Internet for All: Oklahoma Local and Tribal Nation Coordination Workshop

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration, American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Broadband Office, Association of County Commissioners of Oklahoma, and Oklahoma Municipal League invite you to the Internet for All: Oklahoma Local and Tribal Nation Coordination Workshop in Oklahoma City, OK!

This day long workshop will bring together critical stakeholders in Oklahoma from the federal, state, tribal, and local governments, industry, and other key partners to discuss coordination on broadband efforts as the state prepares to receive significant broadband funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Connecting all people in Oklahoma to affordable, reliable high-speed internet is critical to our economic stability and this event will provide an opportunity for us to discuss ways we can work together to efficiently and effectively utilize these federal dollars to the maximum extent.

Additional Details

There is no fee to attend this event.

Snacks and lunch will be provided.

Final Agenda

Moderator: Mike Fina, Chair, Oklahoma Broadband Governing Board and Executive Director, Oklahoma Municipal League

8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.: Welcome

• Governor Kevin Stitt

• April McClain-Delaney, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Communications, Department of Commerce, Deputy Administrator, NTIA

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.: Overview of Federal Broadband Programs

Representatives from the federal government will provide in-depth overviews of and answer questions about current broadband programs and how to participate in these programs.

Moderator: Edyn Rolls, Director of Broadband Strategy, Oklahoma Broadband Office

• Courtney Dozier, Deputy Director, BEAD Program, NTIA

• Sean Spivey, Chief of Staff and Senior Counsel, Broadband Data Task Force and Associate Bureau Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, FCC

• Lee Martin, General Field Representative/Oklahoma, Telecommunication Program/Rural Utilities Services

• Christopher L. Collins, Field Staff Branch Chief, Telecommunications Program/Rural Utilities Service

10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.: Break

10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.: Tribal Coordination

Panelists will discuss the challenges Tribal communities face and how the state can ensure they are coordinating with small and large Tribal Nations. It will also look at ways Tribal Nations and local governments can work together to ensure connectivity for their communities.

Moderator: Cliff Agee, Undersecretary, Subsidiary Services and Support, Chickasaw Nation

• Rob Griffin, Tribal Broadband Coordinator, Choctaw Nation

• Micah White, CEO, MCN Tribal Utility Authority

• Dr. James Trumbly, Director of Osage Nation Broadband Department, Osage Nation

• Josh Snow, President, Trace Fiber Networks, LLC

• State Senator Roger Thompson

• Cody Holcomb, City Manager, Ada

11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.: Digital Access Challenges and Solutions for Oklahoma

There is no one size fits all approach to addressing the unique digital equity challenges in the state. Panelists will discuss some of the critical challenges communities face with regard to broadband adoption and use and how to focus efforts to address those challenges.

Moderator: Brian Whitacre, Member, Oklahoma Broadband Expansion Council

• Natalie Currie, Deputy Director, Oklahoma Department of Libraries

• Travis Noland, Director of Public Relations & Communications, Cherokee Nation

• Jim Meek, District 9 Director, Oklahoma Farm Bureau

• State Representative Jeff Boatman

12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.: Break for Lunch

12:45 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.: Keynote Address

• Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell

1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.: Telehealth

This panel will feature examples of how communities are incorporating telehealth access into their community planning. Panelists will talk about the intersection of broadband with the delivery of healthcare services, needs of the community, and digital learning and skills training.

Moderator: Kirk Martin, Interim Executive Director, Oklahoma Broadband Office

• Lance Frye, MD, Surgeon General, Muscogee Nation Department of Health

• Sean Voskuhl, Oklahoma State Director, AARP

• Cassie Spindle, Deputy Director, Oklahoma Department of Libraries

• Doug Olivo, Director, Oklahoma Complete Health

• Tim Davis M.S., Telehealth Manager, Center for Rural Health, Oklahoma State University and Executive Director, Telehealth Alliance of Oklahoma, and Oklahoma Director, Heartland Telehealth Resource Center

2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Oklahoma Mapping Update

This panel will focus on data and mapping efforts and tools that can assist communities in identifying challenges and opportunities in the development of a broadband plan and connected community and a discussion on the map challenge.

Moderator: Mike Fina, Chair, Oklahoma Broadband Governing Board and Executive Director, Oklahoma Municipal League

• William Johnson, Carpe Geo Evangelist, Applied Geographics, Inc.

• Sarah Morris, Senior Advisor, NTIA (virtual)

• Sean Spivey, Chief of Staff and Senior Counsel, Broadband Data Task Force and Associate Bureau Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, FCC

3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.: Break

3:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.: State Grants: Requirements to Apply

This session will focus on how community members can participate in the state’s broadband grant programs and apply for grants. It’ll also highlight resources that are available to communities at the state and federal level.

Moderator: Sonja Wall, Senior Director of Operations, OneNet

• Edyn Rolls, Director of Broadband Strategy, Oklahoma Broadband Office

• Kevin Blake, Federal Program Officer for Oklahoma, NTIA

4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.: Local Coordination: How to Get Involved

The state’s broadband success will rely on strong stakeholder engagement and input. This session will feature speakers discussing how everyone can have a voice and share needs, challenges, and solutions to specific broadband access problems across the state. This feedback will help shape the State’s 5-Year and Digital Equity plans.

Moderator: Edyn Rolls, Director of Broadband Strategy, Oklahoma Broadband Office

• Rob Griffin, Tribal Broadband Coordinator, Choctaw Nation

• Bailey Walker, President, American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Oklahoma

• Chris Schroder, Executive Director, Oklahoma Association of County Commissioners

• Ernie Martens, Mayor, City of Sallisaw

4:30 p.m. : Closing