NCSC Sits Down with NTCA CEO Mike Romano

 

NCSC staff look forward to working with Mike Romano, who has been named CEO of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, effective March 15. He succeeds Shirley Bloomfield, who retired in March after more than three decades with the organization.

NCSC has long worked closely with NTCA, collaborating to support members through advocacy and funding.

“We congratulate Mike on his appointment as CEO of NTCA and look forward to continuing our strong partnership,” NCSC CEO Andrew Don said. “His experience and leadership will be invaluable as the industry navigates the opportunities and challenges ahead.”

Romano brings deep institutional knowledge to the role, having previously served as NTCA’s executive vice president for 15 years, overseeing public policy, government affairs and business development initiatives, along with member engagement and other core operations.

Continued Promise for Advocacy

Romano credited Bloomfield with laying the groundwork for NTCA’s next chapter. “She’s built a great foundation,” he said. “What I want to do is turn that into a launching pad.”

Advocacy, Romano added, remains a core strength of the association and one he plans to stay closely engaged in as NTCA works toward greater regulatory certainty.

“I think advocacy has been a real sweet spot for NTCA,” he said. “It’s where we’ve been able to work closely with members and understand their needs and challenges.”

NCSC Vice President of Business Development Jason Shelton echoed that focus, pointing to Romano’s ability to connect policy priorities with real-world outcomes.

“Mike understands that effective advocacy is rooted in execution,” Shelton said. “He brings a practical, member-driven perspective that will be especially important as providers move from planning to building.”

Charting the Path Forward

From unprecedented federal investment to evolving regulatory and competitive pressures, Romano said NTCA’s mission remains centered on helping members navigate what comes next. 

He outlined three leadership priorities, beginning with embracing change. “We’re not going to be able to wish change away in Washington or out in the marketplace,” Romano said. “So, we need to embrace that rather than resist it.” 

Romano also stressed the need for providers to plan beyond today’s demands as technology continues to advance. 

“We need to be skating to where the puck’s going to go, not where it is today,” he said. “AI, precision agriculture and other emerging technologies are changing expectations, and we have to be prepared.” 

That mindset carries through NTCA’s focus on innovation amid growing complexity. “A greater degree of regulatory uncertainty is the new normal,” Romano said. “Pushing for innovation and thinking about different ways of doing things is top of mind.” 

His third priority centers on equipping providers to compete where competition exists while sustaining operations in the most rural areas. 

“It’s about what we at NTCA can do to equip our members to compete where competition exists,” he said. “That means helping members help themselves by building their toolkits and offering benefits that support recruiting and retaining employees.”

Looking Ahead

Romano acknowledged that challenges will continue to emerge as the industry evolves, but expressed confidence in NTCA’s ability to respond by staying focused on its members and the long term.

“We will see challenges again,” Romano said. “We’ve seen difficult times before, and we worked through them. We’re going to have to do that again, by embracing change and pushing for innovation.”

NCSC supports Romano’s vision and leadership as NTCA enters its next phase.

“Mike brings a clear-eyed understanding of where the industry is headed and what rural providers need to succeed,” Shelton said. “NCSC is proud to continue working alongside NTCA to support its members and the communities they serve.”