Our Team
William Hoffman
Program Manager, Connect Minnesota
William Hoffman is the Connect Minnesota program manager. In that role, Hoffman leads Connect Minnesota’s continuing statewide effort to map broadband availability and increase broadband adoption and use, especially among vulnerable populations. Connect Minnesota’s efforts have been underway since 2008 to bring the economic and quality of life benefits of broadband to all Minnesota residents.
As Connect Minnesota’s program manager, Hoffman’s duties include promoting collaboration between Connect Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Commerce, the Governor’s Task Force on Broadband, and local, state, and federal policymakers. In addition, Hoffman will identify specific opportunities for increased residential adoption and economic development, especially through relationships in the private and nonprofit sectors.
Prior to joining Connect Minnesota, Hoffman was an independent government and public affairs consultant where he managed legislative and public affairs campaigns for national public policy clients. Hoffman holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Loyola University of New Orleans and a Masters of Public Administration and Policy from the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Pittsburgh.
Wil Payton
Communications Specialist
Wil Payton serves as a Communications Specialist where he is responsible for assisting with projecting a positive image of Connected Nation to stakeholders and the general public through various media activities including web and other multimedia assets. Wil coordinates with media at a national level to gain maximum exposure for Connected Nation’s activities and support partner communications and assist in strategic downstate media outreach.
Wil joins Connected Nation with extensive experience in public affairs, publication design and layout, web development and marketing and digital imaging most recently serving as Communications Consultant with BookMark Creative Services. In addition, he served as Graphic Designer for National Active & Retired Federal Employees Association, Art Director for Marine Corps Gazette and Communication/Public Affairs Specialist in the U.S. Air Force.
Wil holds a B.S. in Communications from Illinois State University.
Cassie Ruhlman
Stakeholder Relations Manager
Cassie Ruhlman serves as the Stakeholder Relations Manager. She functions as the primary relationship manager in all Connected Nation states that do not have permanent state-based offices. She is charged with developing, retaining, and growing client relationships by investing significant time in understanding the goals and needs of the state’s various agencies, libraries, educational systems, etc., and preparing responses to those findings based on Connected Nation’s suite of products or services. Moreover, Cassie is responsible for developing superior working relationships with key clients through regular and effective contact, communication, and customer service.
Prior to joining the Connected Nation team, Cassie served the constituents of the Fourth District of Kentucky by working for U.S. Congressman Geoff Davis. Cassie began by serving as a field representative in both rural and urban areas of the district where she worked to build relationships, provide education on federal services, and find solutions for constituents and elected officials alike. Cassie was promoted to handle casework for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Cassie expanded her vast knowledge of the Federal system after she became the Grants Director. As Grants Director, Cassie was charged with overseeing all grants operations for constituents in the Fourth District of Kentucky. In this position she served as the liaison between local grantees and the respective federal grantor agency by providing research, letters of support, and process guidance.
Cassie earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Thomas More College. She is currently pursuing a Masters in Public Administration at Northern Kentucky University.
Brent Atwood
Project Manager
Brent Atwood serves as Project Manager for Connected Nation. In this role, he will assist in the development and diffusion of a project management culture throughout the Connected Nation enterprise. Brent will have a lead role in Connected Nation project management activities including implementation efforts for our Connect State engagements and provide project management support for identified Connected Nation deliverables including eCS activities and assist in the facilitation of the governance process for Connected Nation’s Project Management methodology.
Brent joined Connected Nation with over ten years experience in materials management, production management, and sales and marketing. Prior to joining Connected Nation, he was a Senior Account Executive for Data Records Management Services in Paducah, Kentucky. In this role, Brent led sales efforts to achieve a 60% increase in customer base in both government and private sector industry. He also developed a regional sales initiative for state-of-the-art records management software program meeting all required HIPPA compliance standards for medical facilities as well as spearheading the design and development of a document management software program for safety engineering industry resulting in an initial 22% increase in revenue to corporate profits.
Brent holds a B.S. in Managerial Economics and Marketing from Liberty University.
