Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen announced his appointment of Patrick Haggerty yesterday as the state’s first broadband director. Haggerty will lead the Nebraska Broadband Office which will coordinate broadband deployment across the state. Pillen said he established the Office of the Director of Broadband as part of his executive Cabinet.
“Patrick’s many years of executive level experience in the telecommunications and government relations fields uniquely positions him to lead our efforts to bring reliable and affordable high-speed internet to all Nebraskans,” said Gov. Jim Pillen. “The Broadband Office will connect Nebraska, coordinating efforts across state and federal programs to ensure there is an innovative vision and execution capable of bringing broadband services to our rural communities.”
Haggerty has served in a variety of positions with Qwest Communications, CenturyLink and Charter Communications. He most recently served as the regional senior director for State Government Affairs over Illinois, Indiana and Minnesota. Haggerty will assume his new duties July 17.
“We are at a pivotal time, where a strategic and coordinated approach to broadband deployment is vital,” Haggerty said. “As someone who grew up in Nebraska and built a career serving rural America, I am thankful for the opportunity to return to Nebraska with a focus of bringing high-speed internet to all Nebraskans.”
