• Andy Johns

  • Podcasts

    Using Podcasts To Communicate With Legislators

    What You’ll Learn The Tennessee Broadband Association has launched Lead Tennessee Radio as a tool to both communicate important policy issues with listeners and build relationships with legislators. Checkout Lead Tennessee Radio. Guest Speaker Levoy Knowles Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Andy Johns: How can podcasts play a role […]
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    Andy Johns
    May 1, 2026
  • Podcasts

    Innovative Systems’ 2020 Video and Internet Study

    What You’ll Learn Scott Meyer of Innovative Systems shares insights from the 2020 Video and Internet Study, discussing DVR usage, streaming only households and an alarming decrease in customer satisfaction among rural telcos. Guest Speaker Scott Meyer Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Andy Johns: What are some of the […]
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    Andy Johns
    May 1, 2026
  • Podcasts

    Telcos & Electric Cooperatives Working Together

    What You’ll Learn At RTIME, Fred Johnson was called on to articulate NTCA’s position on electrics getting into the broadband business. He joined the podcast after his address to share his thoughts. Guest Speaker Fred Johnson Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Andy Johns: What can your telco do to […]
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    Andy Johns
    May 1, 2026
  • Podcasts

    Everyone At Your Company Is A Storyteller

    What You’ll Learn At Omnitel, storytelling is an important skill for all employees. CEO Ron Laudner tells us how and why it’s important for everyone to be on the same page. Guest Speaker Ron Laudner Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Andy Johns: What can you do to get your […]
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    Andy Johns
    May 1, 2026
  • Podcasts

    Introducing the Smart Rural Communities Podcast

    What You’ll Learn NTCA has rolled out it’s brand new Smart Rural Communities Podcast. How is the association using podcasts to help tell the rural broadband story? Guest Speaker Laura Withers Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Andy Johns: How is NTCA using podcasts to share the word about their […]
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    Andy Johns
    May 1, 2026
  • Podcasts

    The story of Freedom Fiber

    What You’ll Learn Tombigbee Electric Cooperative was early to the game on fiber optics. What can other electrics learn from Tombigbee’s Freedom Fiber service? Guest Speaker Steve Foshee Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Andy Johns: What can electric cooperatives learn about getting into the broadband business from freedom FIBER? […]
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    Andy Johns
    May 1, 2026
  • Blog

    Maximizing the Power of Social Media Just Got (a lot) Easier

    Meet Pioneer Social, a robust social media management software platform built specifically for public power utilities. It is packed with industry-relevant content that’s ready to share to all your social channels within seconds.
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    Andy Johns
    May 22, 2026
  • Podcasts

    Electrics Getting Member Approval to Offer Broadband

    What You’ll Learn The demand for broadband was there, but Joe Wheeler EMC (Trinity, Alabama) needed approval from its membership to enter the business. In this episode, Director of Communications Michael Cornelison talks about the actions his electric cooperative took to inform members and hold an election to change the company bylaws. Guest Speaker Michael […]
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    Andy Johns
    May 1, 2026
  • Podcasts

    When a DDoS Attack Derails Your Rebranding Efforts

    What You’ll Learn In the summer of 2019, Director of Communications Patricia Contic and her team at Morristown (TN) Utility Systems were set to launch a company-wide rebranding effort. And then someone launched a DDoS attack on their network. In this episode, Patricia talks about how they managed the public backlash, deleted their Facebook page […]
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    Andy Johns
    May 1, 2026
  • Podcasts

    Partnership Helps Electric Cooperative Enter Broadband Business

    What You’ll Learn Appalachian Electric Cooperative in New Market, Tennessee, did its homework before deciding to enter the broadband business — what Director of Member Services Mitch Cain calls “the largest investment our cooperative had ever made.” In this episode, Mitch talks about what led to AEC’s decision to offer broadband, and how finding the […]
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    Andy Johns
    May 1, 2026
  • Podcasts

    A Framework for Listening to your Customers

    What You’ll Learn If your company wants to reach its goals, improve its results and become more competitive, the Baldrige Framework provides a system for moving you toward excellence. In his presentation to on the conference main stage, Keiffer dove deep into the Customer Focus leg of the Leadership Triad, exploring how customer expectations, engagement […]
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    Andy Johns
    May 1, 2026
  • Podcasts

    Building a Broadband Brand

    What You’ll Learn When Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative wanted to get into the broadband business, they created the Wave Rural Connect brand. How did they do it and what are the advantages of building a new brand? Guest Speaker James Ratterree
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    Andy Johns
    May 1, 2026