ProInfoNet Expands Team With 2 New Hires
Mission Broadband has hired Amy Anderson as director of account management for its sister company, HealthConnect Networks. In addition, Nathaniel Gass has joined Mission Broadband as a business analyst and network technician. Anderson will be responsible for customer relations and business development. PHOTO / COURTESY HEALTHCONNECT NETWORKS WEBSITE Amy Anderson She brings more than 24 years of account management and fundraising experience to this new role. Prior to joining HealthConnect Networks, Anderson served as director of gift planning at the Salvation Army for nearly a decade. Anderson has previously worked at organizations including Ovation Fundraising Counsel LLC, the Cancer Community Center, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and United Way of Greater Portland. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of New Hampshire and a master’s degree in social work from Rutgers University. Prior to joining Mission Broadband, Gass was a freelance software QA tester and the community development director for Polar Ace, an electronic sports team. He is actively pursuing his master’s degree in computer science at Arizona State University. “It is an exciting time as we grow our team,” said Jim Rogers, founder of Mission Broadband and HealthConnect Networks. “The need for broadband for families, hospitals, businesses and communities has never been more intense. With the addition of Nathaniel and Amy, we are well-positioned to meet that need.” Mission Broadband is an independent consulting firm based in Bangor. It works to expand broadband access and helps communities obtain funding to build networks through public-private partnerships. (Original Article: Mission Broadband expands team with 2 new hires | Mainebiz.biz)
PRESS RELEASE: ProInfoNet Announces Expansion
Bangor, Maine (July 2, 2024) – As demand for access to high-speed Internet continues to grow, ProInfoNet, a leader in strategic IT consulting across New England, is pleased to announce the addition of Nathaniel Gass to its broadband consulting team and the addition of Amy Anderson to its healthcare connectivity team. ProInfoNet is an independent consulting firm based in Bangor, Maine, working to improve connectivity across industries, helping organizations access navigate the evolving tech landscape and deliver reliable, future-ready infrastructure. Nathaniel Gass has joined ProInfoNet as a Business Analyst and Network Technician. Previously Gass was a freelance Software QA Tester and was the Community Development Director for electronic sports (esports) team, Polar Ace. He is currently pursuing his master’s degree in Computer Science at Arizona State University. Amy Anderson has joined ProInfoNet’s healthcare connectivity team as Director of Account Management. In this role, Amy will be responsible for customer relations and business development. Amy comes to ProInfoNet from the Salvation Army, where she served as Director of Gift Planning for nearly a decade. She brings more than 24 years of account management and fundraising experience to this new role. She previously worked at organizations including Ovation Fundraising Counsel LLC, the Cancer Community Center, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and United Way of Greater Portland. “It is an exciting time as we grow our team,” said Jim Rogers, founder of ProInfoNet. “The need for broadband for families, hospitals businesses, and communities has never been more intense. With the addition of Nathaniel, and Amy we are well-positioned to meet that need.” About ProInfoNet ProInfoNet is a Maine-based IT consulting firm that helps businesses navigate evolving technology challenges. Leveraging 30 years of consulting experience, ProInfoNet has served over 300 companies in saving more than $200 million on their network infrastructure, healthcare connectivity, and municipal broadband projects. Whether you need assistance optimizing IT infrastructure, improving operational efficiency, or preparing for future growth, our team is committed to delivering strategic solutions that make an impact. For more information, visit https://pinonline.com.
