community-owned broadband networks. With over a decade of experience in data and spatial analysis, Christine is proficient in employing diverse tools and methodologies to drive insights and solutions in her field.

Elizabeth is a multidisciplinary data, geospatial, and broadband analyst, whose extensive academic background spans geography, environmental policy and justice, and political science. She holds a Master’s Degree in GIS/Geography from the University of Kansas. Throughout her career, Elizabeth has applied her diverse expertise within the broadband sector, starting as a network designer for a Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) consulting firm. She has played a pivotal role in advocating for and supporting rural electric cooperatives across the United States in their development of FTTH networks. Elizabeth’s professional career has also included serving as a Grant and Funding Data Manager, where she addressed issues of digital inequality and technological disparities, particularly in traditionally marginalized communities. Currently, as the Broadband Program Manager at the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), she continues this work, advising on, guiding, and solving strategic challenges to enhance broadband connectivity throughout the Appalachian region. Her role emphasizes leveraging her geospatial and analytical skills to direct improvements in broadband infrastructure and advocate for equitable access. Elizabeth is an accomplished analyst with a multidisciplinary background in data, geospatial analysis, and broadband technologies. Her educational foundation includes a Master’s Degree in GIS/Geography from the University of Kansas, supplemented by studies in geography, environmental policy and justice, and political science. Elizabeth’s career has been marked by significant contributions to the broadband sector, beginning with her role as a network designer for a Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) consultancy. She has been instrumental in supporting and advocating for rural electric cooperatives across the United States, assisting them in deploying their own FTTH networks. Her commitment to addressing digital inequality has led her to focus on technological disparities affecting traditionally marginalized communities. In her position as a Grant and Funding Data Manager, Elizabeth further honed her expertise in managing data-driven projects aimed at enhancing digital access. Currently, as the Broadband Program Manager at the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), Elizabeth strategically guides efforts to improve broadband connectivity across the Appalachian region. Her role involves advising on policy, guiding development initiatives, and providing expert problem-solving to enhance infrastructure and promote equitable broadband access. Her work is crucial in shaping the future of broadband in one of the most diverse and challenging landscapes in the United States.

Jordan Pittman is a Digital Equity Coordinator with ILSR’s Community Broadband Networks Initiative. He supports the team’s work in promoting access to affordable, high-quality broadband service for all, with a focus on those who face systemic barriers to digital equity. Jordan received a B.S. in Rural Community Development from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and has been interested in ways that public policies affect rural places and structured access to resources.

Nick Pappin is the Assistant Director of the Digital Initiatives Program as a part of the Division of Governmental Studies and Services at Washington State University. He has worked on almost every aspect of IT including small business desktop support, state scale network administration, high performance computing, and cloud scale systems and services. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography from the University of Idaho and specialized in the application of geographic information systems (GIS).