Connecting Worlds: Bridging the Digital Divide with Broadband E43
Arizona’s Rural Broadband Initiative endeavors to expand broadband services in underserved rural areas across the state. The initiative envisions a future where every Arizonan, regardless of their location, is empowered by high-speed internet, breaking barriers and fostering a more inclusive and connected society.
The October 2023 episode of the Arizona Technology Council’s AZTechCast podcast featured experts including Kelly LeBlanc from IP Infusion, Seth Haller from EPS Global and Sandip Bhowmick from the Arizona Commerce Authority. These leaders joined Steve Zylstra, president and CEO of the Council, and Karen Nowicki, president and owner of Phoenix Business RadioX, in sharing plans that are already underway to bridge Arizona’s digital divide and the challenges that still exist.
In this hour-long informative and dynamic discussion, the panel of three experts discussed the challenges of providing broadband access and infrastructure to Arizona’s diverse populations. States like Arizona with rural communities spread out over a large land mass historically have faced challenges in broadband deployment. Often these underserved communities are in outlying areas that the private sector can’t economically service. Initiatives such as the Rural Broadband Initiative can help fill in the budget gap, and help solve the access problems that the open market might be slow to address. Arizona is not unique in addressing these access challenges, and ongoing, these three and other stakeholders across the state are hoping to work more closely with these initiatives.
The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state’s leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona’s economy. The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to advance the overall economy: recruit, grow, create – recruit out-of-state companies to expand their operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to grow their business in Arizona and beyond; and partner with entrepreneurs and companies large and small to create new jobs and businesses in targeted industries.
Sandip Bhowmick currently serves as the Vice President of Infrastructure and State Broadband Director at the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA). He is responsible for overseeing the planning, development, and expansion of broadband infrastructure throughout Arizona.
Prior to his current role, Sandip served as the Assistant Broadband Director at the ACA, further strengthening his expertise in the field. His extensive experience includes working with renowned telecommunications service providers such as AT&T and Verizon, as well as industry-leading telecommunications software and equipment manufacturers like Nokia and Ericsson.
Moreover, Sandip has made valuable contributions to satellite communication startups, nonprofit organizations, and local and state governments, assuming diverse roles such as Chief Technology Officer, Network Engineer, Systems Engineer, Solutions Architect, Broadband Consultant, and Government Affairs Manager, among others. Additionally, Sandip proudly served in the US Army.
He holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Wichita State University, highlighting his strong academic foundation in the field.
Connect with Sandip on LinkedIn.
IP Infusion manufactures open network software and solutions for carriers, service providers and data centers. With hundreds of customers and thousands of deployments, IP Infusion is a market leader in Network Operating Systems.
Our flagship software platform OcNOS® allows network operators to disaggregate their networks, streamline operations, and reduce Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Network OEMs may also disaggregate network devices to expedite time to market, offer comprehensive services, and achieve carrier-grade robustness.
IP Infusion is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., and is a wholly owned and independently operated subsidiary of ACCESS CO., LTD.
As Chief Marketing and Product Officer (CMO), Kelly LeBlanc is responsible for global marketing and product management at IP Infusion. Kelly is a seasoned Silicon Valley marketing executive with 25 years of experience across multiple technology markets.
Most recently Kelly was the CMO of Pica8 where she managed global marketing for the company’s enterprise and data center software solutions. Prior to Pica8, she managed global marketing and business development for 6WIND, including driving the company’s transition to vRouter solutions.
Prior to 6WIND, Kelly was the Head of Worldwide Marketing for A10 Networks when the company became the fastest growing Silicon Valley networking company prior to Initial Public Offering (IPO). She also held marketing positions at Fortinet and VERITAS Software.
Kelly began her career at several top ten Public Relations agencies for Hewlett-Packard and Sun Microsystems. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy from Cal Poly University in San Luis Obispo, California.
EPS Global is a T1 Distributor of IT Components focused in the Networking Infrastructure Space, Some of the manufactures they distribute are Finisar, Edgecore, UFI Space, Garland, Amphenol and are the leader in Disaggregated Whitebox Networking with Partners like IP Infusion, They are also involved in SONIC deployments, they are members of OCP
They are heavily involved with Open Wi-Fi with I/O by HFCL and Edgecore and are a Member of TIP.
Seth Haller has 30+ years of experience in sales and business development, with a background in Senior Sales Management, Senior Business Development, and Solution Development.
