DAY 2 8 WISPAMERICA I MARCH 6 - 9, 2023 www.bekabusinessmedia.com One thing is clear: WISPA has a heart. At each WISPA conference, the organization raises money for an organization or an individual. WISPAMERICA in Louisville will be no different, as the father of six who needs brain surgery has been chosen as the recipient. Glenn Kelly’s cousin, Angela Pigman, with the help of Mike Hammett are organizing this event’s fundraiser. Pigman explained the situation in a note sent earlier to WISPA members. In case you haven’t seen it, it follows: “For those of you that know Glenn, this sounds like one of his crazy jokes, right? Sadly, it’s not. He has a brain tumor and has started having mini strokes. Without surgery to remove the pressure on his brain, it’s probably going to be terminal. He’s been in the hospital three times in the last couple of months. “I’m Angela, his cousin. Some days I’m surprised he claims me as fami ly. If you knew Glenn, you would think he has more l ives than my cat. Over and over again, he beat some real ly stiff odds – chi ld abuse, homelessness, breast cancer. His brother passed when we were teenagers. “Like the dude just won’t quit. And while at times he has been like my totally obnoxious little brother, he has always offered to generously help in any way he can. He was a medic, and he still pulls over to help people. “He’s got six kids. They need their dad in their lives. So, I don’t know – after all he’s been through I can’t decide if his luck is horrible or unbelievable. I don’t know if I would still be slogging on after all that. No one deserves to die from needing medical care. So, my request from you is to help him try to beat the odds again. All donations will be used for his medical care, either the surgery itself or the physical therapy after.” A letter asking for donations was sent to WISPA members, and during WISPAMERICA attendees are encouraged to go online at https://www.32auctions.com/ wispamerica2023 or to scan the QR Code and make a bid. If you still want to donate, reach out to Gary Helmers at ghelmers@wispa.org or Layne Sisk at laye@serverplus.com. The auction accepts services, products, gift cards or anything you think attendees would find value in. Also, when donating, send a description of the donation(s) and include the value of it. Please hold on to the donation until after WISPAMERICA, and WISPA will connect you with the winning bidder to arrange shipping. If you’re not donating, be sure to check out what you can win and make a purchase. Don’t let Glenn’s kids have to grow up without their father. m Women of WISPA (WoW) was co-founded in the fall of 2021 at WISPAPALOOZA by Susan Myers of East Carolina Broadband, Georgette LopezAguado of Sonar, Alison Vreeswyk of Preseem, and Jennifer Lisaius of WISPA. The purpose was to be a networking group of WISPA members who seek the advancement of women in the telecommunications industry with a goal to “Engage, Inspire and Connect” WISPA members in our field, our community and around the world, regardless of gender. WoW kicked off the inaugural breakfast on March 16, 2022, at WISPAMERICA in New Orleans. a 7 a.m. breakfast gathering at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center drew 60 people. The next event was a breakfast meeting at WISPAPALOOZA in Las Vegas. Co-founders of WoW doubled the number of attendees to more than 120 people. In Las Vegas, the breakfast began with an introduction from Jennifer Lisaius, WISPA, followed by a virtual presentation of encouragement and acknowledgment from Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), a member of the Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee, which oversees the technology policy debate in the U.S. Senate. Next, a panel of female WoW members spoke and engaged the audience on shared experiences and the common vision to Encourage, Inspire & Connect women in the technology sector, STEM programs, innovation, breaking barriers and mentorship. The panel included Susan Myers, East Carolina Broadband; Martha Huizenga,DC Access; Abbi Hubler, TekWav; Alison Vreeswyk, Preseem; and Georgette Lopez-Aguado, Sonar. WoW was joined by WISPA President and CEO David Zumwalt and many of our members, regardless of gender, to highlight the impact of women in the field of technology as we work to close the digital divide to ensure that all Americans have access to 21st-century education, economic development, health care, law enforcement and more, by providing highspeed, reliable internet service. WoW invites you to join it at its next breakfast during WISPAMERICA. The breakfast begins at 7 a.m., Thursday in Room M-103 of the Kentucky International Convention Center (KICC). Along with breakfast, a fun morning of Speed Networkig is planned, so don’t forget your business cards. WoW is grateful to its sponsors, Sonar Software, Preseem and Calix who make these events possible. m To join Women of WISPA, contact Jennifer Lisaius at jlisaius@wispa.org. WISPA Charity Aids Long-time Member WoW Plans ‘Speed Networking’ for Breakfast
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