OpenCape’s Broadband Network (Accelerating the Pace) January 8, 2016 First Friday Breakfast

Steve Johnston, the new Executive Director of OpenCape, the owner of the state-of-the-art middle mile fiber backbone, will discuss the status of the broadband project and what is planned to extend the reach and impact of the network for economic development, education and residential life in Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod, and the Islands.

Steve will present his vision and strategy for the organization at the Cape Cod Technology Council’s First Friday breakfast, being held on the second Friday of January due to the New Year’s holiday, January 8th, 2016 at the Hyannis Golf Club on Route 132 Exit 6 South off the Mid-Cape Highway Route 6. The breakfast will be held from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. and is open to the public.

Steve joined OpenCape in late August after serving most recently as Vice President, Brand Engagement at Care2.com, a top 100 internet site and social network of 33+ million members and over 45 million monthly users seeking to make global and local impact. In that role, he led the firm’s advertising platform team, spearheading efforts to expand revenue streams, and corporate nonprofit partnership accounts with global and national organizations. Additionally, he served as Senior Director of Global Business Development at Babson College’s Executive Education program, where he identified and assessed corporate education needs and programs for executives representing firms and organizations such as the United Nations, World Bank, U.S. Navy, Microsoft, and Ocean Spray among others.

Steve also served as Director of National Fundraising and Sponsorship for WGBH, securing over $215 million in foundation, individual and corporate gifts to support the public television station. Prior to his work at WGBH, he served as Director of Product Sponsorship and Fundraising Events for PBS Corporate in Alexandria, VA. For the last 10 years Steven has lived in East Sandwich and commuted, tele-commuted and experienced the “challenges” of working from the Cape.

OpenCape, working in conjunction with its operating partner CapeNet, is currently providing broadband services to more than 125 entities, including towns, libraries, government buildings, schools, colleges, hospitals, public safety agencies, and research institutions. The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority, Massasoit Community College, Taunton Municipal Lighting Plant, Hy-line Cruises, Meganet Communications, Hydroid, and Granite Block Global Data Center, are among the organizations and businesses that have chosen OpenCape for critical data transport and Internet services.

The CCTC event includes networking and a hot breakfast followed by the presentation and questions and answers. The charge for CCTC members is $15, while there is a $20 charge for non-members. To sign up or to obtain more information on CCTC visit the organization’s website at capecodtechcouncil.org. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for the event.

Steve Johnston, the New Executive Director of OpenCape will talk in detail about several of their newest initiatives.  Stay tuned for more information to come!