Washington now holds a local voice as Silver Star Communications’ Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Jeff England has been elected Chair of the Board of Directors for USTelecom – The Broadband Association, a national trade organization representing broadband providers across the United States.

England was elected and announced in his position with USTelecom on October 24 in Washington, D.C.

England shared his thoughts saying, “USTelecom’s work to advance innovation, investment, and policy solutions is essential to ensuring that every community—rural or urban—has access to reliable, high-speed broadband. I’m excited to collaborate with fellow members to build on this important mission and move us closer to universal connectivity for all Americans.”

England’s election to this key position, brings Wyoming to the table in so many ways in a rapidly expanding industry,” said Wyoming Senator Dan Dockstader. “In addition, it’s simply an honor for Star Valley to have him representing us through Silver Star at the national level. This company is a prime example of adapting to rapidly changing communications picture. And all of it coming from a Wyoming based company.”

In an interview with SVI Media, England said his role gives Star Valley and other rural areas a voice in national broadband policy discussions.

Not only will England be focused on representing rural areas, but he will be working to maintain the federal funding required for service in areas where costs would be unaffordable otherwise.

“If we were to charge all of the customers the true cost of providing service, it would make it unaffordable for most people in the valley,” he said. “We receive federal funds every year.”

In Afton, the $14.5 million fiber overbuild project along with the additional $3–4 million in improvements across other areas in Star Valley were only possible with monies from federal funding.

At the national level, England said USTelecom is currently focused on accelerating the release of funds from the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program, and promoting permitting reform to make broadband construction more feasible in areas surrounded by federal land.

The BEAD program represents a $42.5 billion federal initiative aimed at expanding high-speed internet access across the country. Wyoming’s share of that funding is approximately $300 million.

“There’s been a lot of federal red tape that has kind of been getting in the way of making those funds available to the states,” says England. “That’s one of our biggest advocacy efforts that we’re doing right – to release those funds so that people in Wyoming can start being beneficiaries of the program.”

He added that the permitting process—especially areas along scenic highways and federal forest—continues to be a challenge for rural providers.

“We’re working heavily with Senator [John] Barrasso’s office,” he said. Focusing on making it more affordable and accessible is “very relevant for us because much of what we build out in Star Valley and the surrounding areas is federal scenic highway.”

England encouraged residents who want to learn more or express interest in fiber service to visit silverstar.com/contacts or attend upcoming public meetings where project updates are shared.

“We understand the concerns and we’re doing the best that we can, but we’re just limited around how the business model works to be able to get to [everyone].” England encourages people to attend meetings to “get informed and express their thoughts.”

England called his appointment a significant honor for Silver Star and the community it serves.

“When you’ve got companies like AT&T or Verizon with their representatives on the board, to be called as the chair to organize all of us is a big honor,” he said. “It’s a reflection of the respect that we have as a small company in a big space.”

For more information about USTelecom’s leadership and broadband initiatives, visit ustelecom.org