ProInfoNet’s Mission Broadband Announces Expansion of Leadership Team
Bangor-based pioneer names Jason Gay, vice president and general manager BANGOR – As the demand for access to high-speed Internet continues to grow, Mission Broadband, a leader in strategic broadband planning for New England communities is pleased to announce the expansion of its leadership team, with the promotion of Jason Gay to vice president and general manager. Jason, an industry veteran with nearly three decades of experience, joined Mission Broadband in 2020 and served as a network engineer and project management expert. In this new position, he will execute on the vision and strategy put forward by Jim Rogers, Mission Broadband founder, and leverage his business leadership experience and his in-depth understanding of network design and implementation to oversee broadband infrastructure consulting. “We’re so pleased that Jason has joined the leadership team,” said Rogers. “In his three years with us, Jason has seamlessly executed dozens of highly-complex projects on tight deadlines, with an unwavering dedication to excellence. His technical expertise and his ability to engage and empower teams have been great assets to us. As we continue to deliver on our mission, helping communities navigate the complexities of bridging the broadband gap, Jason is the ideal individual to lead that process.” Jason’s promotion brings more depth and rounds out the leadership team, which includes Senior Vice President Trevor Gordon, who manages operations, and Vice President Jeff Rogers, who oversees business development, marketing, and financial management. The new leadership structure better positions Mission Broadband to respond to clients’ evolving needs and build on its success. Before joining Mission Broadband, Jason amassed over 24 years of experience in the telecommunications and service provider industry, specializing in IT, network operations, engineering, senior management, and strategic planning. Mission Broadband is a Maine-based company committed to helping clients across the United States gain insights and solve challenges related to broadband connectivity through our community focused approach and dedication to broadband equity. Mission Broadband serves 530 communities throughout Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. From healthcare and business to education, access to broadband shapes the future of every citizen and we are committed to bringing equitable access to all. For more information, visitwww.missionbroadband.com. (Original Article: Mission Broadband announces expansion of leadership team (bangordailynews.com))
Telehealth in Maine
The use of telehealth became commonplace out of necessity during the pandemic. We’ll learn about the beneficial applications of telehealth to provide remote care to people in Maine, especially those who are in rural areas or cannot travel to a doctor’s office. We’ll also hear what’s being done to ensure that the technology is in place to enable telehealth to reach those who need it. Panelists:Lisa Letourneau, senior advisor, delivery system change, Maine Department of Health & Human ServicesJim Rogers, president of ProInfoNet, working with the New England Telehealth ConsortiumLizzy Mulcahy, primary care nurse practitioner; director, Maine Health Telehealth VIP Caller:Danielle Louder, co-director, Medical Care Development (MCD), Global Health, U.S. Programs; director, Northeast Telehealth Resource Center at MCDSheila Freed, registered nurse; director, School Health program for Avel eCare, based in South Dakota; advises School Telehealth program in Maine (Original Article: Telehealth in Maine | Maine Public )
Commentary: Broadband funding brings lifeline to Mainers most in need
The recent news that Maine will receive $272 million in federal funds to expand broadband is something to celebrate. In a state where 77% of the homes are underserved or unserved, the impact that the ubiquitous availability of affordable, reliable broadband could have for education, health care, job creation and economic growth is nothing short of profound. Because lack of broadband access disproportionately affects the most vulnerable members of our community – including the poor, people of color and residents of rural areas, as well as homebound residents like veterans, seniors and individuals with disabilities – we know that the broadband service that springs to life as a result of this funding will literally provide a lifeline to the people who need one the most. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jim Rogers is founder of Mission Broadband, a Bangor-based consulting firm dedicated to expanding broadband access to unserved and underserved communities. Rogers also founded the New England Telehealth Consortium, a federally funded nonprofit consortium of health care facilities, research institutions and medical specialists in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. This landmark legislation, the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, marks the culmination of a herculean effort that has been five years in the making, and involved the collaboration of dozens of experts, community advocates, lawmakers and my colleagues throughout the industry. Related Maine will get $272 million in federal funds to expand broadband What most excites me about this legislation is not just the availability of the funds, but also the fact that it establishes a new paradigm for bringing broadband service to life: public[1]private partnerships between service providers and federal, state and local governments. A federally designed, locally run competitive bid process, which is open to broadband providers and is technology neutral, can cost-effectively bridge the broadband gap and fully leverage existing infrastructure, while establishing enforceable minimum bandwidth requirements, controlling consumer costs and avoiding unnecessary overbuilding. It can ensure that the process is driven by