Wes Rosenbalm

Wes Rosenbalm is the president and chief executive officer of Bristol Virginia Utilities (BVU), a public utility recognized in the telecommunications and public power industries for its successful deployment of BVU OptiNet. OptiNet is the nation’s first municipally owned, fiber-to-the-user broadband network offering voice, video, and data services.

Rosenbalm successfully guided the expansion of BVU’s all-fiber network into eight rural counties in southwest Virginia, making the utility an international model for integration of broadband with such traditional services as electricity, water, and wastewater. The utility’s success led to Bristol, Virginia’s distinction as the only American city on the prestigious global list of the Top Seven Intelligent Communities of the Year for 2009.

A long-time advocate for municipal broadband, Rosenbalm testified before the U.S. Congressional Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet to support the Community Broadband Act, a federal law that would remove barriers to municipal governments' offering telecom services. He received the 2003 President’s Star Performer Award from the Fiber-to-the-Home Council and the 2008 James D. Donovan Award for Individual Achievement from the American Public Power Association. He was also recognized by The Business Journal of Tri-Cities TN/VA in 2008 as one of the 100 people having the most impact on business.

He holds a BS degree in electrical engineering and an MBA from the University of Kentucky.

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