UTOPIA Fiber’s Kim McKinley and Nicole Cottle Shine as Fiber Forward AMPLIFY Award Finalists

UTOPIA Fiber’s Kim McKinley and Nicole Cottle Shine as Fiber Forward AMPLIFY Award Finalists

Fiber Broadband Association Will Honor Two Trailblazers at Fiber Connect 2024

Murray, UT – June 26, 2024 – UTOPIA Fiber, the nation’s largest and most successful Open Access network, proudly announces that two members of its leadership team have been named as finalists for the 2024 Fiber Forward AMPLIFY Awards. These awards, presented by the Fiber Broadband Association (FBA), honor individuals, companies, and innovations that significantly advance the fiber broadband industry. The winners will be unveiled at Fiber Connect 2024, held from July 28-31 in Nashville, Tennessee, during the Awards Luncheon on Monday, July 29.

Kim McKinley, UTOPIA Fiber’s Chief Marketing Officer and Deputy Director, is a finalist for the “Women Changing Fiber for Good” award. This accolade recognizes women whose contributions are set to make a lasting positive impact on the fiber broadband industry.

Nicole Cottle, UTOPIA Fiber’s General Counsel & Director of Government Relations, has been nominated for the “Advocacy Allstars” award. This award highlights individuals who are advancing the fiber broadband agenda at both state and federal levels.

“Being nominated for these prestigious awards is a testament to the hard work and dedication of Team UTOPIA,” said Roger Timmerman, Executive Director of UTOPIA Fiber. “Kim and Nicole’s achievements underscore our commitment to driving innovation and advocacy within the fiber broadband industry. We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and look forward to celebrating their contributions at Fiber Connect 2024.”

The Fiber Forward AMPLIFY Awards are designed to shine a light on the people and organizations that are amplifying the impact and benefits of fiber broadband. This year’s finalists include outstanding leaders and projects that exemplify excellence and innovation in the industry.

“Submissions for the first AMPLIFY Awards were filled with outstanding leaders and projects advancing fiber forward. It’s an honor to recognize these achievements at Fiber Connect 2024,” said Doug Mohney, FBA’s Fiber Forward Editor in Chief. “We congratulate the finalists listed here and we look forward to applauding the recipients next month in Nashville. We also plan to include recipients in the next issue of Fiber Forward, providing details on their award-winning contributions to the industry.”

Tickets to the Fiber Forward Awards Luncheon can be purchased during the Fiber Connect 2024 registration process or by emailing fiberconnect@fiberbroadband.org. Recipients of the 2024 Star Award, Photon Award, Gene Scott Education Award, and the All Fiber Network Provider Certifications will also be announced at the luncheon, as well as the Lightwave FTTxcellence Award recipients and the CableFax Award Fiber Provider of the Year.

About the Finalists

For over 14 years, Kim McKinley has played a key role in transforming UTOPIA Fiber into the fastest-growing and highest-rated Open Access network in the U.S. Her innovative marketing strategies and strong commitment to customer experience have been pivotal in building a memorable brand. Leading marketing, sales, and customer service teams, she has expanded UTOPIA Fiber’s reach and influence while also serving as a prominent industry leader and board member of the Fiber Broadband Association and AAPB.

Nicole Cottle, who joined UTOPIA Fiber in 2023, brings over two decades of experience in public-private partnerships and municipal government roles. She is instrumental in guiding public policy that promotes high-speed fiber infrastructure deployment while safeguarding the interests of all stakeholders. Nicole’s extensive background includes work at federal, state, and local levels, where she has influenced hundreds of bills, legislative actions, and rulemaking activities. Her advocacy is vital for advancing the fiber broadband agenda, contributing significantly to UTOPIA Fiber’s success and the larger fiber broadband community.

About UTOPIA Fiber

Created by a group of Utah cities, the Utah Telecommunication Open Infrastructure Agency (UTOPIA), an inter-local agency, is a community-owned fiber optic network that uses the Open Access model to provide Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) services in 23 Utah cities and business-class service in 80 cities. With fiber availability to approximately 200,000 businesses and residences and more than 65,000 subscribers, UTOPIA Fiber is the largest and most successful Open Access network in the United States and enjoys the industry’s highest customer satisfaction scores. By giving customers the freedom to choose from 18 private-sector ISPs, UTOPIA Fiber promotes competition and keeps internet pricing affordable.

Since 2009, the agency has successfully designed, built, and operated nearly half-a-billion dollars worth of successful community broadband projects in Utah and the West, including operational partnerships with Idaho Falls, Yellowstone Fiber, and Bountiful Fiber, all of which have been funded by bonds which are paid back through subscriber revenue. For more information visit www.utopiafiber.com.