USTelecom Nominates Ziply’s Jessica Epley to USAC Board
The move comes as industry leaders focus on strengthening the administration of federal broadband and telecommunications programs
WASHINGTON, Oct. 7, 2026 - USTelecom has nominated Jessica Epley, Vice President of Regulatory and External Affairs at Ziply Fiber, to serve as the Universal Service Administrative Company’s Board Representative for interexchange carriers with annual operating revenues of $3 billion or less.
In its nomination letter, USTelecom - The Broadband Association puts forward Epley to fill the seat currently held by Brian Dalhover of Zayo Group, whose term expires at the end of 2026. The position represents smaller interexchange carriers in USAC’s governance of the $8.5 billion Universal Service Fund, which administers the E-Rate, Lifeline, High Cost and Rural Health Care programs.
Epley, who leads government affairs for Ziply Fiber, has extensive experience in telecom regulation and state and federal USF-related proceedings. Her background includes service on state universal service advisory boards and telecom industry boards, giving her direct exposure to how USF policies affect mid-sized and rural carriers.
The nomination comes as the FCC is simultaneously reviewing USAC’s overall governance structure, including board composition and independence, in its “Maximizing Efficiencies in Universal Service Administration” proceeding.
In Sept. 30 comments filed with the FCC, the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association called for “greater transparency in USAC’s administrative processes will promote the efficiency of USAC operations,” tying openness directly to performance and cost control.
CTIA’s filing urges the commission to mandate more detailed public reporting on USAC’s budgeting, staffing, contractor use and key performance metrics across the E-Rate, Lifeline, High Cost and Rural Health Care programs. The group says stakeholders and the FCC currently lack sufficient visibility into how USAC allocates resources, sets priorities and measures success, making it harder to identify waste, delays or unnecessary administrative burdens.
The comments call for clearer, standardized procedures for rule changes, form updates and system modifications that affect USF participants. If selected by the commission, Epley would join a board that is under pressure to improve transparency, reduce administrative costs and strengthen USF oversight.
