2025 C3 Technology Summit
The C3 Technology Summit is an annual event hosted by SDN Communications that is dedicated to bringing together broadband and middle-mile network providers to discuss pivotal topics in the industry. The summit emphasizes three core themes: connectivity, capacity, and content. By bringing together industry leaders, the summit aims to facilitate the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and strategies that can drive innovation and improvement in the broadband and middle-mile network sectors.
The C3 Technology Summit will take place at the Canopy by Hilton, Sioux Falls’ newest hotel that offers a scenic view of the Big Sioux River and Falls Park. Sessions will commence midday on Monday, September 22nd, and will conclude at 4 PM on September 23rd.
Thank you to our Sponsors
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Summit Affiliates
Hotel Information
Canopy by Hilton Sioux Falls Downtown
120 E. 4th Place
Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 57104
Agenda
Speaker Spotlight
Daniel Lakier | Field CISO, Myriad360
Spent 20 years in the technology industry, working across energy, manufacturing, and healthcare in roles ranging from engineering to architecture and sales. Passionate about both learning and teaching, he supports technology startups, publishes blogs that simplify complex IT and compliance topics, and shares his knowledge with non-technical audiences.
Anthony Gervasi | Platform Engineering Manager, Golden West Telecommunications
A Rapid City native, earned dual B.S. degrees in Computer Science and Mathematics from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in 2004. He began his career in artificial neural network research, publishing work on radar data applications, before joining Golden West in 2007 as a software engineer. After leading the Software Engineering team from 2017–2021, he now oversees Platform Engineering, which includes Network Engineering, Software Engineering, and Operational Support Systems, with a focus on automation and new product development.
Jason Husby | State 911 Coordinator, South Dakota Department of Public Safety
Jason Husby serves as the State 911 Coordinator for South Dakota, overseeing the state’s 911 program under the South Dakota Department of Public Safety and the 911 Coordination Board. Jason retired from the South Dakota Highway Patrol in 2022 and rejoined the Department of Public Safety in 2023 as the State 911 Coordinator. In this role, he manages the state’s Managed Emergency Call Handling (MECH) contract, coordinates with and conducts compliance reviews of Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) across South Dakota.
Leah Palmer | Director of the Emergency Communication Networks (ECN),
Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Leah Palmer serves as the Director of the Emergency Communication Networks (ECN) division within the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. She began her public safety career as a 911 telecommunicator for the City of Minneapolis and brings over 15 years of public service experience. Her career includes key roles with the City of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Police Department, Brooklyn Park Police Department, and Metro Transit, where she led initiatives to improve rider experience and interagency coordination. She holds a Master of Public Affairs from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs and an Executive Certificate in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School.
Jill Bondhus | 911 Operational Coordinator, Emergency Communication Networks - Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Jill Bondhus is a retired PSAP Administrator and consultant with nearly 30 years in public safety. She leads Petals2Metals, LLC, and supports Minnesota’s 911 program, providing expertise in operations, technology, and process improvement.
Blake DeRouchey | 911 Program Manager and Legislative Liaison, Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department
Blake DeRouchey has worked at the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management since 2008 and currently serves as 911 Program Manager and legislative liaison. A University of Northern Iowa graduate and Iraq veteran, he lives in the Des Moines area with his wife, Katie, and their two children.
Daryl Branson | Section Chief, Colorado Public Utilities Commission
Daryl Branson is Telecom Programs Section Chief for the Colorado Public Utilities Commission and a NASNA board member. With 27 years in 9-1-1 and telecom regulation, he has held leadership roles across multiple states and serves on national committees. He holds an MPA from Missouri State University and certifications as an ENP and RPL.
David A. Sankey | Director of the State 911 Department, Nebraska Public Service Commission
After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice, David Sankey joined the Nebraska State Patrol where he served in a variety of capacities during his 27-year career until his retirement at the end of 2014. He is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy and the National Executive Leadership Institute. In September of 2016, he joined the Nebraska Public Service Commission as the Director of the State 911 Department. As the State 911 Director, Sankey works with a team of dedicated individuals to support Nebraska’s Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) and the telecommunications industry to provide statewide 911 services to Nebraska’s citizens and visitors.
Gary Glissendorf | Network Architect, SDN Communications
Gary brings 25+ years of experience in designing and deploying Internet, MPLS, and DWDM networks. He combines technical expertise with strategic planning, leading modernization efforts, adopting automation tools, and aligning business goals with innovative, scalable network solutions.
Sachin Gupta | Vice President of Business and Technology Strategies, Central Rural Electric Cooperative
Sachin Gupta is VP of Business and Technology Strategies at Central Rural Electric Cooperative and a Presidential Leadership Scholar (Class of 2025). He serves on national broadband boards, including the Fiber Broadband Association, and is a voting member of the Oklahoma Broadband Expansion Council. With 18 years of global experience in product management and business development, he is active in advancing broadband policy and innovation at state and federal levels.
Mark Boxer | Technical Manager - Solutions & Applications Engineering, Lightera
Mark Boxer is Technical Manager for Solutions and Applications Engineering at Lightera, with 30+ years in the fiber industry. He supports global fiber deployments, drives product innovation, holds several US patents, and serves on the Fiber Broadband Association and North Carolina Broadband Matters boards, contributing to fiber education and certification programs.
Ryan Punt | CEO, SDN Communications
Ryan Punt is the CEO of SDN Communications. Since joining SDN in 2006, he has advanced through roles in commercial and wholesale sales before being named CEO in 2021. With nearly two decades in telecommunications, Ryan is recognized for his customer-focused approach, deep industry knowledge, and commitment to delivering reliable, innovative network solutions.
