New Washington State Broadband Leader Has Federal Experience

Washington state will be getting a permanent broadband leader with federal experience in the new year.


Gov. Bob Ferguson has appointed Jordan Arnold to serve as director of the Washington State Broadband Office (WSBO) starting in January.

Joseph Williams, information and communications technology sector lead in the state Department of Commerce’s Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness, had served as WSBO interim director following the departure of former Director Aaron Wheeler. Wheeler stepped down from the position in late June to work with the Suquamish Tribe.

He had served as WSBO director while the state grappled with the loss of millions of dollars in funding from the Digital Equity Act, which was established by the U.S. Congress as part of the bipartisan infrastructure law and ended in May by the president.

Arnold’s first day leading WSBO in its collaboration with other state agencies and private partners, to expand high-speed Internet access across the state, will be Jan. 2.

Arnold has experience working with the federal government on broadband. She served as a senior policy adviser on the Infrastructure Implementation Team within the Office of the Chief of Staff for the Biden-Harris White House.

“Her background working at the highest policy levels in the Biden White House will help power Washington forward in our efforts to connect everyone to the internet,” state Commerce Director Joe Nguyễn said in a statement.

Arnold’s experience serving the Biden administration focused on leading a $65 billion broadband portfolio, including implementing the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program, Digital Equity Act programs, and the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program — each of which has been impacted by the new presidential administration. She also supported economic growth efforts in distressed communities.

Prior to serving the Biden administration, Arnold worked in the nonprofit sector and in government, to expand broadband access and opportunity. She served as a fellow at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth. Arnold is pursuing a Master of Public Affairs degree at Princeton University's School of Public and International Affairs. She is studying economics and domestic policy.

“Connectivity means the difference between exclusion and opportunity in jobs, health care and education,” Arnold said in a statement.