Let's Get Digital with Carrie Charles

In this episode of 5G Talent Talk, Carrie Charles interviews Scott Woods , President of Public Private Partnerships at Ready.net. They discuss Scott’s transition from a private practice attorney to a key figure in telecommunications, emphasizing his work at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Scott explains the NTIA’s role in managing the Broadband Equity and Acc...

In this special episode of 5G Talent Talk, Carrie Charles welcomes industry experts Cesar Ruiz , President & CEO of Learning Alliance Corporation ; Deb Bennett , VP of Apprenticeship for the Wireless Infrastructure Association ; and Deborah Kish , VP of Research & Workforce Development for the Fiber Broadband Association , to explore innovative strategies and initiatives for developing the...

In this episode of "5G Talent Talk," Carrie Charles interviews Chad Tuttle , CEO of B+T Group. Chad shares his journey in the telecom industry, which began with his grandfather’s construction company in the 1950s, building radio and early AT&T towers. This influenced Chad to pursue engineering. He co-founded B&T Group in 2000, initially focusing on structural engineering. The company has s...

In this episode of 5G Talent Talk, Carrie Charles speaks with Ken Schmidt, President of Steel in the Air, Inc. Steel in the Air provides guidance to thousands of clients across the United States on cell tower and cell site leases. Ken’s many years of experience has led him to become a pivotal thought leader in the industry, using his knowledge to guide hundreds of municipalities through the comple...

In this episode of 5G Talent Talk, Carrie Charles welcomes Jim Tracy , co-founder of Legacy Telecommunications , author, speaker, and host of " The Grampion " podcast. Jim shares his incredible journey from a small-town welder in rural Minnesota to a prominent figure in the telecommunications industry. Jim shares the ups and downs of growing Legacy Telecommunications, emphasizing the importance of...

 In this episode of 5G Talent Talk with Carrie Charles, we explore the remarkable journey and company culture of Great Plains Communications (GPC) with Joe Pellegrini, President and COO. With a 113-year legacy, GPC leads the telecom industry by providing essential services to underserved communities. Joe shares insights into GPC's diverse business model, which includes six business units for a res...

In this episode of 5G Talent Talk, host Carrie Charles chats with Tonya Stopke, Senior Vice President at World Wide Technology (WWT). Tonya shares her inspiring journey from humble beginnings to a leadership role, emphasizing perseverance, authenticity, and community support. Tonya discusses WWT's evolution into a global tech leader, their pioneering work in AI, and their significant investments i...

Explore the world of telecom leadership with Carrie Charles on the latest episode of 5G Talent Talk. Joining her is Lynn Whitcher, the President of the Women's Wireless Leadership Forum (WWLF) and General Counsel for MD7. Lynn shares her remarkable journey from litigator to telecom industry leader, offering insights into the evolving landscape of wireless infrastructure and the crucial role of wom...

Step into the dynamic world of wireless infrastructure with Carrie Charles on 5G Talent Talk as she sits down with Patrick Halley , the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) . Discover Patrick's unexpected journey into telecommunications and his pivotal role in shaping connectivity for all.  Patrick shares insights into WIA's mission to advocate for...

Join Carrie Charles on this episode of 5G Talent Talk as she engages in an insightful conversation with Donna Johnson, the Chief Marketing Officer of Cradlepoint. Donna shares her remarkable journey to the C-suite, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and adaptability in career growth. As an expert storyteller, Donna eloquently narrates Cradlepoint's evolution from revolutionizing cellular conn...

Join us as host Carrie Charles sit down with Christos Karmis, the visionary US CEO of Boldyn Networks, for an exclusive peek into the world of cutting-edge network connectivity solutions. From combining six global companies to leading the charge in various market segments, Karmis unpacks Boldyn's journey and unveils the company's strategies for staying ahead of the curve. Discover why 5G private n...

In this episode, Trent Edwards, the President of Mears Broadband, discusses his journey in the telecom industry and highlights the unique approach of Mears as a contractor. He emphasizes the importance of building partnerships and trust with customers, and the value of a diverse and empowered workforce. Trent also shares his thoughts on the opportunities and challenges facing the industry, the nee...

Stacey Thompson, the current Chief Operating Officer of ADB Companies, joins us today to share her journey and insights on women in leadership, work-life balance, and the future of the telecommunications industry. ADB Companies is a turnkey provider in the telecommunications industry, with a focus on customer-centricity and the growth, safety, and well-being of team members. This episode dives int...

