Two years after the Oklahoma Broadband Expansion Council was created to make recommendations to the State Broadband Office, its chairman is talking of “sunsetting” the body.
The issue is on the agenda for the Wednesday morning meeting of the Expansion Council. Item number 5 states, “Discussion and possible action on recommending early sunset of the Oklahoma Broadband Expansion.”
The Expansion Council is separate from the state Broadband Governing Board.
Broadband Office spokesman Tim Allen indicated, “The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Chair Brian Whitacre.” No further explanation was offered.
The Council, formerly the Oklahoma Rural Broadband Expansion Council was created to improve, expand and reduce the cost of high-speed internet connectivity in Oklahoma.
The 14-member council includes the Executive Director of the Broadband Office along with appointees by the Governor, Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma State Senate, and Oklahoma Corporation Commission.
Members include:
- Dr. Brian Whitacre, Chair, Professor of Agricultural Economics, Oklahoma State University – Dept. of Ag. Economics – Stillwater
Professional with academic expertise in large scale info technology infrastructure with emphasis on rural broadband access. Appointee of Senate President Pro Tempore - Mark Argenbright, Vice Chair, Director, Public Utility Division & Consumer Services, Oklahoma Corporation Commission – Oklahoma City
Government official with expertise in administration of the Universal Service Fund, but who is not an elected member of the Commission. Appointee of Corporation Commission - Darlene Brugnoli, Vice President Governmental Affairs, Verizon
Representative of a wireless telecommunications provider not affiliated with an incumbent local exchange carrier in Oklahoma. Appointee of Speaker of the House - Jason Constable, Director, Regulatory Affairs, AT&T Corp. – Oklahoma City
Representative of a wireless telecommunications provider with operations in Oklahoma and 24 other states. Appointee of Speaker of the House - Sachin Gupta, Director of Government Business and Economic Development, Centranet, LLC – Stillwater
Rural electric cooperative representative. Appointee of Senate President Pro Tempore - Mike Hilliary, Chief Administrative Officer, Hilliary Communications – Lawton
Representative of a wireless internet service provider. Appointee of Governor - Ernie Martens, Mayor, City of Sallisaw – Sallisaw
Current or former mayor of municipality of population of less than 35,000 and not a part of the OKC or Tulsa Metropolitan Statistical Area. Appointee of Governor - Dr. Stacie Sober, Associate Director, Canopy Healthtech – Owasso
Rural healthcare representative. Appointee of Speaker of the House - Mike Sanders, Executive Director – Kingfisher
Oklahoma Broadband Office - Josh Snow, President, Trace Fiber Networks, LLC
Oklahoma resident and tribal leader. Appointee of Senate President Pro Tempore - Robbie Squires, Director of Government & Regulatory Affairs, Cox Oklahoma Telecom, LLC
Private-sector technology professional with expertise in broadband. Appointee of Speaker of the House - Billy Frank Staggs, President, Chickasaw Holding Company – Sulphur
Member representing the interests of rural internet service providers. Appointee of Speaker of the House - Daniel Webster, CEO, Northeast Oklahoma Electric Cooperative – Vinita
Represents interests of rural business enterprises. Appointee of Senate President Pro Tempore - Jerry Whisenhunt, General Manager, Pine Telephone Company, Inc. – Broken Bow
Citizen from community with less than 50,000 that is not part of OKC or Tulsa Metropolitan statistical areas. Appointee of Senate President Pro Tempore
Wednesday, December 10, 2025, 10:00 a.m.
Harvey Parkway Building
301 NW 63rd Street, Suite 105, Oklahoma City
Thisis an Open Meeting. People may observe this meeting in person.
Meeting documents are posted at https://broadband.ok.gov.
1. Call to Order, Welcome, and Determination of a Quorum
2. Compliance with Open Meeting Act
3. Office Policy regarding Comments and Questions on Grant Processes
4. Opening Remarks by Chair
5. Discussion and possible action on recommending early sunset of the Oklahoma Broadband Expansion
Council
6. Discussion and Action on 2026 Regular Meeting Dates and Times
7. Next Meeting, Closing Remarks, and Announcements
8. Adjournment