Brian Mefford

Founder and CEO
CNX - Connected Nation Exchange

Brian Mefford is recognized as a leading resource among global corporations, policy makers, and associations interested in designing and executing digital inclusion strategies and programs around the world. He was featured as part of CSPAN's "Communicators" series and has been profiled in The Economist and The Wall Street Journal for efforts to provide broadband Internet and computers to underserved areas of the United States. Mr. Mefford serves as the Founder & CEO of CNX, Connected Nation Exchange, a company dedicated to mapping the nation's digital assets. Prior, Mr. Mefford served as the Chairman & CEO of Connected Nation, Inc., a nonprofit organization widely known for its ability to accelerate technology availability, literacy, and use among previously overlooked populations. Mr. Mefford was responsible for leading the successful design and execution of broadband expansion plans in Kentucky with ConnectKentucky - the organization's "proof of concept" project. Through those efforts, Kentucky went from "worst to first" among various technology indicators, making ConnectKentucky a model program for states seeking to ignite a technology turnaround of their own.

Mr. Mefford's extensive executive experience encompasses: business development and strategy, market intelligence and analysis, public affairs, and government relations. He has worked for and consulted with leaders at the highest levels of state and federal government. In a leadership capacity, he has been involved in a number of successful high-tech startups or early stage businesses in various parts of the United States. He founded The Coronado Group in Phoenix, Arizona and the Pareto Institute in Washington, D.C. He also worked as a tech sector market analyst for New York-based Fulcrum Analytics, a business intelligence and marketing services firm.

Mr. Mefford also serves on the Malaysia International Advisory Panel (IAP) which advises the Prime Minister of Malaysia on technology and wealth creation issues. The panel includes industry luminaries and thought leaders and warrants unrivaled access to the premier and other top government officials and helps design policies and programs that will shape the country for generations to come in Malaysia.

Mr. Mefford has participated in the Legislative Studies Program of the Governmental Affairs Institute at Georgetown University. He received a B.S. in Economics from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky and an International M.B.A. from Thunderbird, The American Graduate School of International Management, in Arizona. At Thunderbird, Mr. Mefford's focus was Business Intelligence and Communications and his regional specialization was Latin America.