Welcome
Garden City Parlor AB (and all Tuesday sessions)
Bridger Mahlum, BroadbandMT General Manager

An Active 2025 for NTCA
NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association is a leading voice for our industry at the federal level and one of our trusted partners in policy development. Mike Romano joins us to report the latest on key telecommunications issues, from USF reform to BEAD, that are driving the day in Washington.

Mike Romano serves as the Executive Vice President of NTCA, overseeing the association’s public policy, government affairs, and business development initiatives, the educational and community-focused mission of the Foundation for Rural Service, and several areas of internal operations including member engagement and information technology. Before joining NTCA, Mike served as the founding vice president and general counsel of GTT Communications, held a variety of positions with AOL and Level 3, and practiced in the telecom, media, and technology group of a Washington DC law firm.

Montana Economic Outlook
All facts and no bull. Anyone who has seen his presentations knows it, and attendees always come away having learned something new. Pat Barkey, the former director of the University of Montana's Bureau of Business and Economic Research, will square his proven modeling with today's uncertain economic climate and will share what it means for Montana's telecommunications industry.

Patrick Barkey has recently stepped down after 16 years as Director of the Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) at the University of Montana. He continues to serve as Director of Research at BBER. He has been involved with economic forecasting and policy research for more than 40 years, in both the private and public sectors. He has authored studies on energy development, tourism, labor markets, tax policy and international trade. He is the Past President of the Association for University Business and Economic Research (AUBER), a national organization of regional business research centers founded in 1947.

The BBER is the preeminent business research center in Montana. Housed in the College of Business, for 46 years it has produced the Montana Economic Outlook Seminar, a half-day program devoted to the national, state and local economic outlook that now is held in 10 cities across Montana in February. Barkey also hosts the Montana Economic Minute, a daily podcast on economic issues that has aired on radio stations throughout the state since 2008.   He holds a B.A. and a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Michigan

A Word from Senator Daines’ Office remote
Making his tenth Annual Meeting appearance, Joshua Sizemore joins us with an update on U.S. Senator Steve Daines' work to advance broadband connectivity in Montana.

Joshua Sizemore serves as an advisor to Senator Daines. Born and raised in Billings, Montana, his legislative portfolio includes Tech/Telecommunications, Commerce, Science, Energy and Natural Resources.

Peter Hawkes – Hailey, ID, USDA-RD-RUS-Telecom; General Field Representative for: Montana and Idaho (+/- WY&UT) 

Peter was born and raised in Seattle, WA, graduated from Central WA University with his B.S. in Construction Management. He is a tenured Telecommunications Executive and Professional for 30 years that includes business consulting as well. Notably he has architected, launched and operated very large programs for AT&T, Apple and a host of other wired and wireless companies across the country including closing many strategic acquisitions. 

In his 5th year, Peter joined RUS in July 2021, and represents Rural Utility Service Telcom borrowers, grant awardees and customers across all of Montana, Idaho including portions of Wyoming & Utah who benefit from Public-Private partnerships. 

“I think it’s amazing the possibilities RUS program funding can bring to rural areas in support of their development and growth.” Peter is honored to be a part of RUS-Telecom’s mission to enhance the quality of life and improve economic opportunity in Rural & Tribal communities in Montana and the other areas he serves. 

Peter resides in Central Idaho enjoying everything the outdoors provides, Fly fishing, golf, tennis, hiking, mountain biking, skiing and doing the same with friends and family. He has coached and grown many teams in business and in sports. Peter also is engaged directly/in-directly in philanthropic efforts as time allows within his community.

BEAD in the Home Stretch: an Update from the Montana Broadband Office
After logging countless hours launching the program and adapting to changing federal guidance, the MBO will be on the cusp of requesting final approval of its proposed BEAD awards by the time our Annual Meeting convenes. Director Misty Ann Giles and senior advisor Dan Salomon will share an update and reflect on the journey that has been the Montana BEAD program.

Misty Ann Giles currently serves as the Director of the Montana Department of Administration and state’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) under Governor Greg Gianforte. She also leads the state’s ConnectMT broadband program. She was appointed in December 2020 and confirmed during the 2021 and 2025 legislative sessions. 

In her role as Director and COO, Giles oversees government operations that provide business services to other state agencies. In addition, her purview includes broadband, information technology, the regulation of banks and other state financial institutions and operates to provide a wide range of additional services to citizens, businesses, and other government entities. While serving as Director, Giles has worked to streamline agency operations and continues to lead renewed efforts to bring better and more efficient services to Montanans. She also serves on the Executive Committee as an At-Large Director for the National Association of State Chief Administrators (NASCA). 

Giles has over a decade of state and federal government experience. Before assuming the COO and Director role, Giles served as the Chief of Staff for Rural Development at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Before joining USDA, Giles served in leadership roles under former governors Sonny Perdue and Nathan Deal in the state of Georgia. 

Giles holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of San Diego and a Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts from Georgia Southern University.

Demystifying Compensation: Leveraging every employee conversation to maximize recruitment, retention, loyalty, and performance. In today’s competitive employer landscape, compensation packages are multifaceted and often complex. Set the stage for being an employer of choice and leverage those recruitment compensation conversations, and all employee conversations, on the investment you make in employees with wages and benefits. With existing employees often shopping wage and opportunities, this presentation will also explore the importance of investing in your workplace culture and living it out loud in your community at large. Jane Wigen, Director of Member Relations - NTCA

Jane Wigen is the Director of Member Relations at NTCA. She joined NTCA as a member relations manager in 2008 and serves the states of Alaska, Hawaii, Montana and North Dakota. She serves as the primary facilitator and educator for the comprehensive retirement and financial wellness seminars offered through NTCA Benefits.

“Cyber For Real": What REALLY happens in the event of a claim? Easy to forget until it happens to you, a cyber attack can gut an otherwise top-functioning business. Telcos purchase insurance in the event of the unthinkable but can always be more prepared. Peter Elliot and Sean Benefiel of Telcom Insurance Group take us inside the claims process to help us better understand the procedures in the aftermath of an attack.

Peter Elliot, President & CEO of Telcom Insurance Group, has 38 years in the insurance industry; 25 with TIG. He has worked for mutual, stock, and captive insurance companies and has authored all or parts of 15 different insurance policy types. He has been a certified CPCU since 1990, and is a frequent speaker at various telecom trade events on risk and other insurance matters.

Sean Benefiel, Account Executive at Telecom Insurance Group, has been with TIG since 2022, and serves the greater northwestern US. He enjoys getting to know his clients and their organizations in order to better understand their needs. Sean is from Mulvane, KS and lives with his wife, Kylee, along with their two dogs and one cat. This will be his 4th BroadbandMT Annual Meeting.

Showcase Topics Discussion
Bridger Mahlum and Charlotte Hilton, BroadbandMT COO