Lead Tennessee Radio

Upcoming 2024 TNBA Convention & Showcase

The annual TNBA Convention & Showcase will be here before we know it! What changes have been made and what can attendees expect from the 2024 convention? Charlie Boring, this year’s convention committee chair, joined the show to tell us all about it.  The convention is June 4-6. Register today at www.tennesseebroadband.com/events. 

Thoughts from an Engineer – Celebrating Engineers During National Engineering Week

National Engineers Week is Feb. 18-24. To celebrate, Matthew Boynton, engineer at BTC Fiber, joined the podcast to tell us about his journey to telecom engineering, and to help our listeners understand how engineering impacts every area of our daily lives.

Utilizing $813 million to Connect Tennessee

Paige Shapiro, Tennessee’s federal program officer, gives our listeners a BEAD status update, including Tennessee’s required filings and an estimated timeline for the disbursement of the state’s $813 million allocation.

Connecting ISPs, Real Estate Agents and Homebuyers with Fiber Homes

Connecting to homebuyers can be a difficult task for broadband marketers. Thankfully, it is a lot easier with Fiber Homes — an online service that real estate agents can use to inform their clients about houses that have fiber internet and point them directly to the local ISP for service.  Kaleigh Cox, director of marketing at DxTel, tells our listeners about Fiber Homes on this podcast episode.

SkillsUSA, Preparing the Future Workforce, With Joe Marco

Students from Motlow State Community College's SkillsUSA chapter have won both national and state competitions in several categories, including telecommunications-related fields. Joe Marco, instructor at Motlow, discusses the benefits of SkillsUSA and how local broadband providers can prepare the future technical workforce of America. Joe Marco is also a cybersecurity research engineer at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

Lead for America, With Cadie Bergan

Lead for America’s mission is “to build a leadership force of moral, dynamic and locally rooted leaders committed to serving the communities they call home in every corner of this country.” Cadie Bergan, senior recruitment and selection manager, gives an overview of Lead for America, a nonprofit organization that connects volunteers in service opportunities across the country.

Preview of the 2023 Fall Conference & Supplier Showcase

Tyler Campbell, executive director of the Kentucky Rural Broadband Association, joined the podcast to discuss the upcoming 2023 Fall Conference & Supplier Showcase from October 10-12. You can register for the event at https://www.tennesseebroadband.com/events/kta-tnba-fall-conference-supplier-showcase-2/.

Making a Positive Impact Through Community Grants, With Lea Ann Gore

When dollars budgeted for marketing were not going to be used during the early months of the pandemic, Twin Lakes decided to repurpose that money for grants in the communities they serve. Four years later, Twin Lakes has awarded a quarter of a million dollars to local organizations that make positive impacts in the community. Lea Ann Gore, marketing and sales manager, joined the show to discuss how the program works and the benefits seen through the program.

A Conversation with the New TNBA President

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.

Increasing Sustainability and Efficiencies with Precision Agriculture, With Lori Duncan

Lori Duncan, associate professor at the University of Tennessee, discusses how precision agriculture increases efficiency and sustainability on Tennessee’s farms. Of course, none of this would be possible without access to reliable internet!

An Overview of Broadband Labels, With Guy Benson

Guy Benson, policy director in regulatory affairs at JSI, discusses the importance of broadband labels and gives guidance on how broadband providers can prepare for the FCC’s requirement of the labels in the coming year.

A 2023 Look into Smart Rural Communities, With Laura Withers

Laura Withers, Vice President of Strategic Communications at NTCA—The Rural Broadband Association, discusses the perks of being designated as a Smart Rural Community and how members can leverage the designation to benefit their community.

Cultivating a Culture of Excellence, With Kristin Burdette

Kristin Burdette, customer experience supervisor at Loretto Telecom, explains her vision to consistently deliver excellent communications to employees and the community.

How Funding Champions Digital Literacy

Taylre Beaty, Tennessee's Broadband Director, discusses how the state can effectively use broadband grant funding to make the biggest impact in both infrastructure and adoption across the state.

