• Andy Johns

  • News

    Tennessee Connections Rebrand Wins APPA Award

    Tennessee Municipal Electric Power Association took the stage at the American Public Power Association Customer Connections Conference in November, winning an Excellence in Public Power Communications award for the association’s magazine, Tennessee Connections.
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    Andy Johns
    May 22, 2026
  • Podcasts

    Seven Common Grammar Gaffes

    What You’ll Learn A self-professed grammar nerd, NWPPA Director of Communications Brenda Dunn talks through some common mistakes that writers make and how to fix them. Guest Speaker Brenda Dunn Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Intro: A production of Pioneer Utility Resources. StoryConnect, helping communicators discover ideas to shape […]
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    Andy Johns
    May 1, 2026
  • Podcasts

    What Can Utilities Learn From Sled Dogs? With Quince Mountain

    What You’ll Learn Quince Mountain, author of “Naked and Afraid” and a competitor in the Iditarod, was the keynote speaker at the NWPPA NIC conference. He shares points that utilities and broadband providers can learn from dog-sled racing. Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Intro: A production of Pioneer Utility […]
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    Andy Johns
    May 1, 2026
  • Rural-Broadband-Today
    Podcasts

    Louisiana is Dishing Out GUMBO Grants to Build Broadband

    What You’ll Learn GUMBO is more than just the best new acronym in the industry. The program has catapulted Louisiana’s broadband office forward into a leading role across the country. Guest Speaker Thomas Tyler Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability.  Intro: Rural broadband today is a production of Pioneer Utility […]
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    Andy Johns
    May 1, 2026
  • Podcasts

    Video Tips for Utility Communicators

    What You’ll Learn Sheila Corson at Okanogan County PUD shares tips utility communicators can use to quickly create quality video content to tell their stories. The software programs mentioned include vyond.com, animaker.com and powtoon.com. Guest Speaker Sheila Corson Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Intro: A production of Pioneer Utility […]
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    Andy Johns
    May 1, 2026
  • Podcasts

    The Case for Multigig Broadband Service

    What You’ll Learn The number of people who need (or even understand) multiple gigs’ worth of broadband speed might be small now, but Matt Daniel at Mountain Telephone lays out the case for why offering such top-end packages makes sense. Guest Speaker Matt Daniel Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. […]
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    Andy Johns
    May 1, 2026
  • Podcasts

    How to Communicate Through Alaska-sized Crises

    Extreme weather and the state's remoteness amplify any crisis that may come up in Alaska. That means Meadow Bailey and the Golden Valley team have to be prepared. What can other communicators learn from their preparation?
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    Andy Johns
    May 14, 2026
  • News

    Pioneer Team Supports Florida Utility Pioneers in Storm’s Path

    Pioneer donated $5,000 to the Florida Electric Cooperative Association’s Disaster Relief Fund as part of a national effort to help Utility Pioneers at all of Florida’s impacted electric co-ops recover from Hurricane Ian.
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    Andy Johns
    May 19, 2026
  • Blog

    Five Calix ConneXions Takeaways: Think Multi Gig, Deliver Experiences, Listen, Bring Social Proof and Focus on Innovation

    Calix ConneXions 2022 is always a great conference for broadband marketers, featuring a mix of peer panels and national experts. Here are five takeaways to help Utility Pioneers strengthen broadband programs.
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    Andy Johns
    May 28, 2026
  • Podcasts

    The Reluctant Salesperson

    What You’ll Learn Tom DuBos reveals what it really takes to be a good salesperson and how folks can embrace sales opportunities by seeing them as ways to meet needs. Guest Speaker Tom DuBos Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Intro: A production of Pioneer Utility Resources. StoryConnect The Podcast, […]
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    Andy Johns
    May 1, 2026
  • Podcasts

    Navigating Social Media

    What You’ll Learn Ian Cope shares thoughts on how utilities can navigate through the wilds of social media, summing up his panel at the 2022 NIC conference. Guest Speaker Ian Cope Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Intro: A production of WordSouth and Pioneer Utility Resources. StoryConnect The Podcast, helping […]
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    Andy Johns
    May 1, 2026
  • News

    Retired Arizona Communicator Named 2022 Dave D’Avanzo Award Winner

    Pioneer Utility Resources is pleased to announce Geoff Oldfather as the winner of the Dave D’Avanzo Communications Award for 2022. The award honors Pioneer's communicator of the year.
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    Andy Johns
    May 14, 2026