Curtis Dean Named Executive Director

Community Broadband Action Network co-founder will lead the organization

Curtis Dean, one of three co-founders of the Community Broadband Action Network (CBAN) has been named the organization’s first-ever Executive Director. The CBAN Board of Directors confirmed Dean’s appointment at their May 10, 2024 meeting.

Dean, along with Todd Kielkopf and Jon Willow, founded CBAN in 2018 to facilitate better broadband access and digital equity. With its roots in Central Iowa, CBAN has grown to almost 200 members in 27 states and one province of Canada. In his new position, Dean will focus on membership and funding development, and oversee operations for the nonprofit Community Broadband Action Corp. Kielkopf and Willow will also take new roles, with Kielkopf leading CBAN’s consulting practice and Willow leading its digital equity practice.

Willow, who also serves as CBAN’s nonprofit board Chair, expressed her enthusiasm for Dean’s selection. “Curtis has been instrumental in CBAN’s growth to date, and especially as a connector and amplifier. He’s been central to building our member community one relationship at a time, and we’re excited to see him lead the CBAN organization.”

Dean has been involved in community-first broadband since 1997, when he helped advocate for a municipal broadband utility in Spencer, Iowa. After overwhelming approval from Spencer voters, Spencer Municipal Utilities launched their broadband project a year later. In 2011, Dean became Broadband Services Coordinator at the Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities, where he came to understand the endemic challenges faced by local broadband operators. He established SmartSource Consulting in 2015 to provide advisory services to community-focused broadband providers.
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CBAN’s mission is “Building Broadband Bridges.” Since 2018, CBAN has supported the work of its members, and directly helped over 60 individual communities serving almost a million people as they work towards broadband independence. From locally controlled broadband networks to ensuring every person has the tools, skills, and opportunities they need to succeed in the modern world, CBAN and its members are dedicated to better broadband for all. Learn more about CBAN’s mission and work at https://broadbandaction.com.