Step into the future of AI with Ajay Malik , CEO of secomind.ai , in today's episode of 5G Talent Talk with Carrie Charles. Ajay shares his passion for AI, drawing on his extensive 30-year career, which includes stints at major tech players like Motorola, Google, and Cisco. Secomind.ai, focused exclusively on AI for five years, empowers businesses in three key areas: enhancing products, providing...

Innovative solutions are shaping the future of connectivity, and today's featured company tackles things like enhancing RF awareness and tackling challenges in private wireless optimization and dynamic spectrum sharing. In this episode of 5G Talent Talk, host Carrie Charles sits down with the visionary Fernando Murias, Chairman and CEO of Digital Global Systems. Fernando takes us on a captivating...

Technological innovation is happening nonstop. You need to keep learning to stay on top of things and avoid getting left behind. In this episode, Carrie Charles sits down with  Steve Gleave , Marketing Director in the Strategic Missions and Technologies Group at  Microsoft . He talks about Microsoft’s Azure for Operators and how it helps service providers navigate the intersection of AI, cloud net...

Leadership in the last mile requires a unique set of skills, and in this episode, Co-CEO  Jamie Earp  of  Ubiquity  shares insights with host Carrie Charles. Discover the driving force behind Ubiquity’s success and Jamie’s leadership style focused on empowerment, authenticity, and transparency. Gain valuable insights into the industry’s future, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence...

The mission at ECSite is to empower the workforce, break data silos, and embrace the future of technology in telecom. In this episode, we sit down with the visionary  Subbu Meiyappan , the CEO and Founder of  ECSite , to explore the world of digitizing the telecommunications industry. Subbu shares his incredible story of reinventing himself several times, all in pursuit of the next big challenge....

Cultivating the workforce of tomorrow begins with embracing emerging technologies today. Join us in this eye-opening episode with special guest, Ishwar Parulkar , the Chief Technologist for Telecom and Edge Cloud at Amazon Web Services (AWS). Today, Ishwar takes us on a journey through the fascinating landscape of emerging technologies and their profound impact on the Telco industry. He touches on...

Explore the many ways telecommunications can be used as an enabler for entrepreneurial growth and supporting community development. In this episode of 5G Talent Talk with Carrie Charles, we’re joined by Brian Mefford , VP of Broadband Strategy for VETRO FiberMap , to discuss their mission to radically simplify fiber management and drive community advancement. This engaging conversation explores VE...

In this episode, join host Carrie Charles as she explores the essential elements of workforce enhancement for sustainable business growth and prosperity. Carrie sits down with Kelly Lazuka , the CEO of Fullerton , for an insightful discussion on building high-performing teams. Discover how Fullerton, a tier one provider, has harnessed the power of mentorship programs, leadership training, and skil...

How do we get the younger generation of workers interested in the telecommunications industry? As the skilled labor shortage continues to grow, the solution is certainly not ‘easy.’ Thankfully, the Fiber Broadband Association provides resources that make this industry-wide effort a whole lot simpler. Joining us today is Deborah Kish , VP of Research and Workforce Development for the Fiber Broadban...

5G is not merely a technology; it serves as the gateway to an unparalleled era of connectivity, efficiency, and innovation. In this episode of 5G Talent Talk with Carrie Charles, we are joined by Chris Pearson , the President at 5G Americas . Chris highlights the world of 5G, the groundbreaking wireless network that is revolutionizing how we connect and communicate.  From the incredible speed and...

The challenges that communities face today need solutions beyond tomorrow. On today's episode of 5G Talent Talk, we're joined by  William Davidson , Director of Strategic Initiatives at  NextEra Infrastructure Solutions , to discuss how NIS is closing the digital equity gap. NextEra Infrastructure Solutions is a workgroup of affiliates of NextEra Energy that offers unregulated, commercial fiber, l...

Nationwide broadband access initiatives face a significant challenge as the telecom industry grapples with a widening skills gap. The combination of an aging workforce and lack of interest among young people presents a formidable hurdle. however, the  Learning Alliance Corporation  is at the forefront, working diligently to bridge this gap. On this episode of 5G Talent Talk, we're joined by the Pr...