Kansas CEO Ben Foster to Lead National Rural Broadband Push Amid Change

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – January 08, 2026 – Ben Foster, the executive who transformed a family-owned Kansas telecom into the state's largest independent broadband provider, has been appointed to chair the board of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association. The move places a proven regional leader at the forefront of the national effort to connect rural America, at a time when the industry faces a complex policy landscape and a significant leadership transition.

Foster, President and CEO of Twin Valley and its sister company ISG Technology, takes the helm of the association representing approximately 850 independent, community-based broadband companies across the United States. His appointment comes at a critical juncture, as federal funds from programs like the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program begin to flow and the industry grapples with the long-term sustainability of essential support mechanisms.

A Pivotal Moment for Rural Connectivity

Foster's chairmanship begins as the NTCA pushes toward its ambitious goal: achieving universal access to robust, reliable, and affordable broadband in rural America by 2030. This mission is set against a backdrop of intense policy debate in Washington. While the Supreme Court upheld the crucial Universal Service Fund (USF) in 2025, discussions around its reform continue, and providers are warily watching proposed budget cuts to other vital programs like the USDA's ReConnect Program.

Navigating this environment will be central to Foster's role as he advocates for policies that support the small, community-focused providers responsible for laying fiber in the nation's most challenging and sparsely populated areas. These companies are already making significant strides; a 2025 NTCA survey revealed that nearly 92% of their members' customers have access to speeds of 100 Mbps or greater, far exceeding the current federal definition of broadband.

"I'm honored to continue serving NTCA's rural broadband membership at a pivotal time," Foster said in a statement. "Alongside the ongoing work to strengthen the association, we'll continue advocating for policies that support rural providers and the communities they serve. The work ahead is about ensuring rural America is prepared to meet rising connectivity demands and can fully participate in an increasingly digital world."

From Local Roots to National Leadership

Foster’s ascent to national leadership is built on a foundation of dramatic growth and deep investment in his home state. Since taking the helm as CEO in 2011, he has overseen a more than 1,000% expansion of Twin Valley through strategic investments and acquisitions. Over the past decade, the company has poured more than $100 million into expanding its fiber-optic network across rural Kansas.

Key moves under his leadership include the 2011 acquisition of ISG Technology, which he transformed from a regional IT reseller into a national managed IT and cloud services provider, and the landmark 2021 acquisition of Southern Kansas Telephone (SKT). That deal united the two largest privately-held telecommunications companies in Kansas, cementing Twin Valley's position as an independent powerhouse.

This is not Foster's first turn in a national leadership role. He has a long history of service with NTCA, having previously served on its board from 2011 to 2014, where he was instrumental in supporting the unification of the association with OPASTCO, another small telecom advocacy group. His deep experience as an operator who has successfully deployed fiber and navigated the economics of rural service gives him significant credibility among his peers and with policymakers.

Navigating a Generational Leadership Transition

Beyond the external policy challenges, Foster's immediate task involves steering the association through a significant internal change. His term as chair begins as NTCA's long-serving CEO, Shirley Bloomfield, prepares to retire at the end of March 2026 after 36 years with the organization, the last 16 as its chief executive. Bloomfield is widely credited with elevating the profile of rural broadband, launching initiatives like the Smart Rural Community program, and tirelessly advocating for the providers NTCA represents.

Foster is playing a direct role in ensuring a smooth handover. He is a member of the board's search committee, which has retained the executive search firm Carter-Baldwin to find Bloomfield's successor. The proactive process, part of the association's 2025 strategic plan, aims to maintain momentum and stability during the transition.

"Shirley has had an incredibly distinguished career, advancing rural broadband policy and helping ensure rural providers' voices are heard at every level of government," Foster commented. "I'm grateful for her leadership, and I'm confident our board will keep NTCA moving forward through this leadership transition."

For her part, Bloomfield expressed confidence in the new board leadership. "I want to congratulate Ben on his new leadership role and thank him for his continued service to the industry," she stated. "I am confident that the NTCA board, guided by the strategic plan we unveiled in 2025, is well positioned to lead the association into its next chapter."

The Path to 2030: Challenges and Opportunities

As board chair, Foster will lead a team of officers including Vice Chair Ross Petrick of Alliance Communications Cooperative and Secretary-Treasurer Jennifer Prather of Totelcom Communications. Their collective task is to guide the nearly 850 member companies toward the 2030 universal access goal while ensuring their long-term sustainability.

This involves more than just laying fiber; it's about building future-proof networks capable of handling the demands of artificial intelligence, advanced telehealth, precision agriculture, and other next-generation applications. The work of NTCA members is critical to closing a digital divide that remains one of the nation's most significant demographic gaps.

Foster's leadership, forged in the rural communities of Kansas and tested through years of industry advocacy, will be central to this effort. His dual challenge is to champion the cause of independent providers in the halls of power while simultaneously overseeing a seamless leadership change at the very association that gives them a voice, ensuring the mission to connect every corner of rural America continues without missing a beat.