Urban, Rural, and Remote Broadband Access in Arizona
Omar Alam, Viasat
Omar Alam is a Member of Technical Staff at Viasat, a global communications company that believes everyone and everything in the world can be connected. They’re developing the ultimate communications network to power high-quality, secure, affordable, fast connections to impact people’s lives anywhere. Tempe, AZ hosts Viasat’s Space and Commercial Networks division and a satellite manufacturing facility, which is designing and building the most powerful satellite broadband constellation to date.
Originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Omar Alam moved to the Valley in June 2017 after graduating from Cornell University with a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Physics. In addition to his primary job — system-level testing and analysis of space antennas — Omar quickly immersed himself in the business community in Arizona. Beginning with STEM outreach, Omar founded Viasat’s K-12 outreach program, bringing Viasat onto the stage as a high-tech company supporting education. Now, Omar is focusing on creating a Rural & Remote Broadband Stakeholder Network and educating the public about the power of satellite broadband.
Connect with Omar Alam on LinkedIn, and follow Viasat on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Sarah Shepis, Viasat
Sarah Shepis is a Materials/Mechanical Engineer at Viasat, a global communications company that believes everyone and everything in the world can be connected. They’re developing the ultimate communications network to power high-quality, secure, affordable, fast connections to impact people’s lives anywhere. Tempe, AZ hosts Viasat’s Space and Commercial Networks division and a satellite manufacturing facility, which is designing and building the most powerful satellite broadband constellation to date.
Sarah Shepis graduated from the University of Arizona in 2017 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Materials Science and Engineering. For the past two years, she has worked at Viasat Inc. as a materials/mechanical hybrid engineer. Her work focuses on optimizing the design of commercial, military and space technologies used to connect the world.
Sarah stays involved with her alma mater as the project lead for a UA Engineering Senior Design Project which will deploy an Off-Grid Community Wi-Fi Terminal capable of providing internet and VoIP services to an underserved community. Sarah feels passionately about contributing to a positive social impact as well as advancing modern technology.
To find balance in the life of an engineer, Sarah enjoys the great outdoors, being Viasat photo ambassador, avid STEM outreach volunteer and unofficial yoga
teacher for other engineers.
Connect with Sarah Shepis on LinkedIn and Instagram, and follow Viasat on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Melissa Armas, AZ Blockchain Initiative
Melissa Armas is Co-Founder of AZ Blockchain Initiative, a Tech-Ed Nonprofit focused on the social impact of decentralized technology, empowering communities by delivering access to knowledge and opportunities. They achieve this mission using a three-pronged approach, via online/offline workshops (Tech Pathways), a decentralized mesh network (Project Phoenix) to deliver them to underserved communities, and outreach (AZ Tech Brief). Melissa learned to appreciate diversity and collaboration when she worked in operations management for multinational hotels and resorts around the World. In 2017, when she wanted to crossover into technology she noticed how little was done to help adults transition into that field, that experience, and her background prepared her to launch AZBI.
Connect with Melissa Armas on LinkedIn, and follow AZ Blockchain Initiative on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
