Mr. Bednarek is PFN’s Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Treasurer. He has in excess of 30 years of experience in financial, business management engineering and construction. His prior experience includes positions at Prince Corporation, a supplier of interior components to the automobile industry, performing the roles of Production Team Supervisor, Quality Engineer, and Launch Quality Engineer. He also worked with Premeau Construction Inc., in Marquette, as Business Manager/Controller. In addition, he has built and run his own companies in the construction and landscaping industries. Mr. Bednarek earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan in 1990, with subsequent Master’s course work.

As Director of Sales & Marketing, Jason Bordeaux is responsible for leading, growing, and directly managing the PFN field sales organization. He will target markets and implement sales strategies as PFN continues to quickly add new customers in its rapidly growing footprint. In his role, his responsibilities also include developing core marketing strategies and building PFN brand awareness.

Bordeaux began his telecommunications industry career with Charter Communications where he spent nearly twenty-years as a nationally recognized, elite performer in various sales and leadership roles within the Enterprise, Carrier, National, and SMB teams. Most prominently, he served as Sr. Director of SMB Sales responsible for a 7-state region. Before joining PFN, he also managed the fiber-optic direct business sales unit of TDS Telecom in Southern Wisconsin.

Jason lives in Marquette, MI with his wife, Stephanie. In their free time, they enjoy traveling both regionally and abroad as well as spending time with their sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren.

Mr. Brogan is the President and CEO and member of the Board of Directors of Hiawatha Communications Inc. Mr. Brogan holds a Bachelor of Science, Business Administration degree along with an Associate of Arts, Computer Engineering Technology degree from Lake Superior State University where he serves as the Chairman of the Lukenda School of Business Professional Advisory Board. Jay is the Vice President and Secretary for PFN and is a member of the team responsible for creating PFN. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Telecommunications Association of Michigan for over 20 years and has taken leadership roles in many state and national industry committees. During his 35+ years in the communications industry he has also participated in multiple corporate, trade association, vendor and consultant organized conferences, forums, roundtables and training sessions related to every aspect of the communications industry. Jay is a life-long resident and community advocate of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (UP) and remains focused on economic development and improved quality of life efforts in the UP.

Jon French is PFN’s Director of OSP & Engineering. Jon and his staff oversee all aspects of PFN’s physical fiber plant engineering and construction. Jon has nearly 20 years in telecommunication/broadband engineering and construction management with both Baraga Telephone Company/UP.net and Peninsula Fiber Network. His extensive experience in both civil engineering and project management with Short Elliott Hendrickson (SEH) Inc, Coleman Engineering Company (CEC) and Michigan Technological University provides a firm foundation for the telecommunication/broadband construction industry. Jon received a Bachelor of Science degree in Geological Engineering and a Masters of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Michigan Technological University.

Jon is also a former Division I Michigan Technological University hockey player, US Army veteran, licensed hunting/fishing guide for the Wounded Warriors In Action Foundation, as well as Elkhorn Outfitters International, a certified State of Michigan Hunter Safety Instructor, a junior hockey coach, and President of the Copper Country Junior Hockey Association (CCJHA).

Mark Graf is a highly experienced geological and financial professional with over thirty years of experience to his name. He began his career serving seven years in the oil field with Schlumberger before moving on to the manufacturing industry. During his 14-year tenure in the industry, he was successfully appointed to the Board of Directors of Barry County Telephone Company (BCTC) and later took on the role of managing their day-to-day operations in 2008. Under his leadership, he expanded the company's wireless network MEI and the TIS Billing System, as well as helped grow the company’s markets by building fiber outside of the ILEC.

In 2015, he was appointed as the General Manager of the Winn Communication companies, where he successfully restructured the company by focusing on core businesses while shedding unprofitable segments.

Mark's efforts to sell Winn's companies to PFN allowed him to remain as the General Manager of Winn's operations. He is currently working with the PFN management team to integrate the two companies and capitalize on their synergies.

Mark holds a Bachelor's degree in Geology from Albion College and an MBA from Western Michigan University with a concentration in corporate finance.

As Vice President of Government Affairs, Jennifer is responsible for developing, leading, and executing legislative strategy for PFN. She enhances the policy brand of PFN through economic development partnerships and authentic relationships with policymakers on the local, state, and national level. In this role, Jennifer also serves as the advisor to the CEO and Board of Directors on matters of legislative consequence.

Prior to joining PFN in 2021, Jennifer represented the interests of Michigan’s rural telecommunications industry for 23 years. Jennifer is known for her ability to present complex, technical information in a way that is understandable to everyone. Her advocacy efforts on telecommunications policy have earned her a reputation as an honest, straightforward, and hard-working advocate. Jennifer began her career with positions in the Michigan Senate and House of Representatives.

A graduate of Michigan State University, Jennifer lives in Lansing with her husband, Tony and their three children. In her free time, Jennifer is an avid reader and baker. She also enjoys exploring Michigan’s natural wonders through camping and hiking adventures with her family.

Cory Heigl serves as the General Manager of Peninsula Fiber Network. With over 25 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, Cory brings a wealth of knowledge in driving business growth, managing large-scale operations, and leading teams to success. Prior to joining PFN, he held the position of Vice President at Astrea Connect, where he played a crucial role in overseeing strategy, operations, and revenue growth.

Cory's extensive expertise in Outside Plant (OSP) construction and business development positions him well to lead PFN as it expands its fiber optic network throughout the Great Lakes region. His strategic vision and technical understanding are essential as the company aims to enhance its service offerings while maintaining a commitment to high-quality telecommunications solutions.

