The role of Blandin Foundation’s Broadband Strategy Board is to provide strategic guidance, counsel and quality control to the Blandin Community Broadband Program.
Specifically, through their participation on the Strategy Board, members:
- Review and approve grant applications for ratification by Blandin Board of Trustees
- Help identify and vet program priorities and opportunities
- Communicate rural perspectives and experience on broadband access and adoption to statewide policy makers and advocates
- Provide counsel on program design and development
- Provide expert counsel on program implementation
- Raise strategic “industry” issues that should be considered and taken into account by the initiatives
- Help connect foundation staff with the broadest possible range of partners and stakeholders, including industry, policy makers and influencers, and rural advocates
| Broadband Strategy Board Members | |
| Jacki Anderson*, Economic Dev. Officer Office of Representative Collin Peterson |
Scott Marquardt, Vice President Southwest Initiative Foundation |
| Joe Buttweiler, Patnership Dev. Manager CTC – Consolidated Telecommunications Company |
Betsy Olivanti, Business Consultant Northeast Minnesota Small Business Development Center |
| Stacy Cluff, Supervisor, IT & Network Security Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative |
Dan Pecarina, President and CEO Hiawatha Broadband Communications |
| Angie Dickison*, Manager Office of Broadband, MN Dept of Employment and Economic Dev |
Lisa Peterson-de la Cueva, Dir. of Education & Training, Community Technology Empowerment Project, St. Paul Neighborhood Network |
| Mark Erickson, RS Fiber Cooperative Board of Directors Retired Administrator & EDA Director, City of Winthrop |
Erik Simonson MN State Senate |
| Nancy Hoffman, Executive Director Chisago County HRA EDA |
Rich Sve, Commissioner Lake County |
| Jon Linnell, Executive Director North Region Health Alliance |
Jim Weikum, Mayor of Biwabik Executive Director, Arrowhead Library System |
| Marc Johnson, Executive Director ECMECC – East Central MN Educational Cable Cooperative |
Madonna Yawakie, President Turtle Island Communications |
| Bree Maki*, Broadband & Southern Field Rep. Office of Senator Smith |
* Non-voting, advisory member