• Andy Johns

  • Blog

    Pioneer Members Share Feedback in Pioneer Pulse Survey Response

    To kick off National Cooperative Month, we’re sharing results from our 2021 Pioneer Pulse survey.
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    Andy Johns
    August 19, 2026
  • Podcasts

    Teaching Teachers About Energy

    What You’ll Learn Coweta-Fayette EMC launched the STEM Teachers Alternative Energy Summer Adventure to help local teachers teach about the future of energy in their classrooms. Guest Speaker Maggie Reenstra Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Andy Johns: What are some ways that you can get local educators to help […]
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    Andy Johns
    May 1, 2026
  • Rural-Broadband-Today
    Podcasts

    The Challenges of Rural Broadband

    In this episode, John points out several problems with providing broadband to rural communities, including obstacles and issues at the local, state and federal levels.
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    Andy Johns
    May 14, 2026
  • Blog

    Pioneer Brings Content, Expertise & Easy Software Together to Offer Pioneer Studio

    We know utility communicators are wearing a lot of hats and always need fresh, branded content. Our Solution: Pioneer Studio.
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    Andy Johns
    April 19, 2026
  • Rural-Broadband-Today
    Podcasts

    The Adventure of Building a Broadband Network

    In this episode, Kara recaps key issues that new ISPs should consider when choosing their own broadband adventure.
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    Andy Johns
    May 14, 2026
  • Podcasts

    Broadband Expansion Among TVPPA Members

    What You’ll Learn Local power companies across seven states make up the Tennessee Valley Public Power Association — and many of them are expanding their services to offer broadband to their consumers. Doug Peters, president and CEO of TVPPA, joined us at Fiber Connect 2021 to discuss how local power companies are improving the quality […]
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    Andy Johns
    May 1, 2026
  • Rural-Broadband-Today
    Podcasts

    Tips from a Network Operator on Deploying Fiber

    What You’ll Learn Cullman Electric Cooperative launched Sprout Fiber in 2020. Mark Freeman, Cullman’s manager of network operations, was a 2021 Fiber Connect conference panelist on the topic of “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Lessons Learned from Network Operators.” In this episode, Mark discusses Sprout’s successes, plus challenges that other cooperatives looking to […]
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    Andy Johns
    May 1, 2026
  • Blog

    Is StoryConnect the Right Conference for You?

    Learn how our storytelling conference helps both broadband and electric utility communicators connect to peers and potential ideas.
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    Andy Johns
    April 19, 2026
  • Podcasts

    Employees Help Create a Stimulus for Local Businesses

    What You’ll Learn Minburn Communications helped it’s community recover from the COVID-19 economic slump by providing incentives for employees to shop local. Guest Speaker Kristi Petersen Show Notes Andy Johns: More than a year into the pandemic, what are some telcos still doing to help members and customers respond? That’s what we’ll be talking about […]
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    Andy Johns
    May 1, 2026
  • Podcasts

    Highlights of the Annual Rural Video & Broadband Industry Study

    What You’ll Learn Innovative’s annual study uncovers insights on keeping video service going, offering speed increase trials and much more. For the full report, email scottm@innovsys.com. Guest Speaker Scott Meyer Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Andy Johns: What are the latest trends in rural video and broadband? That’s what […]
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    Andy Johns
    May 1, 2026
  • Blog

    New Member Spotlight: Dam Internet

    Pioneer and WordSouth love helping launch and grow fiber brands so much that we wanted to spotlight our recent work for a cooperative’s new broadband division: Dam Internet. Learn how the Dam concept was developed and see a series of ads for the fiber provider's services on our blog.
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    Andy Johns
    April 19, 2026
  • Blog

    6 Ways We Are More Powerful Together in The Year Since ARC Joined Pioneer

    Pioneer Utility Resources closed on the deal to acquire ARC Media on March 31, 2020 — just weeks after the COVID-19 cancellations and closures spread around the country.
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    Andy Johns
    April 19, 2026