Arlington, Va. (February 26, 2019)—To help deliver the greatest benefit to its members, NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association today announced several strategic changes to the association’s leadership, including additions to the executive team and the promotion of senior staff overseeing member services, communications, industry affairs, internal operations and the Foundation for Rural Service.
Effective March 1, Director of Member Services April Irwin will take a larger role as Vice President of Member Engagement overseeing member services, training and development, meetings and marketing. Director of Human Resources Jennifer Jushchuk will align NTCA HR and technology capabilities as Vice President of Technology, Talent and Consulting Services, and Communications Director Laura Withers will focus on strategic external communications as Vice President of Strategic Communications overseeing member communications and public affairs activities.
Irwin, Jushchuk and Withers join the existing executive team of Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield, Senior Vice President of Industry Affairs and Business Development Michael Romano, Chief Financial Officer Mike Viands and Senior Vice President of Benefits and Technology Les Greer. Lori Fischetti will transition into a new role as Vice President of Member Experience, with a focus on highly personalized member engagement, reporting to Irwin.
The philanthropic arm of NTCA, the Foundation for Rural Service (FRS), will receive new leadership under Vice President of Legal Jill Canfield. FRS will also pursue a new executive director. Senior Regulatory Counsel Brian Ford will continue to support regulatory and industry affairs and add more member-facing duties as Director of Industry Affairs.
“It has long been one of my primary goals to position NTCA and its members for success in the future,” said Bloomfield. “This refreshed organizational structure will help ensure we are putting our resources where they can deliver the best member value while continuing to develop our staff talents and assets.”
NTCA currently has 59 employees serving members from its Arlington, Va., headquarters, 92 employees serving in the Asheville, N.C., benefits operation service center and nine field staff.