A graduate of Michigan Tech University, where he studied Scientific and Technical Communications, Cory has held various leadership roles throughout his career, including serving as President of the Norway-Vulcan Area Schools Board of Education and being a member of the Vistage Organization. He is passionate about delivering reliable, state-of-the-art fiber services and is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of innovation in the telecommunications landscape.

Mr. Inal is Vice President of Baraga Telephone Company and serves on the executive management committee for PFN as an Engineering and Corporate Strategy Advisor.

Mr. Inal began his career with Caterpillar, Inc., in 2005, where he was the Senior Engineer and Six Sigma Black Belt Team Lead. In February 2009, Mr. Inal left Caterpillar and began employment with Baraga Telephone Company, where he remains as its Vice President. Mr. Inal holds a PHD in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Technical University. In addition, Mr. Inal currently serves at the Chairman of the Board for BHK Child Development Agency (January 2012 – present), in Houghton, Michigan, and is the basketball coach for Special Olympics (2011-present) in Baraga, Michigan.

David McCartney (“Dave”) is Special Consultant and a member of the Board of Directors of Peninsula Fiber Network LLC. Dave has been with PFN since its beginning and served as its first General Manager. In 2021 he assumed his current role where he is responsible for providing guidance to PFN’s management team.

Mr. McCartney is a CPA and has over 40 years of experience in telecommunications policy, regulatory, financial management, and corporate structure. His experience spans both regulated and deregulated telecommunications operations and management. His expertise includes all aspects of FCC Part 32 accounting rules and structures as well as the Rural Utility Service and US Government single audit and related documentation requirements. Mr. McCartney was the original architect of PFN, working with Hiawatha Communications Inc and Baraga Telephone Company to form PFN as a joint venture between the two companies. Mr. McCartney has a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Michigan Technical University and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame du Lac.

Tim McKee is the NG-911 Program Director for Peninsula Fiber Network and leads a highly qualified and professional team experienced in 911 and emergency services. Mr. McKee was the 911 Central Dispatch Director and Emergency Management Coordinator for Chippewa County for 17 years prior to joining PFN. He has served on several advisory boards including the State 911 Dispatcher Training subcommittee, and the Upper Peninsula 911 Authority Board which was instrumental in bringing NG-911 to Michigan. He is the Governor’s appointee to the State 911 Committee and is chair of the Emerging Technologies Subcommittee. He also served as a police chief for 18 years in Kinross Township in the Eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He received his college degree from Finlandia University and attended Michigan State University.

Todd Proehl is Director of Technical Operations for Peninsula Fiber Network. Todd’s primary goal is to use his 20 years of industry experience to provide PFN’s customers with the most reliable and highest quality telecommunications service available while keeping a focus on customer service. During his time at PFN he has helped expand services throughout Lower Michigan, across Wisconsin and into Minnesota as well as worked to deploy Next Generation 911 to 176 dispatch center sites in Michigan. His background includes multiple engineering positions at Charter Communications where he led teams through the buildout of network to support new broadband markets, telephony, and Video On Demand (VOD). In addition, Todd has served as Network and Security Manager for Hagerty Insurance, the world’s largest provider of specialty insurance for classic vehicles. Todd received a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Northern Michigan University. Todd, his wife Tamulin, and their two children live in Marquette, MI.

Mr. Stark, President of PFN, began his career with Schulumberger Offshore Services working as a Field Engineer in the North Sea in 1974. In 1984 he became an Engineer at Baraga Telephone Company (BTC). Baraga Telephone Company began providing dial-up internet services through the telephone exchange in 1995. Mr. Stark oversaw the development of high-speed internet (DSL) service at BTC. Along with being the President and General Manager of Baraga Telephone, he served four terms as the President of the Village of Baraga. Mr. Stark holds a BS degree in Electrical Engineering and Master’s degree in Geophysics from Michigan Technical University.

Thom Sumbler joined PFN in its start-up phase in 2008. He is in charge of the Sales, Business Development, and Product Development operations for Peninsula Fiber Network, LLC. In this position, Mr. Sumbler is responsible for development and expansion of the PFN markets, product development, and corporate strategy.

Mr. Sumbler has nearly 44 years of experience in the development of US domestic telecommunications networks and related technology companies with an emphasis on carrier core networking and Metro Ethernet service delivery. Mr. Sumbler has architectured three highly successful start-up companies and has also held several executive management positions with two major US networks. Throughout his career, he has concentrated his efforts heavily on inter-carrier, network overlay, trade, and joint venture arrangements.

Mr. Tidd is the Chief Technical Officer of Peninsula Fiber Network and oversees all technical operations including project management, contract negotiations for new business ventures, day-to-day operations of the Network Operations Center and plant technicians, and makes executive decisions with regard to the technological interests of the company. He is also responsible for creating the overall technology standards of the business and ensuring adherence to these standards. He attended Minnesota State Community College and from there, he began his employment with Hiawatha Communications Inc. in 1976 as a line technician. From 1981-1984 he was the owner and operator of Telecom Contractors LLC in Anaheim, California. During his tenure, he has held several positions including Outside Plant Supervisor and Network Manager. Since 2005 he has been the Vice President and Chief Technical Officer at Hiawatha Communications Inc. and is also a Board Member of both Hiawatha Communications Inc. and Peninsula Fiber Network.

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