Building the Future—One Gift at a Time
I am constantly reminded that the work we do is not just about innovation—it’s about people. It’s about opportunity. It’s about shaping a future in which the broadband industry thrives because its people do.
Since its inception, the SCTE Foundation has empowered professionals at every level of our industry through strategic investments in education, training, and support. Today, I want to share the full scope of our efforts—and invite you to be part of something transformative.
Unlocking talent with targeted scholarships
We are honored to carry forward the legacies of industry pioneers through several named scholarship funds. These are not just tributes—they’re investments in people who will lead us forward.
The Tony Werner Scholarship Fund, for instance, reflects Tony’s unwavering commitment to technological progress. By supporting students at his alma mater, Dakota College, we are ensuring that the next generation of broadband professionals receives the education they need to succeed.
Equally powerful is the Wilt J. Hildenbrand Jr. Scholarship, which funds college tuition for children of fallen soldiers. It honors Wilt’s four-decade legacy while extending opportunity to those who have sacrificed the most.
And then there is the Doug Semon “Zelmo” Scholarship, created in memory of a dedicated mentor and FIRST Robotics supporter. This fund provides grants to high school robotics teams, inspiring the next wave of innovators at the very beginning of their journeys.
Through the Sally Kinsman Scholarship, we remove barriers to participation in the very events and experiences Sally herself cherished—like SCTE TechExpo and industry recognition events. Her spirit lives on in every professional we help attend.
Catalyzing innovation through grants
Scholarships aren’t our only impact. We also provide grants that equip professionals with the tools and training to evolve in a fast-changing industry.
The General Fund underpins all of our work. It provides critical flexibility to launch programs, meet emerging needs, and support career development across the board. Every donation to the General Fund multiplies in impact—reaching more professionals, more companies, and more communities.
We’re especially proud of the Broadband Labor Academy, which we launched as a pilot program to explore scalable solutions to workforce challenges in the fiber optics space. As a pilot, it served a dual purpose: empowering individuals with limited access to traditional career paths, while also helping industry partners better understand the needs, barriers, and opportunities involved in scaling similar programs across the sector. It’s this kind of agile, evidence-based innovation that defines the SCTE Foundation’s approach to future-focused impact.
Our TechConnect Mentoring initiative, which first began in collaboration with The WICT Network, pairs rising talent with experienced leaders, fostering diversity, knowledge-sharing, and long-term professional growth. These relationships create ripple effects that last a lifetime.
Rising to meet urgent needs
Our commitment to people goes beyond development—it extends into times of crisis. The Disaster Support Fund provides immediate aid to broadband professionals and their families impacted by hurricanes, wildfires, and other disasters. Catch up on the full story by reading “Disaster Relief Efforts: Call to Action” in the Spring 2025 issue of Broadband Library at broadbandlibrary.com/scte-foundation.
And it’s your support that allows us to step in and say, We’ve got your back!
A call to action
Every one of these initiatives—every scholarship, every training program, every moment of relief—starts with your generosity. Whether you’re an individual looking to give back, a company wanting to shape the industry, or someone who believes in equitable access to opportunity—this is your moment to make a lasting impact.
At the SCTE Foundation, we are building more than networks. We are building futures.
Join us. Donate. Share.
Because when we invest in people, we connect the world.
Bill Warga
VP of Strategy & Technology
Liberty Global Inc.
Bill Warga is Vice President of Strategy & Technology at Liberty Global, Inc. His primary responsibilities include research and evaluation of new innovative technologies as they relate to Liberty’s strategic and business objectives. He also advises executive leadership on the competitive landscapes facing our industry. With decades of experience in both the broadcasting and cable industries, Mr. Warga is currently serving in leadership positions across the cable industry’s initiatives and consortiums including: the SCTE Board of Directors, the SCTE Foundation Board, RDK Management LLC, and CableLabs Technical Advisory Committee. He also sits on the boards of SVTA and the Technical Advisory Boards of Rocky Mountain PBS and Light Field Labs as well as various technical advisory boards of Fortune 500 companies. He is also a longtime member of IEEE, SMPTE and the ITU. Bill also chairs the SCTE Engineering Committee. In 2019 he was elected to the Cable TV Pioneers.
