Fiber Connect 25th Anniversary awards Gala
Step into the spotlight at the Fiber Connect 25th Anniversary Awards Gala, a black-tie celebration of the people and innovations lighting up our industry. Enjoy a red-carpet welcome with passed hors d’oeuvres and drinks before an elegant dinner and live entertainment set the stage for our signature awards. We’ll close the evening with dueling pianos, giving you the perfect setting to toast 25 years of progress, partnership, and fiber-fueled vision.
25th Anniversary Awards Gala Schedule – May 19th
- Red Carpet Welcome
- 6:30 – 7:00 pm Passed Hor D’oeuvres and Beer & Wine Bar
- 7:00 – 8:10 pm Welcome & Awards
- Accompanied with Dinner Service & Entertainment
- 8:10 pm Closing Remarks
- 8:15 – 10:00 pm Dessert Stations & Dueling Pianos
Tickets
Tickets are required to attend the Fiber Broadband Association 25th Anniversary Awards Gala and can be added during Fiber Connect 2026 registration. If you have already registered for Fiber Connect, you may add a ticket through the link in your registration confirmation email.
2026 Fiber Broadband Association Awards
Chair’s Award
Honors an individual or company that shows exceptional effort to promote, educate, or accelerate fiber to the home.
Selection: No nominations. The FBA Board Chair selects the recipient.
Photon Award
Honors an individual whose volunteer service demonstrates exceptional dedication to the Association and the industry.
Selection: Nominations reviewed by the FBA Conference Committee and the FBA Board.
Finalists
- Paul Breakman, VP of Americas Partners & Business Development — Adtran
- Patrick Mulhearn, Director of Government Affairs — Ripple Fiber
- Tzeitel Buchanan, Lead, Tribal Center of Excellence — Lumen
Star Award
Recognizes a company or community that goes above and beyond in advancing fiber to the home.
Selection: Nominations reviewed by the FBA Conference Committee and the FBA Board.
Finalists
- EMPOWER Broadband
- Ripple Fiber
- Surf Internet
Gene Scott
Education Award
Recognizes a person, community, or institution that has made a significant impact on fiber industry education.
Selection: Nominations reviewed by the FBA Education Committee.
Fiber Under Forty
Spotlights professionals born in 1986 or later whose contributions are driving meaningful results for their companies and the industry.
Selection: Nominations reviewed by the FBA Conference Committee and FBA Senior Council.
Finalists
- Alex King, Director of Broadband — Blue Ridge Mountain EMC
- Matt Peaster, EVP of Fiber — C Spire
- Amber Rodriguez, Senior Director of Growth Marketing — Surf Internet
Women Changing
Fiber for Good
Celebrates women whose leadership and actions are improving the industry in lasting ways.
Selection: Nominations reviewed by the FBA Conference Committee and FBA Senior Council.
Finalists
- Tzeitel Buchanan, Lead, Tribal Center of Excellence — Lumen
- Kristy Harrison, Executive Vice President of Operations — Brightspeed
- Smruti Naik, Vice President of Information Technology — Summit Broadband
Advocacy Allstar
Honors individuals advancing fiber broadband policy at state and federal levels.
Selection: Nominations reviewed by the FBA Conference Committee and FBA Senior Council.
Finalists
- Chris Champion, Vice President of Government Relations — C Spire
- Bobbie Gilbert, Chief Government Affairs Officer — Ripple Fiber
- Rhonda Goddard, CFO — Nex-Tech
Community Impact
Recognizes fiber projects that enable communities and change lives across North America.
Selection: Nominations reviewed by the FBA Conference Committee and FBA Senior Council.
Finalists
- ALLO Fiber — Smart Schools Program
- LFT Fiber
- Surf Internet
Product Innovation
Showcases technology innovation that expands fiber broadband’s ability to meet customer needs today and over the next decade.
Selection: Nominations reviewed by the FBA Conference Committee and FBA Senior Council.
Finalists
- Adtran Mosaic One Clarity
- EPB Quantum Networks®
- GOCare OutageIQ
Constellation
Celebrates coalitions of companies that teamed up to advance fiber networks across communities, states, or regions.
Selection: Nominations reviewed by the FBA Conference Committee and FBA Senior Council.
Finalists
- ADB Companies and Render Networks
- Adtran / GOCare / TEC
- Position Access Solutions and Calix
Nominations
Nominations open January 26 and close March 13. Each nominee must be part of an FBA member company.
- Finalists will be announced April 6.
- Award recipients will be announced at the Fiber Connect 25th Anniversary Awards Gala
For membership information, contact the Membership Team at membership@fiberbroadband.org.
Award Selection Process
The Chairman’s Award is selected by the FBA Board Chair. All other awards are chosen from nominations submitted during the January 26 and close March 13. The FBA Board and relevant committees review all submissions and select finalists. FBA Senior Council then evaluate finalists and select winners based on each award’s criteria. Winners are revealed at the Fiber Broadband Association 25th Anniversary Gala during Fiber Connect 2026.
Additional Industry Awards
These awards are presented by their respective organizations and will be acknowledged during the Fiber Broadband Association 25th Anniversary Gala.
- Lightwave FTTxcellence Award
All-Fiber Network Provider Accreditation
Members operating networks with at least 90% fiber may apply for accreditation. Newly accredited members will be recognized during the general session at Fiber Connect. Learn how to apply through FBA membership resources.