Implementing BEAD and Digital Equity Programs in Tennessee

Paige Shapiro, Tennessee’s federal program officer for the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment and Digital Equity Program, discusses how these programs aim to ensure all people and communities have the skills, technology and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of the digital economy.

Connecting Business Leaders and Policymakers at the Tennessee Business Forum

The Tennessee Business Forum encourages engagement and collaboration between the state's business leaders and national policymakers. Members of the forum come from a diverse background, which strengthens the forum's ability to facilitate conversations about national issues. Executive Director Bess McWherter and Brad Bishop of The Ingram Group joined the podcast to discuss the mission, successes and future of the forum.

4-H Teens Teaching Digital Literacy to Help Close the Digital Divide, With Dr. Daniel Collins

4-H State Extension Specialist Dr. Daniel Collins joined the show to discuss how 4-H is training teenagers in Tennessee to help close the digital divide by teaching computer skills to adults. The teenagers will co-teach with other teenagers or 4-H agents to teach adults basic computer skills, such as internet safety, shopping online, or video calling.

Preparing Students for Careers in Telecommunications, With Shirley Brown-Harrison

The telecommunications industry is growing, and more people are needed to meet workforce needs. Shirley Brown-Harrison, a senior instructor at the Tennessee College of Applied Technology at Hohenwald, discusses how TCAT is preparing students for telecommunications careers. Focusing on three learning objectives, Brown-Harrison's team ensures the students are prepared for industry careers. Those objectives are: 1. Teach fundamentals and teach them well. 2. Help students develop criti...

2022 KTA/TNBA Fall Conference and Showcase with Tyler Campbell

Register for the conference at https://www.tennesseebroadband.com/events/kta-tnba-fall-conference-supplier-showcase/. 

Preview of the 2022 Annual Convention and Showcase

To register, please visit https://www.tennesseebroadband.com/events/tennessee-broadband-association-2022-annual-convention-showcase/. 

A Look into the TNBA’s Past Successes and Future Possibilities

On this special episode of Lead Tennessee Radio, Government Affairs Director Levoy Knowles takes the hot seat and is interviewed by Stephen Smith and joined by the new TNBA Executive Director, Carrie Huckeby, making her first appearance on the podcast. They talk about their new roles at the TNBA and how the necessity of splitting the role of Executive Director into two separate roles only reflects the massive growth the association has had over the years.

The ‘Your Vote Matters’ Program, With TN Secretary of State Tre Hargett

The Tennessee Broadband Association is proud to welcome Secretary of State Tre Hargett to “Lead Tennessee Radio.” On this episode, Levoy Knowles and Kim Adkins sit down with Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett to learn more about how leveraging the power of the internet has been essential to help more voters understand the importance of participating in the elections and making their vote count.

Tennessee’s Broadband Mapping Project, With Chip Spann

Chip Spann, Vice President of Engineering & Technical Services at Connected Nation, joins Levoy Knowles for the latest episode of Lead Tennessee Radio. Chip explains how Connected Nation is helping providers bring broadband services to unserved areas by facilitating the creation of a more accurate service coverage map to help fill the digital divide.

The Five Levels of Leadership with Jeff Raver

The Tennessee Broadband Association is proud to welcome Jeff Raver, founder and president of Begin to Win, to “Lead Tennessee Radio.” Jeff talks to Andy Johns directly from the TNBA conference and shares his wisdom about the five different leadership levels and which level everyone should strive to achieve.

Increased Funding Propels Broadband Development In Rural Communities, With Rod Ballard

Rod Ballard, principal at Jackson Thornton, talks about increased optimism as more funding opportunities have been propelling the expansion of fiber broadband across the nation.

TNBA 2021 Annual Convention and Showcase

The TNBA Annual Convention and Showcase begins June 1, and in this episode of Lead Tennessee Radio Levoy Knowles and Chris Townson discuss the strong speaker lineup at the upcoming event.

