Already a seasoned telecom executive, Jim Bugel’s experiences during two of the most defining crises in modern American history—the 9/11terrorist attacks and Hurricane Katrina—were pivotal in shaping his deep commitment to bridging the gap between commercial networks and public safety communications. Those experiences set the stage for his instrumental role at AT&T in helping establish and grow FirstNet, the first nationwide broadband network dedicated to first responders. His leadership has transformed public safety communications with the deployment of interoperable, resilient communications for public safety.

Jim led AT&T’s efforts to reshape the public safety communications industry. Following the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation for a dedicated nationwide network, he collaborated with public safety leaders to secure Congressional approval. Congress passed the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, establishing the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority), the independent body charged with building, operating, and evolving the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network. Jim then led AT&T’s complex and successful competitive bid, resulting in the award of the 25-year federal contract in March 2017. He subsequently managed the nationwide campaign that produced the unanimous decision by all 56 jurisdictions—the 50 states, five territories, and the District of Columbia—to opt in to FirstNet.

Most recently, Jim was responsible for all public safety broadband communications strategy and policy for the FirstNet program at AT&T. He oversaw creation of the FirstNet Response Operations Group (ROG) that manages the nationwide fleet of FirstNet network deployable assets, which provides first responder agencies with FirstNet connectivity – whenever and wherever they need it. Earlier, he served as 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. Jim joined AT&T from Cingular Wireless after holding leadership roles at BellSouth and GTE. 

In addition, Jim served on the International Disaster Response Sub-Committee to the U.S. Department of State’s Advisory Committee on International Communications and Information Policy. He has been actively involved in the President’s National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee (NSTAC). Jim served as Chair of the FCC’s Joint Advisory Committee on Communications Capabilities of Emergency, Medical and Public Health Care Facilities, served as co-chair of the NSTAC Emergency Communications and Interoperability Task Force, and was Vice Chair of Homeland Security’s Communications Sector Coordinating Council. Jim is a Radio Club of America Fellow and received his bachelor’s degree in business science from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.