Sachin Gupta, Vice President of Business and Technology Strategies at Centranet, a subsidiary of Central Rural Electric Cooperative, has been named one of 57 Scholars who will form the Presidential Leadership Scholars’ (PLS) 10th annual class.

For the past decade, PLS has brought together more than 500 diverse, established leaders to collaborate and make a difference in the world as they learn about leadership through the lens of the presidential experiences of George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson.

The class was selected after a rigorous application and review process. Scholars were chosen based on their leadership growth potential and the strength of their personal leadership projects aimed at addressing a critical challenge or need in a community, profession or organization.

“I am honored and proud to have been selected for this program, which brings together a diverse set of leaders to learn from one another,” Gupta said. “America derives its strength and sense of purpose from its diversity and the variety of opinions it encompasses. The Presidential Leadership Scholars program is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of leaders in America.”

Gupta is the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s (NRECA) representative on the Federal Communications Commission’s Technological Advisory Council (FCC TAC), a board director for the American Association for Public Broadband (AAPB) and is part of the NRECA’s Steering Advisory Group, where he advises the organization’s broadband leadership on operational and strategic priority areas. He is also a board member of the Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) and a voting member of the Oklahoma Broadband Expansion Council (OBEC).

With more than 21 years of diverse experience in product management, business development and marketing for large government contractors, Gupta has worked with government officials in 32 countries, advocating for networked smart defense and security solutions. He has spoken at multiple domestic and international conferences, addressing various technical, legislative and regulatory issues, and is well-published in several national broadband publications. Additionally, he represents Oklahoma’s Cooperative Broadband Coalition, advancing its agenda at both state and federal levels.

Gupta holds a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Telecommunications Management from Oklahoma State University.

During the six-month program, Gupta will develop his initiative focused on workforce development for tribal members. He hopes to bring digital opportunities of the future to tribal lands, which consistently have low engagement in high tech industries.

“We are incredibly proud of Sachin for being selected as a Presidential Leadership Scholar,” said Mark Prather, President of Centranet. “Sachin’s unwavering commitment to expanding broadband access and his innovative leadership have been instrumental to Centranet’s success. This prestigious program will offer him invaluable insights and connections, further strengthening his leadership capabilities and ultimately benefiting our community and beyond.”

Over the course of the program, Scholars will travel to each participating presidential center to learn from former presidents, key former administration officials, business and civic leaders, and leading academics. They will study and put into practice varying approaches to leadership and exchange ideas to help strengthen their impact.

Scholars have consistently reported remarkable growth in skills, responsibilities, and opportunities for impact since the program began in 2015. For example, 96% of Scholars said their confidence in how they lead social change has improved as a result of PLS, and 97% of Scholars reported they are inspired to accomplish more since beginning the program.

The 2025 program will begin on Jan. 29.

###

About Presidential Leadership Scholars: The Presidential Leadership Scholars program is a partnership among the presidential centers of George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson. To learn more, visit www.presidentialleadershipscholars.org. For updates about the Presidential Leadership Scholars, use #PLScholars and follow @PLSprogram on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram.

Four projects totaling $24.6 million for high-speed internet expansion were officially launched Monday morning in Wellston by the Oklahoma Broadband Office (OBO) and internet service provider Centranet.

The projects, funded through $16.4 million in federal grants administered by the OBO coupled with $8.2 million in matching contributions from Centranet, will connect 1,940 homes and businesses with broadband internet using fiber optic technology. The awards from ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) were made earlier this year by the Oklahoma Broadband Governing Board.

Monday’s event provides a few examples of the progress being made statewide to get high-speed internet access to all Oklahomans. Centranet projects are scheduled in Lincoln, Logan, Oklahoma and Payne counties.

The Lincoln County project, which includes Wellston, totals $9.4 million and will connect almost 1,000 homes and businesses to high-speed internet. OBO and Centranet officials, along with local legislators and municipal officials attended the event.