The Importance of Public-Private Partnerships in Deploying Fiber, With Chris Townson

The Tennessee Broadband Association is proud to welcome DTC Communications Chief Executive Officer Chris Townson to “Lead Tennessee Radio.” Townson discusses how three recent grants totaling almost $5.9 million allow DTC Communications to build fiber to about 4,000 premises that have previously been unserved.

Crystal Ivey and Sammie Arnold of the TN Dept. of Economic and Community Development

The Tennessee Broadband Association is proud to welcome State Broadband Director Crystal Ivey and Assistant Commissioner of Community and Rural Development Sammie Arnold with the Department of Economic and Community Development to the latest episode of “Lead Tennessee Radio.” They discuss Gov. Bill Lee’s $200 million pledge to expand rural broadband and the state of broadband in Tennessee.

Lisa Cope, General Manager & CEO of Ben Lomand Connect

Lisa Cope joins the Tennessee Broadband Association for the latest episode of “Lead Tennessee Radio.” In the first episode of 2021, Cope discusses the “Virtual Living Room®” project, which provides a space for veterans in Van Buren County to access telehealth appointments through the Alvin C. York VA Medical Center in Murfreesboro. The project was made possible by an FRS grant and a partnership with American Legion Post 207 in Spencer.

Rep. Mark White, Chairman Tennessee House Education Committee

Tennessee State Rep. Mark White (R-Memphis) was Levoy Knowles’ recent guest on “Lead Tennessee Radio.” Rep. White, who has served House District 83 in the Tennessee General Assembly since 2010 and is chairman of the House Education Committee, talked about the importance of broadband as the state works to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shirley Bloomfield, CEO, NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association

The Tennessee Broadband Association is proud to welcome Shirley Bloomfield, chief executive officer of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, to “Lead Tennessee Radio.” In this episode, Bloomfield discussed federal broadband legislation and efforts to keep rural America connected through the ongoing pandemic and beyond.

#21 Mark Patterson, CEO of HTC

CEO Mark Patterson discusses HTC's work to extend broadband to its service area and become one of the first rural telcos to have a 100% fiber network. Patterson also discusses the company's response to the Covid-19 outbreak and recent severe weather.

#22 Bob Mouser, VP, General Manager Hometown Services for Ritter Communications.

Bob Mouser is VP, General Manager Hometown Services for Ritter Communications. In this episode, Mouser discusses Ritter's work to extend broadband in its service area. He also discusses the company's response to the Covid-19 outbreak and recent severe weather.

#20 Johnny McClanahan, CEO, NCTC

CEO Johnny McClanaha discusses NCTC's response to the Covid-19 outbreak and recent severe weather. He also discusses the company's work to extend broadband in its service area.

#19 Chris Townson, CEO, DTC

CEO Chris Townson discusses DTC's response to the Covid-19 outbreak and recent severe weather. He also discusses the company's work to extend broadband in its service area.

#18 Charlie Boring, Genreal Manager, BTC Fiber

General Manager Charlie Boring discusses BTC's response to the Covid-19 outbreak and recent severe weather. He also discusses the company's work to extend broadband in its service area.

#17 Bruce Mottern, Manager of State Government Affairs, TDS Telecom

Bruce Mottern, TDS Manager of State Government Affairs, discusses the company's response to the Covid-19 outbreak and recent severe weather. He also discusses the company's work to extend broadband in its service area.

#16 Jason Shelton, General Manager, Loretto Telecom

General Manager Jason Shelton discusses Loretto Telecom's response to the Covid-19 outbreak and recent severe weather. He also discusses the company's work to extend broadband in its service area.

#12 William Bradford, President and CEO of United Communications

President and CEO William Bradford discusses United Communications' response to the Covid-19 outbreak and recent severe weather. He also discusses the company's work to extend broadband to its service area.

#13 Jonathan West, CEO of Twin Lakes

CEO Jonathan West discusses Twin Lakes' response to the Covid-19 outbreak and recent severe weather. He also discusses the company's work to extend broadband to its service area.

