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Talent is Queen: Connected Nation’s Vice President of GeoAnalytics named a Forty Under 40

Louisville, Ky. (September 28, 2021) – Connected Nation (CN) is excited to announce that Ashley Hitt, Vice President, GeoAnalytics was named among Louisville Business First’s Forty Under 40 for 2021. This year’s theme for the honors was centered on building talent and highlighting special or hidden talents of the Class of 2021—fitting as CN believes Hitt’s talent rests on being an innovator in the industry of GIS and GeoAnalytics.


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Ashley Hitt, Vice President, GeoAnalytics, Connected Nation and URISA President-Elect


“I am not surprised. Anyone who has worked with Ashley over the years has watched her become a titan in her industry of GIS and GeoAnalytics,” said Tom Ferree, Chairman & CEO, Connected Nation. “She not only leads one of the best geoanalytics teams in the country when it comes to broadband coverage mapping and data visualization, but she is an inspiration and resource to others within the larger GIS profession—providing new insights and guidance through state, national, and international conferences and organizations. We are truly lucky that Ashley uses her skills to help inform the important work we’re doing at Connected Nation to help more families and communities by closing the Digital Divide.”


Hitt has a Master’s in Geoscience and a Bachelor’s in Geography-Meteorology/Climatology with a Minor in Mathematics, all from Western Kentucky University. In her role at Connected Nation, she’s responsible for developing strategies using GIS to provide data visualization solutions that impact policy, economic development, and the Digital Divide. 


In addition, Hitt was named the 2021 President-Elect for the URISA Board of Directors, an international organization. She will serve as President-Elect for one year and her term as President will begin at the conclusion of the 2022 GIS-Pro Conference.


“I’m so honored to be recognized in this year’s Forty Under 40 class,” said Hitt. “To be selected and celebrated among this year’s honorees is incredibly exciting, especially seeing how so many are doing such positive work in our community.”


Connected Nation is celebrating 20 years in 2021 and Hitt has contributed to that work since 2007. The following is a sampling of some of the projects Hitt has led in her department:


GeoAnalytics Operations: Ms. Hitt coordinates the development and execution of broadband mapping projects and projects with spatial analytics components. She also leads the division’s strategic planning to implement GIS innovations and other geospatial technologies to support CN’s vision that everyone belongs in a Connected Nation.


Statewide Broadband Mapping Projects: Ms. Hitt has been involved in state broadband mapping for 17 past and current state projects. These involve various aspects of project management, scope and deliverables development, staffing and analysis logistics, developing status and technical reports, and making presentations.


Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC): Ms. Hitt led the GIS team in analyzing mobile carrier data filings to verify the expansion of mobile broadband availability to rural, remote, and tribal areas using federal subsidies. In addition to data analysis and report development, she also created processes for analyzing independent drive test data to verify mobile services in these areas.


Backhaul/Middle-Mile Mapping: Ms. Hitt provides leadership and direction for the collection, processing, analysis, and visualization of middle-mile broadband mapping, showing infrastructure routes and telecom assets to connect businesses, economic developers, planners, and consumers.


State Broadband Initiative (SBI): Ms. Hitt provided leadership and direction to the GIS team involved in coordinating data standardization and integration across the SBI project from 2010-2014. She oversaw the broadband data processing, analysis, and aggregation needed to successfully deliver 110 on-time, fully compliant and complete broadband datasets to the NTIA for 12 states and 1 territory. Ms. Hitt presented to industry experts techniques and best practices deployed to continually improve and advance GIS work being performed as part of the SBI program.



 
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About Connected Nation: The national nonprofit, based in Bowling Green, Kentucky, is celebrating 20 years of service in 2021. Our mission is to improve lives by providing innovative solutions that expand access to and increase the adoption and use of broadband (high-speed internet) and its related technologies for all people. Everyone belongs in a Connected Nation.  To learn more head to www.connectednation.org.