2024 Oregon Connections Award Winners
The 2024 Oregon Connections Awards are truly one of the highlights of our conference. It is essential that we take the time to recognize the contributions of the outstanding individuals who tirelessly work to improve broadband access, legislative positions, funding, and more. This year’s slate of nominees and award winners is both extensive and diverse, showcasing the incredible talent and dedication within our community. We are honored to share their nominations and extend our heartfelt congratulations to all of our winners
1. Excellence in Telecommunications Applications.
Individual, organization or company that has developed or successfully implemented an innovative telecommunications application that demonstrates standard communications capabilities, scalable solutions to accommodate growth in demand, and/or adaptability to new applications and opportunities.
Awardee: Paul Nolan – Calix
Through a trusted partnership with its customers, Paul and Calix have enabled over 1,600 local Oregon broadband service providers of all sizes to position themselves as trusted technology partners in the communities they serve.
Among Calix’s partners (because of Paul in Oregon) is Hunter Communications. Originally a construction company focusing on fiber deployment in workplaces rather than residential areas, Hunter transformed their business model with Paul & Calix’s assistance. In just three years, they developed a residential market that fosters significant connections across Oregon and northern California. Instead of broadband packages based solely around speed, Hunter offers tailored offerings that focus on community needs like equipping parents with tools to protect their children from social media dangers like cyberbullying and child predation.
Hunter’s partnership with Paul helps them reach their mission to deliver lasting, meaningful connections, with community engagement and support of schools, youth groups, and sports clubs.
Consolidated Business Services (CBS) Oregon has partnered with Paul & Calix for approximately a decade. The region around CBS Oregon’s member companies is experiencing growth, and local telcos understand that merely providing fiber isn’t enough to maintain local residency and economic growth. Not every customer takes advantage of all available services at once, and the ability of Calix to scale ensures that CBS Oregon partners can adopt tools as needed. This flexibility allows these telcos to grow and adapt, aligning with CBS Oregon’s cooperative values.
Paul also collaborates at the municipal level with the City of Ashland, which operates the Ashland Fiber Network, Peak Internet, and Beacon Broadband. The aforementioned comprise only a few of the Paul & Calix’s partners in this area. Paul also continues to be a strategic partner with state and national industry associations, as well as other vendors and members of Oregon Connections.
2. Excellence in Telecommunications Partnerships
Individual that has made a significant contribution or gone beyond the call of duty to advocate for improved access, reliability and affordability, or promotes and accelerates adoption and utilization of telecommunications.
Awardee: Bill Gerski, Vice-President, Sales and Marketing- Beacon Broadband
Bill Gerski is being nominated for his visionary creation and implementation of the Beacon Broadband Connected Seniors Program. This initiative, launched in Gold Beach, Oregon, exemplifies the power of partnerships in telecommunications by educating seniors about internet and online technology through community collaboration.
Program partners include:
Soroptimist Club of Gold Beach, Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative, Inc., CoBank, Calix University, Umpqua Bank, Curry Health Foundation, Gold Beach School District
The Connected Seniors Program is designed to bridge the digital divide between generations. By pairing high school students with seniors, the program aims to teach:
- Digital Literacy: Basic computer skills, safe internet practices, and effective online communication.
- Cyber Security: How to protect personal information and avoid online scams.
- Practical Applications: Using the internet for telehealth, online banking, accessing government resources, and staying connected with family and friends. It teaches why seniors should get connected, stay connected, enhances digital literacy, increases access to information. This program empowers seniors and exemplifies how strategic partnerships can create meaningful, lasting impacts on communities.
3. Excellence in Telecommunications Policy and Legislation
Individual that has made a significant contribution or gone beyond the call of duty to advocate for improved access, reliability, and affordability or promotes and accelerates adoption and utilization of telecommunications.
Awardee: Oregon State Senator David Brock Smith
Senator Smith’s groundbreaking contributions to telecommunications policy have remarkably transformed the landscape of high-speed internet access in rural Oregon.