#14 James Garner, Vice President of Operations, TEC

#15 Lisa Cope, CEO of Ben Lomand Connect

#11 Bill Franklin, CEO of Scott County Telephone Cooperative

CEO Bill Franklin discusses Scott County Telephone Cooperative's response to the Covid-19 outbreak. He also discusses the company's work to extend broadband to its service area.

#10 Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver

“Lead Tennessee Radio”features Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver Lancaster lawmaker discusses importance of broadband access for education While speaking with Tennessee Broadband Association Executive Director Levoy Knowles for “Lead Tennessee Radio,” State Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver said broadband access is vital for schools in rural Tennessee. Weaver, R-Lancaster, is a member of the Education Committee, K-12 subcommittee, Transportation Committee, and the Safety and Funding subcommittee.  A ...

#09 Sen. Jack Johnson, Senate Majority Leader

“Lead Tennessee Radio”features Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson Franklin lawmaker discusses broadband funding for rural Tennessee Tennessee Sen. Jack Johnson discussed the importance of funding broadband expansion in rural Tennessee and other issues lawmakers will address this legislative session for the latest episode of “Lead Tennessee Radio.” Johnson, R-Franklin represents Williamson County in the State Senate, where he also serves as Majority Leader. He is the first vice c...

#08 Sen. Ken Yager, Senate Majority Caucus Chairman

“Lead Tennessee Radio”features Senate Majority Caucus Chairman Ken Yager Kingston lawmaker discusses importance of broadband access to rural Tennessee Tennessee Broadband Association Executive Director Levoy Knowles interviews state Sen. Ken Yager for the latest episode of “Lead Tennessee Radio.” Yager, R-Kingston, is the majority caucus chairman and represents Campbell, Fentress, Morgan, Rhea, Roane, Pickett and Scott counties. On the TNBA podcast, Yager discusses the challenge...

#07 Sen. Ferrell Haile, Senate Speaker Pro Tempore

The latest episode of “Lead Tennessee Radio” features an interview with state Sen. Ferrell Haile. On the TNBA podcast, Haile, R-Gallatin, discusses his upbringing and how it shaped his life and prepared him for politics. He also discusses challenges facing rural Tennessee and the importance of having access to high-speed internet. Haile represents Sumner, Trousdale and part of Davidson counties in the Tennessee Senate. He serves on a number of committees, including Finance, Ways &...

#06 Rep. Ron Gant, Assistant House Majority Leader

"Lead Tennessee Radio" features Assistant House Majority Leader Ron Gant  Leadership member discusses broadband and its impact on rural development Tennessee Broadband Association Executive Director Levoy Knowles interviewed Assistant House Majority Leader Ron Gant in the most recent episode of “Lead Tennessee Radio.” Rep. Gant, R-Rossville, represents Fayette, McNairy and part of Hardeman counties. He serves on a number of committees, including the Finance, Ways, & Means Committ...

#05 Rep. William Lamberth, House Majority Leader

House Majority Leader William Lamberth discusses broadband impact "Lead Tennessee Radio" tackles issues facing state in latest episode Tennessee Broadband Association featured House Majority Leader William Lamberth in the latest episode of “Lead Tennessee Radio.” Rep. Lamberth, R-Portland, serves a portion of Sumner County and sits on a number of committees, including the Judiciary Committee; Finance, Ways, & Means Committee; Government Operations Committee; Select Committee on R...

#04 Rep. Jeremy Faison, House Caucus Chairman

"Lead Tennessee Radio" features House Leadership Member Jeremy Faison  GOP Caucus chairman discusses economy and technology’s role in rural development  “Lead Tennessee Radio” features House Republican Caucus Chairman Jeremy Faison in the latest episode of the Tennessee Broadband Association’s podcast. Rep. Faison, R-Cosby, represents Cocke and parts of Jefferson and Greene counties. He was first elected to the General Assembly in 2010. He was later elected by GOP members to lead...