community leaders who best understand the needs of their residents, businesses and community institutions. These kinds of partnerships have the power to accomplish what neither the public nor the private sector could do alone. Over the past five years, I have been working with lawmakers to refine this proposal. Related Maine plan will use $200 million to expand broadband access, starting where it’s needed most In the decade since I founded the New England Telehealth Consortium, or NETC, which has now supported more than 1,200 rural hospitals, clinics and physicians throughout the region, I have seen just how critical residential broadband access can be. While telehealth systems for hospitals and clinics allow them to share lifesaving information, save millions of dollars and deliver care to people who wouldn’t otherwise access it, the true power of telehealth can’t be unlocked without widespread broadband access at a household level. The ability for doctors to see patients and prescribe medication over video calls has the potential to reduce costs and improve health care access like never before. But without the availability of fast, reliable broadband access for all homes, that potential will remain unrealized. And over the past four years at Mission Broadband, helping 500 communities throughout New England to expand and improve broadband access, I have seen how powerful the connection can be. Working with community leaders from the northernmost tip of Aroostook County to the far reaches of Block Island, Rhode Island, 12 miles out to sea, bringing modern internet speeds to residents and business is the defining characteristic that will determine whether year-round life can continue as it has for generations in any community. I applaud the collaboration that went into bringing this legislation to life, and ultimately bringing Maine the money it needs to get broadband to all. I was honored to be part of this effort. (Original Article: https://www.pressherald.com/2023/10/06/commentary-broadband-funding-brings-lifeline-to-mainers-most-in-need/)
Mission Broadband Helps Block Island Build a Digital Future
Bangor company helps bring Rhode Island’s first municipally-owned broadband network to life Mission Broadband has made history, helping to launch Rhode Island’s first municipally-owned broadband network in the town of New Shoreham on Block Island. The network, called BroadbandBI, will bring modern Internet speeds to the town’s businesses and 1,800 households. Mission Broadband served as project manager and advisor on BroadbandBI, working with the town leaders to identify the project scope, solicit proposals from vendors to build infrastructure and manage the implementation. “Our relationship with Mission Broadband has been foundational. Their work was instrumental in helping us move through this process.” said New Shoreham Finance Director Amy Lewis Land. Up until now, residents of Block Island only had access to unreliable dial-up Internet service, costly satellite service, or mobile hotspots. This often made it impossible for businesses to perform basic functions like processing credit card sales. After the Block Island Wind Farm was built in 2016, New Shoreham town leaders commissioned the development of a fiber optic connection to the island, created on the underwater cables that bring power to the wind turbines. Mission Broadband started working with New Shoreham to use that connection to get broadband service to its Community Anchor Institutions, starting with the medical center and then to the library, public safety complex, municipal offices, and the town’s K-12 school, which serves 130 students from kindergarten to grade 12. In 2021, New Shoreham voters authorized an $8 million bond issue to pay for the installation and administration of a broadband network, which will include 53 miles of fiber cable and 1,800 property connections, with data speeds of 1 gigabit per second (Gbps), and eventually support speeds as fast as 10 Gbps. Installation began in April 2023 and will continue through the fall. Following the success of connecting New Shoreham’s anchor institutions, town leaders tapped Mission Broadband to identify a vendor that could build a locally controlled network that would be affordable, reliable, and scalable, and serve as project manager for the initiative. Mission worked with the town’s broadband committee to design the scope of work for the project, develop a Request for Proposals, and help select a provider. Ultimately the town chose Sertex Broadband Solutions, of Plainfield, Connecticut, to build and manage the network. The impact of the new level of Internet accessibility has been profound, Lewis Land said. “Not having reliable, fast residential and business service was a constraint on what people could do on the island and made it less viable as a year-round community” she said. With the new network, “all of a sudden, we are not lagging behind. It has made the fabric of the community much stronger.” Mission Broadband President and founder Jim Rogers said that the Block Island project is an example of the important work that still needs to be done in rural unserved areas to bridge the digital divide. “We were so honored to be a part of this historic effort and help New Shoreham lay the foundation for a sustainable future. This network helps ensure that year-round and seasonal life on Block Island can continue, just as it has for generations but with the benefit of modern Broadband access,” Rogers said. Mission Broadband is an independent consulting firm based in Bangor, Maine, working to bring equitable broadband access to all by helping communities access funding to build networks through public-private partnerships. The company has worked with over 530 communities nationwide to build broadband networks, which has brought modern internet access to an estimated one-million individuals. (Original Article: Mission Broadband helps Block Island build a digital future (bangordailynews.com))