“Workin’ It Out: The Economic and Community Impact of Rural Broadband in South Dakota” provides key insights about the vital impact of rural broadband in South Dakota from three experts: Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association Ross Petrick, General Manager and CEO of Alliance Communications Dana Kleinsasser, Deputy State Director for USDA Rural Development in South Dakota.
Tune in to learn about how broadband affects rural communities, telehealth, childcare, and even e-sports and “Fitbits for Cows.”
About Our Panelists
Shirley Bloomfield
Shirley Bloomfield is chief executive officer of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, the premier association representing over 850 independent telecommunications companies that are leading innovation in rural and small-town America.
With more than 30 years of experience representing the country’s smallest telecom operators, Bloomfield is an expert on the role of federal communications policies in sustaining the vitality of rural and remote communities and the benefits rural broadband networks bring to millions of American families and businesses and the national economy. Bloomfield has a strong track record of leadership in seeking synergies and aligning strategic partnerships among rural telecom companies, their larger counterparts, other rural utilities and local and federal governments, further expanding business opportunities for small communications providers.
Under her leadership, NTCA has made broadband an integral part of policy conversations in Washington, D.C., and has secured billions of dollars in federal funding for rural service providers to expand build out and sustain networks and help close the digital divide. Bloomfield is a strong supporter of national efforts to improve the resilience and reliability of critical electric and telecommunications infrastructure and serves as a board member of NRTC and the Southeast Reliability Corporation (SERC).
Ross Petrick
Alliance Communications General Manager/CEO Ross Petrick joined the cooperative more than nine years ago. He serves on the SDN and NTCA Boards of Directors and is active on state associations and networks in South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa.
Alliance is based in Garretson, S.D., and serves customers in South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa. The cooperative has provided voice, video, and broadband services for more than 67 years. Alliance recently expanded its fiber-optic network into rural Rock County, MN, and areas north, south, and east of Sioux Falls.
Alliance feels that serving communities with fiber-optic broadband helps make them a better place to live. We also care for our communities’ basic needs by volunteering, donating, and participating in local events and charitable activities.
Dana Kleinsasser
Dana Kleinsasser currently serves as the Deputy State Director for USDA Rural Development in South Dakota, bringing over 30 years of experience in various roles within the USDA. Throughout her career, she has held significant positions, including Branch Chief for Single Family Housing Guaranteed, Program Director for Rural Business & Cooperative Programs, and Loan Specialist & Technician. Dana also worked for Farm Service Agency as a Farm Loan Officer. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
In addition to her professional commitments, Dana is actively involved in her community through family, church, and local events. She is also a member of the credit union supervisory loan committee in Huron. In her free time, Dana enjoys attending sporting events, spending quality time with her family, and relaxing at their lake cabin during the summer months. She has a daughter, Samantha, a son-in-law, Nathan, and three grandchildren.
