Rick Benken

Rick Benken has extensive experience in network strategy, engineering, and operations. Rick has worked for Alaska Communications, where they held positions as Vice President, Senior Director, and Director. In these roles, they were responsible for directing the network strategy and operations, including fiber and fixed wireless voice and data networks, submarine cable operations, satellite operations, and internet service provider operations. Rick managed teams in transport, switching, outside plant engineering and construction, field installation and repair, network operations center, corporate purchasing, and warehouse operations. Prior to their work at Alaska Communications, they worked at Cincinnati Bell and Cincinnati Bell Wireless, where they directed the planning, engineering, construction, and operations of wireless networks and was responsible for the architecture, planning, engineering, and operations of all Cincinnati Bell networks, including wireless, landline voice and data, consumer internet, metro area IP-based business services, and fiber to the home services. In these roles, they managed budgets and led teams of managers and hourly personnel.

Rick Benken has a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the United States Air Force Academy. Rick also holds a Master of Science degree in Computer Engineering from Wright State University. In addition to their formal education, Rick has obtained various certifications including ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) Foundations, PADI Open Water SCUBA Instructor, Project Management Certification Program from Xavier University, and a Six Sigma Green Belt Certification.