With 20+ years of broadband and telecoms legal and business experience, Mr. Woods has facilitated key public-private partnerships between local communities, service providers, and broadband stakeholders to expand infrastructure and digital equity investments and support broadband education initiatives. He frequently provides keynote remarks and speeches and serves on industry panel discussions during events such as the Broadband Leaders Summit, U.S. Conference of Mayors Annual Meeting, National League of Cities Congressional City Conference, Fiber Connect Broadband Conference, Broadband Communities Summit, and Mountain Connect Conference. 

Prior to joining A&M, Mr. Woods served as the Division Chief and inaugural Director of the Office of Minority Broadband Initiatives (OMBI) in the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA’s) Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth (OICG). At NTIA, he liaised between the OICG and key strategic partners and external stakeholders, including representatives from state and local governments, telecom companies, for-profit and nonprofit corporations, and colleges/universities. Mr. Woods was responsible for the implementation and launch of OMBI and the $65 billion broadband funding program authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Mr. Woods’ devotion to increasing broadband access has transformed the lives of many U.S. communities through, for example, the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program; BroadbandUSA’s Technical Assistance program, community education workshops, and Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program. His on-the-ground work and influence among national, state, and corporate decision-makers have built strong broadband coalitions. Previously, Mr. Woods served as an Attorney in the Telecommunications, Media and Technology Group of Bingham McCutchen (now Morgan, Lewis & Bockius).

Mr. Woods earned a bachelor’s degree in urban studies from Morehouse College, a master’s degree in public policy from American University, and a J.D. from Howard University School of Law. He serves as the President of Ready.net, Inc. and as a Board Member of Omnipoint Technology.