Justin Ryburn | Field CTO, Kentik
With 25 years of experience spanning network operations, engineering, sales, and marketing, Justin Ryburn is the Field CTO at Kentik, a network intelligence company. He's a published author, contributing to the book Cyber Forensics and authoring Day One: Deploying BGP FlowSpec. Justin is also a well-known speaker at industry conferences, where he shares his expertise on network observability and security. He currently lives in St. Louis with his family.
Eric Jones | Manager - Customer Success Engineering, Netskrt Systems Inc.
Eric Jones is a network and systems engineer who manages Customer Success Engineering at Netskrt Systems. He guides his team to help ISPs and Internet Exchanges deploy edge caching solutions. His work centers on coordinating technical implementation and developing processes that support scalability and reliability.
Kyle Peters | Partner, A1 Development
As a South Dakota native, is a Partner at A1 Development Solutions, where he helps companies and communities drive growth. With a background in ag lending and economic development, he has led statewide initiatives in value-added agriculture and now serves on the Watertown City Council and several state and nonprofit boards. An avid outdoorsman and pilot, Kyle stays active on his family’s farm and ranch and lives in Watertown with his wife, Kassidy, and their three children.
Lew Maggio | Director of Data Center Connectivity, Applied Digital
Lew Maggio is Director of Data Center Connectivity at Applied Digital where he helps customers with their network connectivity needs.
Phillip Doelling | Co-Founder & CTO, Hublvu, Inc.
Phillip Doelling is the co-founder and CTO of Hublvu, Inc. Prior to Hublvu, Phillip held the role of the Head of Engineering at Blueplanet, a division of Ciena. In this role, Phillip oversaw the R&D of service fulfillment portfolio of Blueplanet division, leading a team of ~300 software professionals. Phillip joined Blueplanet through the acquisition of Centina Systems which he co-founded in 2006. As the CTO and CPO at Centina Systems, Phillip oversaw the technology and product development. Prior to Centina Systems, Phillip held development positions at Xtera and Alcatel Lucent.
Austin Gagnon | Carrier Senior Account Executive, Nex-tech
Austin Gagnon is a Senior Carrier Account Representative at Nex-Tech, bringing over 16 years of experience in the telecommunications industry. He started his career as an outside plant technician before spending six years as a Service Assurance Specialist in Nex-Tech’s Network Operations Center. With Cisco CCNA and MEF-CECP certifications, Austin has played a key role in supporting regional fiber networks across six states.
Brian Ford | Vice President-Federal Regulatory, NTCA
Brian Ford is the Vice President, Federal Regulatory at NTCA and has been with the association since March 2013. He advocates on behalf of NTCA’s RLEC members at the FCC, with a focus on a variety of issues such as the Universal Service Fund, broadband mapping, IP transition, NG911, E-rate, ACP and Lifeline, net neutrality, video, robocalls, and other rulemaking proceedings. Brian is the staff liaison to the NTCA Technical Committee, and he is the association’s representative on a number of industry working groups and standards body task forces.
Kara Semmler | General Counsel and Executive Director, South Dakota Telecommunications Association
Kara represents SDTA membership before the SD Public Utilities Commission, other state agencies, the state legislature, and the FCC. She received a BA in business administration from Carthage College in Kenosha, WI and went on to obtain her law degree from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN. Kara then moved home to South Dakota to practice law. In addition to nearly a decade of private practice legal experience, she served as an attorney at the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission and as a Policy Advisor to Governor Kristi Noem.
Jeff Gould | Keynote Speaker
Jeff Gould, known as America’s Storyteller, is an author, speaker, and broadcaster who inspires audiences through the power of story. He has written six books, including the I Like That Story series and the Dead Air novels, and has spoken to thousands using humor and insight. A longtime broadcaster and creator of A Prairie Christmas, Jeff also teaches through online courses, workshops, and his site ILikeThatStory.net.
Melissa Kjendle | Information Security Consultant, FRSecure
Melissa is a security industry expert with over 20 years of experience in information security and technology, specializing in enterprise infrastructure, networks, and cybersecurity. Known for her focus on user education, problem-solving, and client support, she has extensive experience in the energy sector and critical infrastructure, making her a trusted and people-focused consultant.
Jim Edman | Cybersecurity Coordinator, Department of Homeland Security
Jim is the Cybersecurity Coordinator for DHS’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in South Dakota, working with critical sectors on cyber risk management and security practices. Before joining CISA in 2021, he spent over a decade with South Dakota state government as Chief Information Security Officer, leading efforts to protect government data and expand broadband access, while also serving in leadership roles including Deputy and Acting CIO.
Jason McEachin | VP - Solution Engineers, Corero Network Security
Jason McEachin is Vice President of Solution Engineers at Corero Network Security, where he helps service providers and enterprises deploy effective DDoS defense strategies. With more than 20 years of experience in network security leadership roles at Corero, Arbor Networks, and Lookingglass Cyber Solutions, he brings deep expertise in protecting large-scale infrastructures. At the C3 Technology Summit, Jason will share practical insights on DDoS defense deployment architectures and how organizations can strengthen resilience against today’s evolving threats.
Craig Patten | Principal Consulting Engineer, Nokia
Craig Patten, holds a Masters in Data Sciences and is a Principal Consulting Engineer for Nokia. Prior to joining Nokia in 2020, Craig has worked for Internet Service Providers in Network Engineering and Architecture roles, as well as network equipment vendors ViaSat and Terayon. Throughout his 25+ years in Telecommunications he has shown a passion for Data analytics and turning data into information.
Questions
For Summit questions, contact C3 Project Manager Joel Pieper at [email protected] or 513.324.1620 or Jake VanDewater at [email protected]