Jim Bugel, President – FirstNet, AT&T, leads our program providing mission-critical communications to public safety agencies and first responders through FirstNet, the first and only nationwide, wireless network built with and for first responders. Jim oversees the FirstNet and NG911 teams at AT&T and all areas of the program, including implementation, operations, sales, development, strategy, and public safety policy. With over 30 years of experience in the wireless and wired telecommunications industry, Jim has an extensive background in public safety, national security, cybersecurity, and emergency preparedness. He was a key member of the team that led AT&T’s successful bid to build, operate and evolve the FirstNet network, awarded in March 2017 under a 25-year public-private partnership with the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority). Most recently as Vice President, FirstNet Program for AT&T, he oversaw strategy, policy and implementation for all state, local and federal public safety initiatives. He also established and expanded the FirstNet Response Operations Group (ROG) that manages the nationwide fleet of FirstNet network deployable assets, providing first responder agencies with FirstNet connectivity – whenever and wherever they need it to support public safety’s response to wildfires, hurricanes, the COVID-19 pandemic, search and rescues, and other emergency and planned events. Previously, Jim was AT&T’s principal public safety and national security representative to the White House, Department of Defense, the Federal Communications Commission, and the Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency. Following the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation to create a dedicated, nationwide network for America’s first responders, he worked alongside the nation’s public safety leadership and Congress to pass the legislation that led to public safety’s own network. He has served on numerous advisory committees, councils and task forces related to emergency response, communications, interoperability and national security. He is a Radio Club of America Fellow and earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Science from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and resides in McLean, Virginia.