“Today’s launch is more than just the laying of fiber – it’s the foundation for opportunity, growth, and connectivity in every corner of Oklahoma. With each mile of broadband we expand, we’re not just bridging a digital divide, we’re empowering our communities for a brighter, more prosperous future,” said OBO Executive Director Mike Sanders.

“Centranet is thrilled to partner with the Oklahoma Broadband Office to bring high-speed internet to underserved communities across the state,” said Mark Prather, Centranet President. “This project is more than just infrastructure; it’s an investment in Oklahoma’s future and is a catalyst for economic growth and job creation in Oklahoma. By improving connectivity, we’re attracting new businesses, fostering innovation, and creating opportunities for Oklahomans. Centranet is proud to play a role in shaping a brighter future for our great state.”

ARPA-SLFRF-awarded grant projects will result in some 50,000 homes and businesses statewide being served with affordable and reliable high-speed internet. But the growth of broadband access across Oklahoma is just beginning.

In September, the Governing Board gave tentative approval to more than $159 million in ARPA Capital Projects Fund grants to 12 internet service providers for 50 projects in 28 counties.

ISPs are now competing for more than $750 million in additional grant funds through the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program.

With tens of thousands of locations to be served through OBO administered programs, the office is on pace to complete its mission of achieving statewide coverage.

Flat Armadillo Trading Co. rests in the heart of Purcell, OK’s bustling Main St. The sign over the door advertises antiques, vintage items and home décor, but thanks to dependable Wi-Fi, the store provides a much broader shopping experience.

Owner Ashley Huff founded the business in January 2021 after failing to find booth space elsewhere. When the 134 W Main St building became available, she and her husband saw the perfect opportunity to turn their love of “junking” into a profitable business.

Walking through the space today, it’s hard to believe it was once the local feed store. An array of bright colors and lively music have replaced bags of feed pellets and seeds, giving the store new life around every corner.

“Customers can expect to find a fun, family-friendly, exciting atmosphere,” said Huff. “We always try to keep it light.”

The shop’s over 40 vendors inhabit booths that were hand-built by Huff’s husband. Each one offers its own brand of adventure while catering to the vendor’s style and the community’s needs.

“(We) serve the community with whatever they need,” Huff said. “We have boutiques, antiques, vintage and home decor. We even have a small fishing section. Everything that anyone could want.”

With such an eclectic offering, it’s easy to see why this growing business needs reliable internet.

“Everything to run this place runs on Wi-Fi,” Huff said. “My computer, my printer, my security camera, our credit card machine… everything (uses Wi-Fi).”

With so many crucial functions depending on the internet, OEC Fiber’s service proves vital for this business.

“With our old internet provider, the wind blew too hard, and it would go down. It was slow. I can count on my fiber internet now with OEC. I haven’t had any issues with it, and that is the honest truth.”

Besides speed and reliability, Huff particularly appreciates OEC Fiber’s commitment to communicating with our subscribers.

“That is the number one thing,” Huff said. “They communicate what they’re going to do, when they’re going to do it, and how they’re going to do it. If they need to work on it or something has happened, they send an email. They let you know what’s happening. And that’s what I really love.”

With clear communication and reliable internet service, Flat Armadillo Trading Co. brings various goods to Purcell. Their light-hearted atmosphere and desire to serve sets them apart in the world of breathing new life into older things.

More than 200 guests and speakers from 30 states and Canada attended the Cooperative Broadband Coalition’s second annual Connected Oklahoma – Rural Broadband Summit in Oklahoma City on October 8-9, 2024. The CBC brought together rural network operators, public officials, tribal nations, speakers and vendors to discuss opportunities to better serve broadband in rural areas.

The Oklahoma Broadband Office Executive Director Mike Sanders attended and was among the prestigious group of speakers. “Nineteen out of every 20 unserved and underserved homes in Oklahoma are outside of Oklahoma City and Tulsa,” Sanders said. “Without the hard work of organizations in this room, serving rural Oklahoma would not get done.”

The Oklahoma Broadband Office administers federal grant programs to ensure reliable and affordable, high-speed internet is available to all Oklahomans.

