Stu Johnson

Stu Johnson is the executive director of Connect Ohio, a division of Connected Nation, Inc. Stu serves as the primary spokesperson to local, regional, and statewide media regarding Connect Ohio programs. He directs the community-by-community broadband planning and implementation process by supporting local and regional task forces, assisting and providing consultation to the teams in implementing specific strategies and actions for reaching local goals. Stu oversees Connect Ohio’s Technical Assistance program, aiding communities without connectivity to craft viable plans for inclusion and oversees community projects and provides updates on technology expansion. Stu conceptualized the Ohio Broadband and Technology Caucus to bring together legislators from across Ohio to build awareness and broaden the resources available to address issues of broadband access, adoption, and use throughout the state.

Stu directed and managed Connect Ohio’s Every Citizen Online (ECO) program funded by Broadband Technology Opportunities Program grant. This included meeting objectives for more than 300 facilities, training over 43,000 participants, and other metrics of success within the program and beyond. Stu is currently working to establish Digital Works^sm: Connecting People & Jobs, an extension of Connect Ohio’s ECO program. Digital works is a digital skills training program aimed at providing a link between twenty-first century workforce opportunities and community revitalization. 

Stu has 25 years of executive level telecommunications experience and joined Connect Ohio after serving as CEO of Network Advantage LLC, a nationwide contracted consulting company with emphasis on technology and telecommunications.

Stu holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from The Ohio State University.