He has achieved significant revenues in excess of $100M per year and exceeded budgets of 200% to plan.
Seth has earned a number of awards for work in Sales, including the Excalibur Award for 2004-2005 and the Winner’s Circle Award for 2000. He also earned the Pinnacle Club Award for work at Pinacor.
He served in the U.S. ARMY for six years, as a Military Police officer and K-9 Handler. He also completed the Rio Salado Organization Behavior TQM and completed a 7-course plan with a certificate in organizational behavior.
Seth has over three decades of experience with executive level presentations, managing and training direct reports, building high level business plans, TCO based sales, relationship-based sales, Strategic Planning, Financial planning, creating and defining value propositions, developing and executing successful marketing plans, conducting market research, high level negotiation.
Seth currently runs the Southwest, West and PAC Northwest for EPS.
Follow EPS Global on LinkedIn.
About Your Hosts
Steve Zylstra serves as president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council, a role he assumed in 2007. He is responsible for strategy, operations, finance and policy development. Zylstra is a vocal spokesman for the value technology can provide in raising social and economic standards in Arizona.
Zylstra serves on numerous councils, committees and boards, was named “Leader of the Year, Technology,” by the Arizona Capitol Times, and “Most Admired Leader” by the Phoenix Business Journal. In addition, he was awarded an honorary doctorate of science in technology from the University of Advancing Technology in Tempe, Ariz.
Zylstra earned a bachelor’s degree in automotive engineering technology from Western Michigan University.
Karen Nowicki is a successful author, speaker and the creator of Deep Impact Leadership™ and SoulMarks Coaching™. She is a two-time recipient of the prestigious national Choice Award® for her book and personal development retreat. Karen was crowned the first-ever “Mompreneur of the Year” Award in 2010 for the southwestern states. She was recognized for her leadership, business acumen, and work-life balance.
Karen has been an expert guest on regional TV and radio shows, including Fox Phoenix Morning Show, Sonoran Living, Good Morning Arizona, The Chat Room, and Mid-Day Arizona. She has been a regular contributor to many print and online magazines – publishing articles and blogs for business and education.
In addition to working with private coaching clients, Karen is also the Owner & President of Phoenix Business RadioX. The Business RadioX Network amplifies the voice of business – serving the Fortune 500,000, not just the Fortune 500. Phoenix Business RadioX helps local businesses and professional associations get the word out about the important work they’re doing to serve their market, profession, and community.
Of all the experiences Karen has had the privilege of participating in over her vast career, she shares that Phoenix Business RadioX is a pinnacle adventure!
Connect with Karen on LinkedIn and follow Phoenix Business RadioX on Facebook and Instagram.
Leslie Cooper Marquez is a dynamic marketing professional with over 17 years of broad-based marketing, public relations and advertising experience in both in-house and agency environments.
Originally from Birmingham, AL, Leslie has honed her expertise across diverse sectors, including non-profit performing arts, legal marketing, mortgage technology, and residential mortgage marketing.
Leslie has been an integral part of the Arizona community for the past 5 years. Most recently, she served as the Marketing Director for Scottsdale-based mortgage technology firm, focusIT, Inc., and previously as the Director of Marketing for Ballet Arizona.
Beyond her professional commitments, Leslie is an active member of the community. She serves as a Sustainer with the Junior League of Phoenix, volunteers with the Distinguished Young Women of Arizona scholarship program and is an alumna of the esteemed Valley Leadership Accelerate class of 2019.
In her spare time, Leslie shares her passion for fitness as a dedicated barre instructor at TenPoint5 Central. Above all, she cherishes her roles as a devoted mother to a young son and a loving wife to her husband, David.
About Our Sponsor
The Arizona Technology Council, Arizona’s only statewide organization serving the technology sector, fosters a climate of innovation to enhance technology in Arizona.
A trusted resource in strengthening Arizona’s technology industry, the Council proactively eliminates impediments that companies face, accelerates the entrepreneurial mindset in the state’s expanding innovation ecosystem, and works to create a destination for companies to be, thrive and stay.
Follow Arizona Technology Council on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
Born in Phoenix, Arizona, Bianca Buliga is a trilingual first-generation American of Romanian ethnicity. A marketing professional with experience in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors, Bianca currently works as Director, Marketing & Communications for the Arizona Technology Council.
