Texas Rural Broadband Association

The Texas Rural Broadband Association was honored to recognize several very special members for their commitment and support of TRBA and the telecommunications industry over the years.

These awards highlight individuals whose dedication, leadership, and advocacy have strengthened TRBA and advanced rural telecommunications. Each recipient has gone above and beyond in support of our mission, leaving a lasting impact on our association and the communities we serve.

𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬:
🔹𝘼𝙨𝙨𝙤𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙈𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙔𝙚𝙖𝙧 – David Brooks, Calix
🔹𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱– Sharon Minor, Baker Tilley and Don Richards, Richards, Elder & Frost pllc
🔹𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 – Mark Washington, 5 Area Connect

Together, these awards remind us that progress is possible because of the people—our members, partners, and advocates—who dedicate their time, energy, and passion to advancing rural broadband.

💙 𝐓𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫. 💙

This week, board members of the Texas Rural Broadband Association joined the incredible team at Hill Country Telephone Cooperative to present a check in support of ongoing flood relief efforts.

Thanks to the generosity of TRBA members and partners from across the country, more than $70,000 was raised to help the HCTC community recover from the devastating July 4 floods.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who gave, shared, and supported this effort. Your kindness and compassion are a reminder that when challenges arise, communities rally together.

We want to extend our deepest thanks to everyone who has supported our friends at Hill Country Telephone Cooperative following the devastating July 4 floods.

From prayers to resources to boots on the ground, your generosity and willingness to help reflect the true spirit of our industry, and has allowed TRBA to pass along a significant financial contribution to the recovery efforts.

We are proud to be part of a community that shows up when it matters most. 💙💙💙💙💙

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐬! 🙌

As part of our Women in Telecom series at TRBA, Martine reminded us of something so many of us needed to hear: 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲—𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗬𝗢𝗨.

In a world that glorifies the hustle, Martine challenged us to pause, realign, and choose a version of success that doesn’t cost us our well-being.

Whether you joined us live or missed it, we encourage you to watch the replay. And if you're feeling the pull to shift from survival mode to a life and career that feels more aligned and sustainable—reach out to Martine. She's the real deal.

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺. 💛

☀️ 𝙎𝒖𝙢𝒎𝙚𝒓 𝑻𝙚𝒄𝙝 𝙏𝒊𝙥:
Heading out for vacation? Before you leave, set up automatic software updates on your devices. This helps keep your smartphone, tablet, and computer secure while you’re away — and means one less thing to worry about when you get back!

👉 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐯𝐚𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧?

✅ Security — Updates often patch security vulnerabilities. If you’re traveling and using unfamiliar or public networks, having the latest protections helps keep your data safe.

✅ Peace of mind — Nobody wants their device to automatically update in the middle of a trip (and possibly fail or lock you out). Doing it before you leave ensures everything works smoothly when you need it.

✅ Performance — Updates can fix bugs and improve battery life — perfect for when you’re on the go and can’t always plug in.

✅ Travel apps — Updating ensures your maps, airline apps, or hotel booking tools are working correctly with the latest features while you travel.

🌟 𝐓𝐑𝐁𝐀 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐬 𝐄𝐝𝐠𝐞 🌟
Get ready to recharge, refocus, and reimagine the future of Texas broadband at the TRBA Future’s Retreat — The Texas Edge: Strategy, Insight & Innovation.
This exclusive retreat is crafted for General Managers, CEOs, executive-level staff, and board members to step away from day-to-day operations and engage in meaningful dialogue and forward-focused planning.
📍 Inn of the Mountain Gods | August 13–14
✨ What to expect:
✅ State & federal funding opportunities
✅ Navigating emerging regulatory landscapes
✅ Strategic economic development initiatives
✅ Peer collaboration and future-focused discussions
We’ll tee things off on August 12 with optional golf networking, followed by two days of collaborative sessions designed to equip you with the insights, strategies, and actionable ideas you need to lead with confidence.

Don’t miss this chance to shape what’s next for Texas broadband!
👉 https://www.txrba.com/trbaevents/futuresretreat

🙏 Our hearts are with the Texas Hill Country

Severe flooding has impacted so many families, businesses, and communities across the Hill Country. The Texas Rural Broadband Association sends our thoughts and prayers to everyone affected. We stand with you and hope for safety, strength, and a swift recovery.

🇺🇸 𝙃𝒂𝙥𝒑𝙮 4𝒕𝙝 𝙤𝒇 𝑱𝙪𝒍𝙮! 🇺🇸

The board of directors and staff of the Texas Rural Broadband Association wish you a safe, joyful, and patriotic Independence Day. As we celebrate the freedoms we cherish, we remain committed to connecting rural Texans and strengthening the communities we serve.

Enjoy the fireworks, family, and festivities!

🌟 𝐓𝐑𝐁𝐀 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐬 𝐄𝐝𝐠𝐞 🌟

Get ready to recharge, refocus, and reimagine the future of Texas broadband at the TRBA Future’s Retreat — The Texas Edge: Strategy, Insight & Innovation.

This exclusive retreat is crafted for General Managers, CEOs, executive-level staff, and board members to step away from day-to-day operations and engage in meaningful dialogue and forward-focused planning.

📍 Inn of the Mountain Gods | August 13–14

✨ What to expect:
✅ State & federal funding opportunities
✅ Navigating emerging regulatory landscapes
✅ Strategic economic development initiatives
✅ Peer collaboration and future-focused discussions

We’ll tee things off on August 12 with optional golf networking, followed by two days of collaborative sessions designed to equip you with the insights, strategies, and actionable ideas you need to lead with confidence.

Don’t miss this chance to shape what’s next for Texas broadband!

👉 https://www.txrba.com/trbaevents/futuresretreat

🎉 Welcome to the TRBA Family! 🎉

We’re thrilled to welcome our newest Associate Members to the Texas Rural Broadband Association! Your commitment to innovation, service, and supporting rural connectivity strengthens our mission and makes our community even stronger. 💪🌐

Please join us in giving a big TRBA welcome to:
🔹 Budco
🔹 Fiber Broadband Association
🔹 Harmonic
🔹 JKL Associates, Inc.
🔹 Light Brigade
🔹 Power Storage Solutions
🔹 Reliance Engineering Services
🔹 RLM Underground
🔹 TAK Broadband
🔹 Wesco
🔹 WinnCom

We’re excited to partner with you to advance broadband across rural Texas. Let’s get to work! 🙌