The Rural Telecom Congress (RTC) has been a dedicated advocate for creating sustainable and affordable broadband ecosystems for rural America. Our Board of Directors would like to recognize Scott DeGarmo, CEO of Broadband Communities, for his dedication, contributions, and vision in building a stronger America through leveraging broadband technologies in all our communities. We are saddened by his passing as the country has not only lost a strong and innovative advocate, but we have lost a great colleague and friend.
RTC had the pleasure of working in a productive partnership with Scott's Broadband Communities Summit and Broadband Communities Magazine. Beginning in 2010, the annual Rural Telecom Congress has been co-hosted with the annual April Broadband Communities Summit in Dallas and now in Austin, Texas. Scott was instrumental in the creation of Broadband Communities linking vendors, government agencies, economic development and rural America into one of the best annual conferences focused on these important issues. Broadband Communities has established a strong brand recognized across the United States. "Scott was an easy person to talk to and a good sounding board," said Galen Updike, president of RTC from 2010-2013, the time that RTC began co-hosting events with Broadband Communities. "He adopted good ideas, such as the transition from the name 'Broadband Properties' to 'Broadband Communities.'" "Scott tried to bring the people to join with the vendors," said Jane Smith Patterson, president of the RTC from 2013-2015. "It made what the vendors were doing more real, and it got the people in rural broadband more in touch with the vendors." "The world of broadband has lost a giant with the passing of Scott DeGarmo," said Drew Clark, who was elected president of the RTC in April 2015. "Broadband Communities has been instrumental in the current high profile of rural broadband issues." |
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May 2016
AboutThis is an area where RTC members post information about RTC happenings, along with technology efforts in their states as well as commentary and insight into national policies that effect rural communities. Categories |