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As we close out the year, it’s a moment for reflection. It has been an incredible five years since the Utility Broadband Alliance was founded, and it fills me with immense pride to have been a part of this journey from the very beginning, both as a member and on the board. Witnessing this Alliance grow from a bold idea into a powerful force for industry-wide innovation has been a remarkable experience.
From the start, our mission has been clear: to create value for all utility customers through the power of broadband communications to utility assets. I have always believed that there is space for everyone in the UBBA, because our strength comes from our diverse ecosystem of partners. Our focus must remain on the end goal of getting devices online, and T&D must demand access to more connected devices to manage operations. Staying focused on the benefits broadband brings to our members and the communities they serve, enables all other aspects of our industry to naturally grow and thrive.
A core part of this has been our commitment to hands-on testing. Plugfest has been a differentiating value for UBBA members, and the fact that Bobbi did not kill John Hughes and me when we pitched this for the first show in St. Louis. It was born out of the conviction that collaborative, real-world testing is essential to moving our industry forward. It is where our Alliance truly comes together, proving that by working side by side, we can accelerate the development and deployment of solutions that address critical challenges. The results of Plugfest are a testament to what we can achieve when we work together.
On a personal note, this journey has also brought a significant and exciting change for me. I will be stepping down from my role on the UBBA Board of Directors as I focus on my day job of Chief Innovation Officer for Burns & McDonnell. While I am moving on from the Board, I am pleased to pass the torch to a trusted colleague. I have worked with Jon Conway for years and have handed over the business to him, so I can say with full confidence that he is the right person for this role. I trust him implicitly to represent Burns & McDonnell on the UBBA Board and to champion our shared vision for the Alliance.
Thank you for five wonderful years of collaboration, passion, and progress. I am more confident than ever in the future of this Alliance and look forward to seeing it continue to thrive.
Sincerely,
Matt Olson
Chief Innovation Officer
Burns & McDonnell
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