Arlington, Va., (May 1, 2025)—NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association this week presented two members of Congress and two broadband executives with awards for their leadership in advocating for and advancing policies that support community-based broadband providers and the communities they serve.
2025 Rural Broadband Champion of the Year Award: Reps. Zach Nunn (R-Iowa) and Angie Craig (D-Minn.), were honored individually for their leadership in supporting policies that enable community-based providers to build, maintain and sustain networks that empower their communities to thrive.
Excellence in Advocacy Award: Denny Law, CEO of Golden West Telecommunications (Wall, S.D.), was honored for the significant role he has played in advocating for the rural broadband industry over the past two decades. Through his many leadership roles over the years, including as a longtime member and former chair of the NTCA Industry and Regulatory Policy Committee, Law has always strived to build consensus and represent the industry as a whole. He is well-respected both amongst his peers as well as with policymakers and has testified before Congress as an industry expert numerous times.
Grassroots Advocate of the Year Award: Fred Johnson, CEO of Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative (Rainsville, Ala.), was honored for the critical role he has played in NTCA’s advocacy efforts over his career. For approximately two decades, Johnson has served as the Alabama state coordinator for the NTCA Legislative and Policy Conference, building strong relationships with his members of Congress and helping his peers do the same. He testified before the U.S. Senate on the Farm Bill in 2023 and, as a member of the NTCA Board of Directors, helped guide the association’s policy priorities, serving as board chairman in 2021.
“On behalf of NTCA and its members, I thank this year’s award recipients for their tireless work on behalf of rural communities and promoting better connections across the country,” said NTCA CEO Shirley Bloomfield.