“To date, the governing board has awarded half a billion dollars to service providers to perform the work,” Sanders said. “We have over $750 million dollars that will go out next year.”

In addition to Mike Sanders, attendees heard from Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association; Gigi Sohn, Executive Director of the American Association of Public Broadband; Sarah Bleau, Director of the Middle Mile Program for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration; Christopher Ali, Professor of Telecommunications at Penn State; and many others.

Directors of the Arkansas, Virginia, New Mexico and Kansas broadband offices provided updates on how their states are deploying Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) funding. Some topics discussed included: smart grids and broadband, the Universal Service Fund, middle mile, rural innovation and interagency mapping coordination.

The CBC unites 11 electric cooperatives with fiber subsidiaries in the state of Oklahoma. Collectively, these cooperatives have built more than 22,000 miles of fiber and serve 300,000 Oklahomans in rural areas. This is a significant achievement and investment in the quality of life for rural Oklahoma and the state’s economy. Visit cooperativebroadband.coop for more information.

SLICK – Two high-speed internet expansion projects worth $4.8 million were launched Tuesday afternoon in the town of Slick in Creek County by the Oklahoma Broadband Office (OBO) and ecoLINK fiber services. 

The projects, funded through $2.9 million in federal grants administered by the OBO coupled with $1.9 million in matching funds from ecoLINK, a subsidiary of East Central Electric Coop, will connect 265 homes and businesses in Creek County with broadband internet using fiber optic technology. The awards from ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) were made earlier this year by the Oklahoma Broadband Governing Board.

Tuesday’s event illustrates the progress being made statewide to get high-speed internet access to all Oklahomans. In Creek County, six SLFRF grants were awarded to five internet service providers (ISPs) to connect 1,602 locations with broadband service. The grant awards total $9.8 million and will be boosted by $22.4 million in matching funds provided by the companies.

OBO officials, along with local legislators, ecoLINK employees and staff of Oklahoma’s congressional delegation attended the groundbreaking in the town of about 150 people southwest of Tulsa.

“Bringing high-speed internet service to Slick illustrates the exact purpose of our efforts and marks a pivotal step in bridging the digital divide for rural Oklahoma. This work will not only enhance connectivity but also empower the local community with new opportunities for progress and development,” said Dr. Jim Meek, chair of the state’s Broadband Governing Board.

“Expanding broadband access in Slick and throughout rural Oklahoma will unlock new opportunities for education, healthcare, and business, fostering growth and innovation. This investment ensures that every resident can get connected and thrive in the modern digital age,” said OBO Executive Director Mike Sanders.

“The Legislature directed grant funds be used for expanding broadband access because we recognized the crucial need for economic growth and educational opportunities in this district and throughout the state. By connecting our communities to the resources they need, we help them to prosper in the modern economy and ensure that no one is left behind,” said House Speaker Pro Tempore Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow.

“This groundbreaking in Slick is a testament to the Legislature’s commitment to rural revitalization through strategic investments. By ensuring the availability of high-speed internet, we are laying the foundation for sustained economic growth and improved quality of life in Creek County and across Oklahoma,” said Senator Roger Thompson, R-Okemah.

“This project is similar to when the co-ops first brought electricity to rural homes and farms. It made such a difference in the lives of those who had been overlooked or refused service. Now, over 85 years later, we are able to provide another valuable service to households across our territory thanks to the help of the Oklahoma Broadband Office,” said Tim Smith, Chief Executive Officer of East Central Electric.

ARPA-SLFRF-awarded grant projects will result in some 50,000 homes and businesses statewide being served with affordable and reliable high-speed internet. But the growth of broadband access across Oklahoma is just beginning.

ISPs are currently competing in the Capital Projects Fund (CPF), which has $159 million available for infrastructure projects. Some 150 competitive proposals have been submitted by nearly 40 different companies.

Following CPF, ISPs will compete for more than $750 million in additional grant funds through the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program.

With tens of thousands of locations to be served through OBO administered programs, the office is on pace to complete its mission of achieving statewide coverage.