Meet the Leadership Team
IXP.US is guided by a leadership team with deep expertise in neutral interconnection, broadband infrastructure, and national-scale public–private collaboration. Together, they bring decades of experience designing IXPs, advancing connectivity policy, and executing complex infrastructure projects across the country. Their combined strengths in technical architecture, strategic vision, and program delivery ensure that we can build the regional interconnection fabric required to power the nation’s digital future and the emerging AI economy.
Hunter Newby
CEO, Newby Ventures
Hunter is a nationally recognized expert in carrier hotels, neutral colocation, and long-haul fiber infrastructure. As the co-founder of multiple major IXPs and a pioneer of carrier-neutral interconnection in the United States, he brings decades of experience building the facilities and frameworks that modern networks depend on. Hunter guides IXP.US's technical vision, ensuring each regional IXP is designed for performance, neutrality, and long-term scalability.
Tom Ferree
Chairman & CEO, Connected Nation
Tom serves as the executive leader driving Connected Nation’s mission to expand broadband access and modern connectivity across the country. With deep expertise in public-private collaboration, policy, and community engagement, he oversees IXP.US's strategic direction and ensures alignment with national priorities for economic development, digital opportunity, and infrastructure modernization.
Brent Legg
IXP Group Lead / EVP, Connected Nation
Brent is the architect behind IXP.US's plan to build 125+ regional Internet Exchange Points across the United States. With more than two decades of experience shaping telecommunications policy, advancing broadband deployment, and developing partnerships with states, universities, communities, carriers, and hyperscalers, he drives the program’s execution and industry engagement. Brent champions the idea that network interconnection is the foundation of the AI economy and works to bring IXPs to communities that need them most.
Jim Stewart
Strategic Advisor
Jim Stewart has worked professionally as a technologist for more than 47 years. Jim most recently served as Chief Technology Officer for the Utah Education and Telehealth Network (UETN), the state research and education network that connects more than 1,800 sites across Utah—serving K-12 schools, higher education institutions, public libraries, and health care facilities. He has served as a member of the Internet2 inCommon Steering Committee, a Trustee for UtahSAINT (a professional organization of technical and network security professionals), and a board member of The Quilt (a national collaborative focused on developing advanced cyberinfrastructure for research and education networks). In 2022, he was the recipient of The Quilt’s Dave Reese Distinguished Service Award.
Tonya Witherspoon
Strategic Advisor
Tonya is a technology and economic development leader with more than three decades of experience building partnerships across industry, higher education, workforce, and emerging technology. As Founder and CEO of MindScapes and former Associate Vice President for Industry Engagement and Applied Learning at Wichita State University, she has led complex public-private initiatives that connect infrastructure, talent, and regional economic growth. Tonya was instrumental in bringing IXP.US’s pilot Internet Exchange Point to Wichita and now leads strategic partnerships and community engagement, helping universities, governments, broadband providers, and business leaders use neutral interconnection to strengthen regional competitiveness and prepare for the AI economy.