The pivotal role he played in introducing and passing Oregon Revised Statute 758.120 has been a game-changer for the state. This crucial legislation empowered electrical cooperatives to leverage their existing infrastructure to deploy broadband services. His visionary approach enabled the extension of high-speed fiber optic broadband to some of Oregon’s most remote and underserved communities, particularly in Coos and Curry counties.
Thanks to his unwavering dedication, over 3,800 constituents now enjoy fast, reliable, and affordable internet provided by Beacon Broadband. This achievement is a testament to his commitment to bridging the digital divide and ensuring that rural areas have equal access to modern telecommunications services.
Senator Smith’s efforts go beyond legislative achievements. He has been an outspoken advocate for the citizens of Southwestern Oregon, working tirelessly to eliminate the disparities in internet access between rural and urban areas like Portland, Eugene, and Salem. His engagement has been multifaceted—ranging from writing influential letters of support to the Oregon Broadband Deployment Program, to actively participating in town hall meetings with residents of soon-to-be-served areas.
The impact of his work is profound. By fostering the deployment of broadband technology, Senator Smith has catalyzed significant economic, educational, and social benefits for the communities he serves.
In conclusion, State Senator David Brock Smith embodies the spirit of excellence in telecommunications policy and legislation.
4. Outstanding Telecommunications Advocate
An individual who has made a significant contribution or gone beyond the call of duty to advocate for improved access, reliability, and affordability, or promotes and accelerates adoption and utilization of telecommunications.
Awardee: Harney County Commissioner Patty Dorroh
Harney County Commissioner Patty Dorroh has been a tireless broadband champion for Harney County. In the face of some of the most challenging population density, weather, and terrain issues in the State, in the largest county in Oregon (which is actually larger than six U.S. States and having a total population of less than 7,500 people), Commissioner Dorroh formed and led a broadband action team to work on finding a path forward to close the digital divide for her County’s residents. Her leadership drew stakeholders from across the county and state to work together in amazing collaboration, resulting in an effective grassroots effort to make sure that Harney County ultimately receives the connectivity that it needs to be able to function in the modern world for generations to come. Leaders like Commissioner Dorroh are rare and we are lucky to have her in Oregon.
5. Outstanding Telecommunications Advocate
Individual who has made a significant contribution or gone beyond the call of duty to advocate for improved access, reliability, and affordability or promotes and accelerates the adoption and utilization of telecommunications.
Awardee: Lake County Commissioner Barry Shullanberger
Commissioner Barry Shullanberger has been a tireless advocate for broadband in Lake County, consistently encouraging, cajoling, and educating with the goal of making sure every resident of Lake County gets fast, affordable, and reliable broadband. When other voices are weary or quiet, Barry’s voice still is energized and clear. He is a role model for public servants everywhere and his advocacy can’t help but make a positive difference for his County.
6. Outstanding Telecommunications Advocate
An individual who has made a significant contribution or gone beyond the call of duty to advocate for improved access, reliability, and affordability, or promotes and accelerates the adoption and utilization of telecommunications.
Awardee: Oregon State Representative Court Boice
Representative Boice has been instrumental in transforming the digital landscape of Southwestern Oregon. His advocacy has resulted in over 3,800 constituents gaining access to fast, reliable, and affordable internet services provided by Beacon Broadband. This significant achievement has profoundly impacted the economic, educational, and social well-being of these rural areas.
Without Representative Boice’s legislative and personal support, the citizens of Coos and Curry counties would likely still be grappling with the disparity of high-speed internet access compared to more urban areas like Portland, Eugene, and Salem. His long-standing residency and advocacy for Southwestern Oregon have been pivotal in securing the necessary resources and attention to address this critical issue.
The successful deployment of high-speed fiber optic broadband in Coos and Curry counties has yielded numerous benefits. It has enabled local businesses to operate more efficiently, provided students better access to online educational resources, and enhanced resident’s overall quality of life. Representative Boice’s vision and determination have been key drivers in realizing these outcomes.
His efforts have significantly improved the lives of thousands of constituents and have set a benchmark for future advocacy in rural telecommunications.
7. Edwin B. Parker Enduring Achievement Award
This award is presented to individuals whose contributions in telecommunications have been rendered with the greatest civility, who serve as a role model and mentor to many, and who have provided a lasting legacy influencing for years to come the course and future of telecommunications in Oregon.
