NEK Broadband, a nonprofit organization working to bring reliable high-speed broadband to the Northeast Kingdom and the town of Wolcott, has hired Marc Hughes as operations project manager and Erik Townsend as geographic information system specialist and project manager.
Hughes joins NEK Broadband from Verizon Wireless, where he served as operations manager. An Army veteran and former E-3 senior airman in the 282nd Combat Communications Squadron, he brings more than three decades of telecommunications experience to the organization.
“I’m looking forward to bringing my skills to the NEK Broadband district,” Hughes said. “I’m excited to work on bringing broadband to the underserved in the region.”
Townsend comes to NEK Broadband with 15 years of GIS experience in the natural resources and forestry professions, earning a Geographic Information Systems Professional Certification in 2015. Prior to becoming an employee, he was the district’s board member representing the town of Westmore, where he is also a lister, E911 coordinator and tree warden.
“I’m proud to be part of an organization bringing high-speed internet to the area,” said Townsend. “Bridging the digital divide is key to thriving rural communities, schools and businesses.”