Already a seasoned telecom executive, Jim Bugel’s experiences during two of the most defining crises in modern American history—the 9/11 terrorist attacks and Hurricane Katrina—were pivotal in shaping his deep commitment to bridging the gap between commercial networks and public safety communications. His skills and understanding set the stage for his instrumental role at AT&T in helping to establish and grow FirstNet, the first nationwide broadband network dedicated to first responders. His leadership has since helped transform 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 to create a dedicated, nationwide network for America’s first responders, Jim led the collaboration with public safety leaders to win Congressional approval. Congress passed the Middle-Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, establishing the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority). The FirstNet Authority is an independent authority responsible for building, operating, and evolving the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (FirstNet). Jim led AT&T’s complex and successful competitive bid to build the FirstNet network – a 25-year federal contract AT&T was awarded to receive in March of 2017. Following the creation of the public-private partnership, he led and managed a nationwide campaign to get the governors of all 50 states, five territories, and the District of Columbia to “opt in” to FirstNet. These efforts led to the unanimous decision by all 56 jurisdictions to “opt in.”

Most recently, Jim was responsible for all public safety broadband communications strategy and policy for the FirstNet program at AT&T. He oversaw the 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. Prior to this, 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. Jim joined AT&T from Cingular Wireless and previously held 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 also 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, a past co-chair of the NSTAC Emergency Communications and Interoperability Task Force, and is a former 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.