Diane Smith

Diane Smith’s experience as an entrepreneur in rural America, combined with her background in public policy, gives her compelling insight into subjects ranging from emerging technologies and rural connectivity, to venture funding. From 2005 – 2007, Diane was a co-founder and CEO of Auroras Entertainment, an IPTV and digital media services company. During that time, she led Aurora’s evolution from concept to start-up through a merger to become Avail Media, Inc., where she served as President until 2008. In less than five years, Avail Media has grown to be the largest independent digital media services company in North America. Diane was also a senior executive with Alltel Corporation from 1988-2002, where she managed teams of public policy specialists to maximize the company’s opportunity for success in the rapidly changing local exchange and wireless industries. In 1993, Diane co-founded the Independent Telephone and Telecommunications Alliance, which successfully advocated for independent telephone company interests in the years leading up to the 1996 Telecommunications Act. Her telecom career began with Sprint, where for five years she represented the start-up long distance company before state and federal agencies and legislatures in the first years of emerging competition in the long distance market.
 
Today, Diane is a co-founder and investor/advisor in numerous organizations, several headquartered in rural America, including Northfork Strategies, LLC and Artists New Media. She is a member of the Montana Academy of Distinguished Entrepreneurs, a Director of Montana West Economic Development, and is the Syndication Chair of the Frontier Fund - Montana’s first angel investment group. She also chairs the Board of the Capitol Connection, a media subsidiary of GeorgeMason University in Northern Virginia. Diane is a member of the State Bars of Montana and Virginia. She lives in Whitefish, Montana with her husband David and 15 year old daughter, Ally.