April Ward Joins WIA as VP of Communications

September 3, 2024

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) is pleased to announce that April Ward has been hired as Vice President, Communications.

Ward joins WIA from the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority), within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), where she was Chief of Staff.  In that role, Ward was responsible for external and internal communications, legislative affairs, and executive operations programs for the agency, which oversees a public-private partnership to provide dedicated wireless broadband to the public safety community.  Before serving as Chief of Staff, Ward also served as Deputy Communications Director and Senior Media Relations Advisor for the FirstNet Authority.  At WIA, she will help develop and execute a broad communications and public affairs strategy that empowers the association to achieve its objectives and execute its mission of enabling connectivity everywhere.

“This is an important time for the continued expansion of mobile and fixed wireless networks in America and I’m excited to be joining the committed team at WIA,” said Ward. “My previous experience has shown me how important the communications services WIA’s members provide are to every community.  I look forward to ensuring the vital role wireless infrastructure plays for our nation’s connectivity and the opportunities, innovations, and resiliency it enables are well understood.”

“April’s experience as a leader in strategic communications will boost the work we do every day on behalf of our members,” said WIA President and CEO Patrick Halley. “Her work to forge a successful public-private partnership at the FirstNet Authority, including partnerships with state and local governments, will serve WIA and its members well.  Her combination of storytelling, media relations and political savvy is the right mix for spotlighting the important work the wireless infrastructure industry achieves day in and day out.” 

Prior to her time at the FirstNet Authority, Ward served in communications leadership positions in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Ohio House of Representatives.  She brings more than 15 years of communications and digital media experience with her to WIA.

About WIA:

The Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) represents the businesses that build, develop, own, and operate the nation’s wireless infrastructure. WIA advocates for the widespread, responsible deployment of wireless infrastructure to enable connectivity everywhere.

Media Contact: Mike Saperstein | 773-727-1269 | michael.saperstein@wia.org