NTCA Presents Awards to Senator Capito and Broadband Leader Greg Hale for Outstanding Advocacy

NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association this week presented Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and broadband executive Greg Hale with awards for their leadership in advocating for policies that support community-based broadband providers and the communities they serve.

2026 Rural Broadband Champion of the Year Award: Sen. Capito was honored for her leadership in supporting policies that enable community-based providers to build, maintain and sustain networks that empower their communities to thrive. This includes her leadership on the Rural Broadband Protection Act, which recently passed both chambers of Congress and will require a more thorough vetting process for providers seeking to participate in the FCC's high-cost Universal Service Fund (USF) program.

Grassroots Advocate of the Year Award: Greg Hale, CEO of LTC Connect (Auburn, Ky.), was honored for the critical role he has played in NTCA's advocacy efforts over his career. Hale serves as chair of the NTCA Rural Broadband PAC and has served as the Kentucky state coordinator for the NTCA Legislative and Policy Conference, building strong relationships with his members of Congress and helping his peers do the same. He testified before the U.S. House on the USF and Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment programs in 2025 and, as a former member of the NTCA Board of Directors, helped guide the association's priorities.

"On behalf of NTCA and its members, I thank both Senator Capito and Greg Hale for their tireless work to advance policies that improve connectivity in the rural communities our members serve," said NTCA CEO Mike Romano.