Broadband Manager Jerry Smith

By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com

The timing was perfect to step into the role of Los Alamos County’s Broadband Manager, Jerry Smith said.

Not only is it a natural progression for his career but the circumstances are ideal for improving internet connectivity in the County, he explained. It’s been a month since Smith started working for the County. This is a new position; Los Alamos County Council approved the budget for a Broadband Manager position during last year’s budget hearings.

“I am very excited that Jerry Smith has joined the County staff as our Broadband Manager,” County Manager Steven Lynne said. “Enhancing broadband is a significant Council strategic priority and having a dedicated staff member, especially someone with Jerry’s qualifications and experience, will enable us to move forward toward this goal. I am looking forward to working with Jerry in his new role.”

“The scope of my job will be improving the quality of internet for homes and businesses – for 100 percent of homes and businesses – in the County,” Smith said. “The County realizes that this is the best time (to pursue broadband improvements) because of the federal funding available and the public interest in making an investment in better internet.”

Improving internet services has been Smith’s work for a while. Before working in Los Alamos, he said he worked for the State of New Mexico, specifically for the New Mexico Public Schools Facilities Authority. Smith explained he worked in the broadband department and helped K-12 schools with their broadband and internet networks.
He added he worked with the federal funding program called E-Rate, which is a huge, multi-billion dollar program that helps schools pay for 80-90 percent of their network equipment and internet connectivity.

Smith said during his time with the New Mexico Public Schools Facilities Authority he assisted the Los Alamos Public Schools in securing funds through E-Rate and “I expect to partner with them going forward.”

Access to quality internet connection is a major issue for schools and the pandemic emphasized this issue even more, Smith said.

“With the pandemic, and really before the pandemic, everyone at the schools knew there was a connectivity issue for students’ homes,” he said.

Smith said he helped achieve better connectivity for students so becoming the County Broadband Manager seemed like a natural progression in his career. He added he wants to focus on the needs of residents and businesses.

“I think the statistic is 20-25 percent of all homes in our state are without adequate internet, (making them unable) to participate fully in the internet economy,” he said.

Improvements to broadband reap many benefits, Smith explained.

“As far as students, particularly when it involves remote learning, (broadband) is really important,” he said. “It is called digital equity so no one is left behind. Same for Mom and Dad who need the internet for their jobs.”

“Los Alamos County wants to be a leader in this as it is with other things … and continue to have high speed internet to attract and retain businesses,” Smith added.

While Los Alamos is eager to improve its broadband it recognizes this is new territory, he said. The County knows it needs to start somewhere although the exact path is being determined. It could involve hiring staff but certainly will call for bidding and hiring contractors, Smith said.

Plus, the County acknowledges this is the ideal time to pursue broadband, he said.

“Los Alamos is one of the first counties in New Mexico to understand what a great opportunity this is and take actions to make addressing broadband gaps a high priority,” Smith said.

He added a once in a generation opportunity is being presented – the public’s interest is high for broadband at the same time that federal and state dollars are there to make improvements to broadband.

“Our challenge is to act with urgency and take full advantage of the opportunity,” Smith said.

Smith said he was not only attracted to the job opportunity but also to the community.

“Obviously, Los Alamos is a beautiful area, a beautiful community…,” he said.

Smith said he and his wife have lived in New Mexico for eight years. He is originally from Texas, but his wife is a native New Mexican.

“The joke is I wasn’t born here but I got here as quickly as I could,” Smith said.

He added Los Alamos offers him the chance to enjoy his hobbies, which include camping and riding the mountain roads in his Jeep. Smith said the Valles Caldera is his new favorite place in New Mexico.