David M. Zumwalt, who was previously the COO of Broadband VI in the US Virgin Islands, will be the new CEO of WISPA, following the departure of previous chief Claude Aiken. #pressrelease

May 4, 2022

3 Min Read

WASHINGTON – WISPA announced the hiring of David M. Zumwalt as President and CEO of the Association, effective June 1, 2022. Mr. Zumwalt will oversee the Association's strategic and daily affairs, including staff for advocacy, membership, policy and events.

Prior to arriving at WISPA, Mr. Zumwalt served as the Chief Operating Officer of Broadband VI, a major ISP in the US Virgin Islands offering fixed wireless and fiber-connected services, where he was recruited to prepare the company for scale. He held full P&L responsibility, helped guide the company to its historic $84.5 million FCC Connect USVI win and provided operations leadership during and after its acquisition by a unit of Liberty Latin America late last year.

Earlier, he served as the CEO/Executive Director of the University of the Virgin Islands Research and Technology Park Corporation (RTPark), an instrumentality of the USVI government formed to establish and grow a vibrant knowledge-based sector in the Territory's economy. He led policy, workforce investment, infrastructure and market outreach initiatives and guided RTPark to become a rare example of a sustainable three-way partnership with private sector, governmental and university stakeholders.

Mr. Zumwalt also founded and served as Chairman and CEO of CNet, Inc., a leading provider of RF engineering and operational support system software and services to the worldwide wireless communications industry, securing significant customer relationships in forty countries. He has provided growth strategy services spanning private sector, public sector and academic initiatives, engaging as a board-level advisor working closely with management teams, stakeholders, capital partners and governmental/regulatory counterparts. A graduate of Rice University, he has been named a Fellow of the Radio Club of America and is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Texas.

WISPA's Board of Directors organized a Selection Committee to assist its search for its next President and CEO. Dozens of qualified candidates applied. "We are excited to have chosen David to lead WISPA," said Todd Harpest, WISPA's Chairman of the Board. "It is a crucial time in the industry, and his history of success in several different leadership roles will serve our members during this unprecedented time of broadband growth, government funding, and increased private investment. David is simply the best person to guide our members to the tremendous opportunities at stake. We cannot wait to get started."

WISPA represents the interests of the evolving Internet service provider that deploys fixed wireless, fiber and hybrid networks. WISPA's members range from small innovative entrepreneurs to large providers, solutions providers and manufacturers. WISPA members bring critical Internet access to more than nine million Americans, many of whom reside and work in unserved and underserved areas. They also provide access to urban, suburban, and Tribal areas of the country. WISPA members typically focus on rapid deployment models providing affordable, reliable and sustainable broadband service for primary and backup Internet connections.

"WISPA is a revered brand in the ISP industry," said Mr. Zumwalt. "WISPA's active advocacy efforts extend the reach of members at the Federal level and within state and regional jurisdictions. I am delighted to be joining WISPA and look forward to leading it as our membership, staff, and Board work to advance our Association's mission. Broadband service continues to transform communities and markets, and all Americans deserve high-quality broadband no matter where they may live or work. WISPA's members are, and have long been, the front-line responders delivering Broadband Without Boundaries."

WISPA

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