Laura Spining Dodson

Laura Spining Dodson is the Director of the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) Infrastructure Projects at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce. She is responsible for the oversight of 120 construction-based BTOP American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grants representing a $3.5 billion investment of taxpayer funds.  Under Laura's leadership, BTOP projects are deploying high-speed broadband services to Communities nationwide including connecting schools, libraries, universities, health clinics, public safety locations and others.

Laura’s background includes contributions in the public, private and nonprofit sectors.  She has extensive experience with broadband network infrastructure and fiber based broadband network services.  Her 10 years of experience at Level 3 Communications included network planning, business development and sales.  She has been engaged in telecommunications policy and advocacy throughout her career.  As the Executive Director of the Internet Innovation Alliance, she led initiatives to educate policymakers about the impact that broadband has on economic development, healthcare and education.  In addition, she served as Membership Director at the U.S. Telecom Association leading up to and through passage of the 1996 Telecommunications Act.

A native Tennessean, and University of Tennessee Volunteer, Spining began her career in Washington, D.C. working in the office of then Senator Al Gore. She later worked for the Clinton/Gore campaign in Little Rock, Arkansas.  Following the election, she served in the White House.