Toptana Technologies Welcomes Jeff Capoeman and James Hobucket-Shale as New Board Leadership to Steward its Mission of Connectivity for All

TAHOLAH, WA - August 16, 2024 - Toptana Technologies, the only indigenous-owned cable landing station and backhaul network provider on the United States West Coast, announced today that Jeff Capoeman and James Hobucket-Shale will serve on the company’s Board of Directors. Jeff Capoeman will be the new Chairperson, while James Hobucket-Shale will assume the role of Vice Chairperson. 

Capoeman, the Assistant Budget Manager of the Quinault Indian Nation (QIN) and a lifelong QIN member, has a background in financial management, data analytics, and project management. His experience will help advance the organization’s goals while keeping the tribe’s best interests at the forefront of all Toptana business decisions. 

‘“It’s an honor to serve as Chairperson of the Board at Toptana Technologies, and I believe I can be instrumental in not only making decisions on the board but also playing an important role in building relationships between stakeholders and the community,” said Capoeman. “I’m excited to build on Tyson’s contributions to Toptana, and I will continue to work hard to close the digital divide while building equity for the tribe.”  

Tyson Johnston, former Chairperson, was recently elected as the 4th Councilperson to the Quinault Indian Nation’s Tribal Council. In this position, Johnston helps govern the Nation, oversee tribal affairs, manage resources, and help to ensure the welfare of the community. Johnston will continue to serve as an ex officio member of Toptana’s board. 

“I’m excited to remain on the board in an ex officio capacity and to support Jeff in any way I can,” said Johnston. “By remaining on the board and serving as a council member, I can help align Toptana’s goals with the best interests of the Nation and continue to work towards achieving parity for our people. We look forward to seeing this project come to fruition, and I think Jeff will add a layer of dynamic leadership that will benefit the board.”

QIN member James Hobucket–Shale is stepping in as Vice Chairperson. His extensive experience in the cable, telecommunications, housing, emergency response, and fishery industries offers diverse leadership skills. Hobucket-Shale’s strong community background (former Quinault Business Committee legislator and Quinault Enterprise Board) will also help drive engagement with Tribal members.

While Copoeman and Hobucket-Shale are onboarded in their roles, current board members Mercy Manning, and John Mariano continue to move Toptana Technologies forward into its next development phase.

“It’s an exciting time for Toptana,” said Manning. “We are in an excellent position to move forward into the next phase of our business model, bringing new infrastructure and connectivity that is needed in our industry, and Toptana is doing so while upholding the environmental stewardship and values of the Quinault people.”

"Toptana offers customers a unique and streamlined solution," said Mariano. "The project not only provides an opportunity to efficiently land multiple cables at the same facility but will carry these international data providers onward connectivity to gateway locations critical to their operations.  Combining cable landing facilities and a gateway to the US network makes Toptana truly a one-stop shop for seamless connectivity."

View our latest video or visit us at toptanatech.com to learn more about Toptana’s story and mission.

About Toptana Technologies ‍

Toptana is driven by a vision of a truly connected world. We’re an indigenous-owned internet infrastructure and technology company focused on bringing connectivity to unserved and under-served communities. Our mission is to connect the digitally disconnected so that all people can fully participate in the digital economy. 

Our Washington State cable landing station offers subsea transpacific connectivity from the U.S. to Asia-Pacific markets. The backhaul network offers terrestrial connectivity along the I-5 corridor to Seattle, WA and Hillsboro, OR. We offer businesses the opportunity to get their traffic where it needs to go, while protecting our precious resources and improving the lives of those in need.