Wednesday, November 9, 1–2 p.m. ET

Does NTIA’s BEAD Program Fit Your Co-op’s Broadband Plans?

Broadband access can be as important as reliable electricity, and yet many communities are still waiting for high-speed internet options. To solve the problem, a growing number of cooperatives are either actively delivering broadband services to their members or exploring the business case around those services. The federal government has several programs available to provide broadband grants in underserved areas. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program has been allocated $42 billion to expand high-speed internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs.

BEAD will be a highly competitive program, and winning is not a guarantee. Join Teresa Ferguson, senior director of Broadband and Infrastructure Funding with NRTC, and Brian Sloboda, director of Utility Research & Policy with CFC, as they discuss the ins and outs of BEAD, how it works and what it takes to be a partner with your state to receive funding. This webinar will help put your system on the path to winning.

SPEAKERS

Teresa Ferguson

Senior Director, Broadband and Infrastructure Funding, NRTC

Teresa Ferguson is the senior director of Broadband and Infrastructure Funding for NRTC. Prior to joining NRTC, Ferguson was the director of Federal Broadband Engagement for the Colorado Broadband Office (CBO) where she supported stakeholders’ successful engagement in state and federal broadband funding programs, while actively participating in NTIA’s State Broadband Leadership Network and working with Colorado’s congressional senators to advocate for and secure federal broadband funding through block grants to states. Prior to joining CBO, Ferguson worked for public utilities commissions of Missouri, Washington and Colorado where she held national leadership positions, engaging with the FCC, USAC, USDA and NARUC, advocating on behalf of state telecom and broadband policy interests. Ferguson spent 17 years in the private sector deploying broadband networks for schools, libraries and tribal nations funded through the federal E-Rate program.

Brian Sloboda

Director of Utility Research & Policy, CFC

Brian Sloboda is the director of Utility Research & Policy at CFC. He joined CFC in October 2022. Sloboda is focused on identifying emerging opportunities to assist cooperatives in maintaining their place as the trusted energy provider. Prior to joining CFC, Sloboda held senior positions at NRECA. As NRECA’s director of Consumer Solutions, he led initiatives on emerging consumer technologies and distributed energy resources. Sloboda has helped cooperatives conduct pilots of new and emerging technologies such as smart thermostats, power theft detection, solid state transformers and advanced HVAC systems. Sloboda has provided strategic advice to cooperative boards and staff on new business opportunities and is a frequent conference speaker and facilitator. He has been the subject matter expert on electric transportation, smart homes, grid modernization and emerging business models. Sloboda has degrees in political science and speech communication from Fairmont State College.

About Information

About the CFC Financial Webinar Series

Sponsored by CFC, the Financial Webinar Series is for electric cooperative managers and staff that are also members of CFC. Topics for this monthly series are determined by members and their current financial needs and direction.

Specifics about the CFC Financial Webinar Series

Sessions are conducted once a month on the second Wednesday of the month. Each session starts promptly at 1 p.m. Eastern Time, lasts about 60 minutes, and includes time for participants to ask questions of the webinar speakers and guests.

Speakers will include not only CFC personnel but also experts from around the country such as electric cooperative managers, investors from Wall Street and experts in the fields of energy, management and finance.

Registration

The Financial Webinar Series sessions are free to all staff of CFC member cooperatives. However, advance registration is required to ensure everyone a seat at the webinar. If you believe the topic will be of interest to others at your cooperative—including members of your board of directors—feel free to send them the link to this page or the registration page so they can register as well and join the discussion.

CPE Credits

Participants are eligible to earn one Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Credit for Specialized Knowledge. If you would like to learn more about CPE credits offered for the webinar series, visit the CFC Webinar Series page.

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