Jane Smith Patterson

Partner
Broadband Catalysts

Patterson, Brian Rathbone and Deborah Watts have created a new LLP, Broadband Catalysts, to promote broadband in rural and low-income urban areas. Patterson previously served as executive director of the first Rural Internet Access Authority in the United States; was executive director of the e-NC Authority, formerly the RIAA, an organization bringing affordable high-speed internet access to North Carolina, particularly in rural areas; and worked for Governor Jim Hunt (North Carolina) through his four terms in office.

Patterson graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has completed post-graduate degree work at North Carolina State University and additional studies at Harvard University. She serves on a number of boards for nonprofit organizations, including the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation and the Coalition for Local Internet Choice (CLIC).