Metronet today named Telly Whitfield, Ph.D., Director of Government Affairs. Whitfield joins the nation’s largest independently owned, 100 percent fiber optic provider from Fayetteville, N.C., where he served as Assistant City Manager. As Assistant City Manager, Whitfield was key in developing relationships and coalitions with stakeholders including elected officials, private industry, nonprofits, community-based organizations, and diverse populations throughout Fayetteville and beyond.

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Telly Whitfield, Ph.D., Metronet's Director of Government Affairs. (Photo: Business Wire)

“After working with Metronet closely to ensure residents and businesses throughout the City of Fayetteville would have access to their state-of-the-art 100 percent fiber optic network, I am proud to join their team to help ensure that more communities have that same the opportunity,” said Whitfield. “I look forward to working alongside this top-notch team that has worked tirelessly to bring service to small and mid-sized cities throughout the country.”

Whitfield has more than 20 years of experience in public service and executive leadership throughout numerous Mid-Atlantic communities with proven results in planning and zoning, economic development, information technology, human services, neighborhood building, community development and more. Whitfield holds a Ph.D. in Public Administration and Public Affairs from Virginia Tech and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Hampton University, along with additional graduate study at American University.

Metronet announced North Carolina as its 9^th state for expansion at the beginning of 2021 and is actively building out the 100 percent fiber optic infrastructure that will provide multi-gigabit ultra-high-speed fiber optic internet to residents and businesses in the Ayden, Brices Creek, Conover, Eastover, Fayetteville, Greenville, Half Moon, Havelock, Hickory, Hope Mills, Jacksonville, James City, Morehead City, Mountain View, Neuse Forest, New Bern, Newton, Piney Green, Pumpkin Center, Raeford, River Bend, Rocky Mount, Simpson, Spring Lake, Saint Stephens, Trent Woods, Vander, and Winterville communities.

For more information on Metronet services in your area, please visit www.Metronet.com.

City officials interested in adding their community to Metronet’s growing list of “Certified Gigabit Cities Powered by Metronet” may visit metronet.com/gigabit-city or contact Eddie Massengale, Metronet Sr. Director of Business Development at Eddie.Massengale@metronet.com or call 423-280-9031.

About Metronet:

Metronet is the nation’s largest independently owned, 100 percent fiber optic company headquartered in Evansville, Indiana. The customer-focused company provides cutting-edge fiber optic communication services, including high-speed Fiber Internet and full-featured Fiber Phone. Metronet started in 2005 with one fiber optic network in Greencastle, Indiana. Since then, Metronet and its affiliates have grown to serve and construct networks in more than 250 communities across Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, Texas, Wisconsin, Missouri, Colorado, New Mexico, and Louisiana. Metronet is committed to bringing state-of-the-art telecommunication services to communities — services that are comparable or superior to those offered in large metropolitan areas. By offering XGS PON technology, Metronet can easily carry its communities into the future of multi-gigabit service. Metronet has been recognized by PC Mag as one of the Top 10 Fastest ISPs in North Central United States in 2020 and Top 10 ISPs with Best Gaming Quality Index in 2021. Broadband Now has recognized Metronet as the Top 3 Fastest Internet Providers and Fastest Fiber Providers in the Nation in 2020, and #1 Fastest Mid-Sized Internet Provider in two states in 2020. In 2020, Metronet was awarded the Vectren Energy Safe Digging Partner Award from Vectren. For more information, visit www.Metronet.com.

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