Awardee: Blake Lawerence. CEO and General Manager Windwave
The person who been selected this year to receive the Edwin B. Parker Enduring Achievement Award embodies the very essence of the award. He is indeed, as the award defines, an individual whose contributions in telecommunications have been rendered with the greatest civility, who serves as a role model and mentor to many, and who has provided a lasting legacy influencing for years to come the course and future of telecommunications in Oregon.
Blake Lawerence is the CEO and general manager of Windwave. Windwave both builds and operates optical networks throughout Eastern Oregon. The mission of Windwave is to build the future of rural communities through integrity, reliability and cutting-edge technology. Blake embodies this integrity. Those who have worked with or for Blake know that he is a person who leads by example. He treats both his employees and customers with great respect and there is nothing he would ask his employees to do that he wouldn’t do himself, whether to run a plow or jump on a job if needed, or just take out the trash.
His employees say that he is very accessible and caring. One employee told us that Blake is the very last person to promote himself. His entire focus is to make sure that his employees can buy homes, feed their kids and prosper even, sometimes, at the expense of the company. One example is the recent Monument fire. Blake encouraged his employees to drop all work and go save their homes and their neighbor’s homes, and the heavy equipment that Windwave owns was utilized for this purpose.
Blake is both humble in his interactions with employees and customers alike. And yet he is confident in his knowledge and not afraid to let people know what he thinks.
Blake’s customers echo the same sort of comments. One customer said that you couldn’t find a better person to work with, that he’s a super guy who will do anything to help you. If you had any issues, they’d be fixed the next day and that he was generous with his advice and good council. This same customer stated that Blake takes good care of his people.
Blake’s subcontractors also sing his praises. One-subcontractor tells the story of how Blake mentored him to transition from a Windwave employee to small business owner, showing him the ropes to set up his own rock drilling company and then becoming his first customer. He says that Blake is the best general contractor and owner to work for. He concludes by saying that Blake is willing to help everyone around him and helped this subcontractor see his own potential. He considers him a close friend, a leader and someone very important in this industry,
Blake’s dedication to improving broadband in rural Oregon communities started many years ago by connecting rural schools in eastern Oregon through the e-Rate program. He has expanded his company to include collocation, dark fiber, wavelengths and dedicated internet access. He has helped schools, hospitals, government agencies and community institutions secure broadband access that, in the past, was only accessible to urban markets. All with his kind and caring approach to those he serves.
8. Lifetime Achievement Award – Steve Corbato
It is rare that this family of leaders in the industry present a Lifetime Achievement Award. Today, we get to recognize and honor one of our own, Dr. Steve Corbato. For nearly three decades, Steve has dedicated himself to the development and deployment of Internet-based networks serving K-12 and higher education, healthcare, libraries, Tribal communities, and the public sector. As the first executive director for Link Oregon, a member-based consortium of the State of Oregon and Oregon’s four largest research universities (Oregon State University, OHSU, Portland State University, and the University of Oregon), Steve has not only orchestrated the implementation and expansion of an operational middle-mile broadband backbone for Oregon’s non-profit and public sector anchor institutions; he also has engaged effectively and enthusiastically with the many people, communities, and organizations that comprise Oregon’s statewide broadband ecosystem. His passion for expanding access to fiber-based telecommunications has changed Oregon for good in so many ways. More importantly, I believe, he has always conducted himself “with the greatest of civility”. His willingness to find common ground and work towards common goals is what has made him so successful as a key part of the Oregon Telecommunications story. Steve embodies the spirit of this award.
9. Special Recognition Award – Joseph Franell
Joe Franell who is also President of Blue Mountain Networks has been working tirelessly to find and encourage a new emcee to step up so he can retire from the role. He wants to attend and enjoy the conference like all of us! This has been proven to be quite the challenge because Joe’s charismatic presence and unwavering dedication has truly defined the Oregon Telecommunicaions Conference for many years. Joe- Your remarkable ability to connect, inspire, and engage has not only elevated our event but has left a lasting mark on the hearts of all attendees. As you embark on this new chapter, we are celebrating your legacy and the countless memories we have all created with you.