It would be an honor to continue serving on the WiscNet Board of Directors representing Private Colleges and Universities. In addition to my work in higher education, I serve on the Wisconsin Cyber Response Team as an incident response lead and I regularly present and facilitate discussions on security and operational topics. Those experiences have reinforced the value of trusted communities like WiscNet, where members can share knowledge and learn from each other. As a board member, I would continue focusing on strengthening those connections and supporting WiscNet’s role as a reliable, collaborative resource for its members.

John Blohm is a Network Manager for the Green Bay Area Public School District with more than 15 years of experience supporting both large and small K–12 technology environments. He has served in his current role for over eight years, where he is responsible for delivering secure, reliable, and scalable network connectivity for staff, students, and visitors across the district.

John is passionate about network security, operational resilience, and simplifying network management through forward-thinking solutions. He designed and implemented redundant network connections to every school in the district, working closely with WiscNet to deploy affordable, redundant 100 Gbps connectivity. To John, WiscNet is more than an internet service provider—it is a trusted partner whose services, including Eduroam and Teach & Learn sessions, help streamline operations and amplify the impact of educational technology.

In addition to his technical leadership, John brings five years of experience as a small business owner. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time outdoors with his family.

I would be honored to continue to serve on the WiscNet Board of Directors. It has been my privilege to connect with members from K12 school districts, public and private higher education, libraries, hospitals and City/County government, and to learn from them. We are all tackling challenging issues, such as AI, cybersecurity, privacy, affordability and connectivity and WiscNet provides us with an outlet to collaborate, and share our lessons learned. I’m in awe of our membership and of WiscNet staff. My hope is that if I’m re-elected to serve, I can continue to support WiscNet’s efforts to connect people, ideas, and strategies. 

I bring 25 + years of leadership in IT, including 8 years as the CIO for the City of Madison and the Chair of the Metropolitan Unified Fiber Network. I started my IT career collaborating on the development of the City’s first full-scale City website. From there, I advanced through positions of increased responsibility in Web Designing, Web Management to my current position, as the City’s CIO. Throughout  my career, providing the highest quality service through technology and creating better digital experiences for our customers has been a core value for me. My hope is that my work and life experiences continue to make me a good candidate to serve on the WiscNet Board of Directors.

Ten years in Phoenix’s high-tech sector taught me what is possible when infrastructure is seamless. When the pandemic provided the opportunity to leave the desert and return home to the Northwoods, I jumped at it. But returning to Rib Lake reminded me of a stark reality for rural Wisconsin: progress often stops at the city limits.

To me, WiscNet is far more than a service provider; it is the vital central nervous system that ensures our rural schools are never left in the dark. As the Technology Director at Rib Lake K12, I see daily how WiscNet levels the playing field. Whether it is streaming our elite sports teams to families and recruiters near and far, launching a competitive eSports program, or enabling our students to enroll in life-changing online college courses, WiscNet is the key that unlocks those doors.

I am running for the Board because I believe that "rural" should never mean "limited." I bring a unique perspective that bridges the gap between advanced, data-driven strategy and the boots-on-the-ground reality of Northwoods education. It would be a privilege to represent our member community and help build a Wisconsin where every student, regardless of their zip code, has the connection they need to thrive.

I am seeking an at-large seat on the WiscNet Board because the organization represents more than connectivity; it represents purpose, stewardship, and a clear understanding of why public infrastructure matters in Wisconsin. My career spans more than twenty-five years in K–12 education, instructional technology leadership, digital equity work, and board service, giving me both operational fluency and governance experience rooted in public accountability. I bring strong, well-informed opinions, a demonstrated willingness to listen, and a track record of advocating effectively without mistaking volume for leadership. With my doctoral work in instructional technology concluding this spring, I am prepared to contribute sustained focus, informed advocacy, and principled support to protect and advance WiscNet’s mission at the highest levels.