Kansas Office of Broadband Development

Broadband Grant Program Manager

Marie McNeal has served the Office of Broadband Development since December 2023 and brings a wealth of experience from her 25-year tenure at the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC), where she served as the Director of Grants and Quality Assurance. In this role, Marie managed grant programs supporting adult and juvenile community supervision agencies and non-profit entities serving justice-involved youth. As a lifelong Kansan, Marie takes pride in her work at KDOC, which heightened her awareness of the crucial need to enhance individuals’ quality of life. This passion aligns perfectly with the mission of the KOBD team in closing the digital divide and ensuring universal access to quality connectivity. Residing in Topeka with her life partner Henry, Marie is an avid supporter of her beloved KU Jayhawks, and she enjoys relaxing with family and friends, traveling, and indulging in Netflix series or real-life crime shows during her downtime. #RockChalk #GoKU.

[email protected]
785-631-0091

Deputy Director of Broadband Development

Joseph is currently the Interim Director of Broadband Development. Prior to this role, he was the Deputy Director of Broadband Development since January 2023. He brings a diverse background in politics, public service, and technology, and he graduated from the University of Kansas with a double major in Political Science and Psychology. He served as Chief of Staff for Kansas House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer before joining the Broadband Development team. With a history in the Kansas Legislature, including as Legislative Director and Operations Director, Joseph also contributed to troubleshooting the Affordable Care Act website at General Dynamics’ IT department during the Obama Administration and working for the University of Kansas’ IT department on their then-course management system, Blackboard. Beyond his professional pursuits, he serves on the Douglas County Community Corrections Advisory Board and the City of Lawrence Human Relations Commission. Joseph is a NextGen Under 30 Honoree, awarded by NextGen Under 30 Kansas recognizing his impact on the state of Kansas and the communities he serves, given his tenure as a public servant. In his leisure time, Joseph enjoys following NCAA Men’s Basketball, coding, keeping abreast of auto and tech innovations, and spending quality moments with his Akita, Emi.

[email protected]
785-230-4615

Broadband Program Manager

Josh, a 6th generation Kansan born and raised, joined the Office of Broadband Development team March 2023, bringing a deep connection to his roots as his family still owns and farms the same land from the 1870s. An alumnus of Kansas State University with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science, Josh began his career as a policy analyst at the Nebraska Public Service Commission, managing the in-state broadband grant program. Despite enjoying exploring Nebraska’s sandhills, he retains a preference for hiking the Konza prairie. Beyond work, Josh is an active outdoor enthusiast, engaging in running, biking, gardening and embracing the Kansas weather. A passionate reader with a diverse collection, he is excited to contribute to the KOBD team’s efforts in bringing reliable broadband to deserving communities.

[email protected]
785-207-3892

Broadband Data and GIS Analyst

Stephen, who joined the KOBD team in 2023, brings a wealth of experience and a passion for exploration. Originally from California and recently transplanted from Oregon, he has embraced Kansas since 2021, enjoying its rich history, connected communities, and diverse opportunities. Holding a Bachelor’s degree from Portland State University and a Master’s degree in Geography from San Jose State University, Stephen spent most of his career in the travel industry, contributing to Expedia and Hotwire.com. With four children—two boys and two girls —he has been busy for the last 22 years, cherishing the cultural richness brought by his girls from Ethiopia. Beyond work and family, Stephen finds joy in continuous learning and exploring nature, capturing its beauty through his dedicated photography habit. He expresses, “Taking photos of the beauty all around me gives me joy.”

[email protected]
785-480-8150

Broadband Infrastructure Program Manager

Casey Russell, Broadband Infrastructure Program Manager for the Office of Broadband Development since April 2023, leverages over a decade of experience as a Network Engineer at KanREN. His expertise includes installing and managing fiber optic transport equipment, Route/Switch hardware, and customer premise equipment for a network serving 85 community anchor institutions across Kansas. Active in the research and education community, Casey contributes to internet standards development and was involved in testing the Automated Multicast Tunneling Protocol (AMT). With a strong background in state and federal grant programs, he is a two-time National Science Foundation Panel reviewer in technology.

[email protected]
785-207-1317

Digital Opportunity Program Manager

Kimberlyn Jones, a committed Digital Opportunity Program Manager of KOBD and proud Kansas City native, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Certificate in Dance from the University of Missouri-Columbia and an Executive MBA in Business Management from Rockhurst University. With a diverse professional background spanning insurance, finance, nonprofit management, and economic development. Beyond her professional endeavors, Kimberlyn is a passionate advocate for the community and a devoted mother to her grown children, Kiara and Curtis. In 1982, she founded the Kansas City Metropolitan Dance Theatre, a nonprofit dance education and performing arts center for children in the urban core, leaving a lasting legacy. In her leisure time, Kimberlyn enjoys traveling, exploring new wines, cooking, and spending quality moments with friends and family.

[email protected]
785-289-3345

Engagement and Outreach Manager

Morgan Barnes joined the Office of Broadband Development in October of 2022. Her background includes a bachelor’s from Wichita State University with an emphasis in Integrated Marketing Communications.  Before joining the Office of Broadband Development, she worked in banking and higher education. Before moving to public service, Morgan was a Program Manager at the Public Policy and Management Center at Wichita State University and connected with public servants.

As the Engagement and Outreach Manager, Morgan provides strategic communication and outreach management for the Kansas Office of Broadband Development.

A rural-by-choice Kansan, Morgan and her family reside in Cowley County. Living in rural and urban spaces, Morgan recognizes the importance of internet access, affordability, and reliability for our neighbors across the state. 

[email protected]
785-480-8555

Broadband Partnerships Coordinator

Shelley Paasch, the Kansas Office of Broadband Partnerships Coordinator, leverages 20 years of team management and leadership experience, coupled with 16 years of expertise in ecosystem building, relationship cultivation, and community outreach. Specializing in rural entrepreneurship and economic development, she excels in bridging gaps for businesses in local, unserved, and underserved communities. A certified facilitator for the Ice House Entrepreneurial Mindset program since 2015, Shelley focuses on business growth, strategic planning, and ecosystem building. Shelley serves as a relationship builder with community stakeholders and internet service providers, driving broadband expansion with municipal and state agencies.

[email protected]
785-276-9995

Broadband Grant Compliance and Reporting Manager

Jessica Henry, who joined the Office of Broadband Development in June 2023, brings a wealth of experience and education to her role. Holding a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in Corporate Communications and Public Relations from Washburn University, with a minor in Spanish, Jessica is currently pursuing a Master of Accountancy degree, reflecting her passion for the intersection of finance and technology. With a decade-long tenure at the Kansas Department of Commerce as a Grant Compliance Auditor, she ensured the equitable administration of grants for Kansans through the national public workforce development system. Outside the office, Jessica actively engages in local sporting events with her two sons and enjoys family time, reading, and gardening.

[email protected]
785-296-2534