Increasing broadband access remains key for Washington County Authority
Courtesy of John Timney
Broadband internet is installed in Washington County in this undated photo.
Courtesy of John Timney
John Timney, executive director of the Washington County Authority
Photo courtesy of John Timney
Washington County Commissioners Diana Irey Vaughan, Larry Maggi and Nick Sherman watch as Brian Jeffers splices fiber that will be installed for new customers in the area.
Mike Jones/Observer-Reporter
Washington County Authority Director John Timney, right, conducts an internet speed test at the Century Inn in Scenery Hill while Joe McGuinness of DQE Communications looks on in this photo from December.
Photo courtesy of John Timney
State Sen. Camera Bartolotta helps Brian Jeffers splice fiber at the event, which she later learned will be the actual wires that are installed for customers in the community.
Courtesy of John Timney
{span}John Timney, executive director of the Washington County Authority{/span}
Courtesy of John Timney
{span}John Timney, executive director of the Washington County Authority{/span}
The Washington County Authority has had many focuses during its 72 years of oversight in the local community. Land development was a major initiative a few years ago, featuring the continued buildout of Southpointe I and II, which transformed the mixed-use park in Cecil Township into a vibrant mega-park. There also was the construction of the correctional facility.
John Timney is steering the Authority toward a new identity. “It’s more on telecommunications space now,” said the organization’s executive director, who succeeded Bill Sember in that position. “It’s not just for residents, but businesses too. A lot of places have had no service at all.”
Broadband now highlights a broad list of Authority projects, and for good reason. A formidable number of residents, businesses and commuters across this rural county’s 861 square miles are either unserved or underserved because of poor internet connection. The sparsely populated western half of Washington County, especially, has been affected.
Timney has been on the job for two years. He occupies an office at 100 W. Beau St. in downtown Washington and works with a board of seven. “Our board is very sophisticated, very diverse and very experienced. Their eyes are pretty wide open on what we could be doing.”
He said the Authority is now “working on projects in five unserved areas by implementing fiber to impact 7,500 people over the next 24 months.” These would be projects that have been awarded, are in contract negotiation or permitting, are in physical construction or are done.
“If Aunt Betty Smith calls and complains about her lack of connectivity, she’s your boss.”
The Authority has embarked on several projects since it started a broadband initiative in January 2022 – four months after Timney was hired. At that time, the organization partnered with Hickory Telephone Co. to kick off a pilot project that would provide high-speed internet to 50 homes and Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village. The Authority followed up on that success later that year, working with DQE Communications in towns along Route 40 in eastern Washington County.
Then, less than a week before Christmas, Timney conducted an internet speed test at the Century Inn in underserved Scenery Hill that merited a passing grade and cheers from a small crowd watching it unfold.
About eight months later, the Authority undertook a high-profile project: the 225th annual Washington County Fair. Telecommunications issues have historically beset the fairgrounds in Chartiers Township. Those issues were alleviated this August thanks to a collaboration of the Authority, Verizon, DQE and a group of local organizations.
Enter another cow at the fair, one that should be an award winner. Verizon sponsored and paid for a “Cell on Wheels” COW – a 60-foot-high mobile tower that enhanced connectivity. Timney said the roots of that endeavor were planted at last year’s fair when County Commissioner Diana Irey Vaughan mentioned the poor connectivity. “I made calls,” he said, “and we were able to find a Verizon tech who was able to lift up the adjustable towers.
“I think the board of commissioners was very pleased, and our board was pleased (with the COW).”
A Beaver County native, Timney came to the Authority with a hefty telecommunications background. He was a 22-year employee and a vice president at Crown Castle, the nation’s largest provider of shared communications infrastructure. Its Southpointe location is one of the largest employers in Washington County.
He is an energetic individual, thoughtful and eager to work with others. “With an organization this small, I don’t see us getting much bigger. But we have to stretch, work and collaborate. The private-public partnerships we have are invaluable. We must harvest and generate revenue.
“Being cognizant of all working parts of programs and constraints is important, and so is working through the nuances of governmental organizations.”
Timney and his wife, Juanita, reside in Peters Township with their two adopted children: Harper Lee, 13, and Liam, 11. The Authority’s executive director also maintains a fast pace off the job, coaching sports at St. Louise de Marillac Church in Upper St. Clair, volunteering for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and pursuing photography.
Other projects are ahead, but for now, internet connectivity is a major priority for the Authority.
“Broadband really set the tone for me getting hired,” Timney said. “I interviewed three times, and in the final stages of the interviews, broadband came into play. The commissioners asked how interested I was in a broadband project. My experience at Crown Castle probably benefited me in getting the job.”
He and the Authority board are now striving to benefit those who are unserved and underserved, telecommunications-wise, in Washington County.