Today, at the NTCA 2025 Fall Conference, NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association CEO Shirley Bloomfield announced that she will retire in March 2026.
In an email and accompanying video about her retirement, Bloomfield said, “Many of you know that I have a creed in leadership, that we all have a finite time to leave our world better than we found it. And part of that recognition is knowing when the time has come for an organization to have fresh leadership, perspective, vision, and a longer runway to get the job done.”
Bloomfield’s message noted her 36 years with NTCA. Her two tenures at NTCA include her current role as CEO, which began in 2010, and an earlier period from 1986 to 2007 as vice president of government affairs and association services. She took that post after graduating from American University with her Master of Public Administration.
In the last year especially, Bloomfield and the NTCA were vocal advocates for both upholding and reforming the Universal Service Fund (USF). The Supreme Court upheld the USF in June.
Last year, Telecompetitor published a four-article series of four interviews with Bloomfield on the USF, the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program, fiber broadband technology, and other industry priorities.
During Bloomfield’s tenure with NTCA, the association created the Foundation for Rural Service, which supports rural broadband providers, consumers, and policymakers with educational tools, products, and programming. As CEO, Bloomfield let NTCA in launching their Smart Rural Community and Gig-Certified programs.
“While I am proud of what we’ve accomplished, I’m even more excited about what lies ahead for this industry. Rural broadband is no longer an afterthought. It’s essential infrastructure, a driver of opportunity, and a national priority,” Bloomfield said in her statement.
“Don’t worry, this is not goodbye yet. I’ll continue to lead in my role for the next several months to ensure a smooth transition and to support the board’s leadership in identifying the next CEO.”
