NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association announced that Michael Romano has been promoted to executive vice president of the association after serving for nearly 12 years as NTCA’s lead policy, industry and government affairs executive, while overseeing the educational and community-focused mission of the Foundation for Rural Service (FRS).
According to a press release, Romano will continue to oversee policy, government affairs, and FRS endeavors and add member engagement, human resources and information technology operations to his portfolio.
As new broadband funding measures take shape and support program reforms are debated, NTCA said Romano will continue to focus on this advocacy work while helping to implement strategic priorities for the association and assuring organization-wide alignment for both external affairs and association staff.
“Continuing to develop our staff leadership, both to enable personal and professional growth and to increase the value of our team to members, is a top priority for me,” said NTCA chief executive officer Shirley Bloomfield. “Mike is a huge asset to NTCA and our members, and I’m thrilled to have him become an even closer strategic partner to me in this new role.”
Before joining NTCA in 2010, Romano was of counsel with Bingham McCutchen, LLP (now Morgan Lewis), served as the founding vice president and general counsel of GTT Communications and held a variety of positions with America Online and Level 3 Communications. He is a graduate of Middlebury College and received his law degree from Georgetown University.
NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association represents nearly 850 independent, community-based telecommunications companies in rural communities across America.