Kimberly Long

Kimberly Long brings together more than two decades of experience spanning telecommunications infrastructure, tribal leadership, hospitality, and emerging technology research. During her 20-year tenure with Verizon, she served as a Senior Construction Engineer, leading complex, mission-critical initiatives, including the retrofit of mobile switching centers and data centers, and the greenfield development of a 120,000-square-foot Tier 4 data center in Rocklin, California. The project’s full redundancy design and operational demands reflect her deep expertise in large-scale systems, strategic planning, and high-stakes execution from feasibility through commissioning the facility.

Her commitment to ethical leadership extends well beyond her professional roles. From 2017 to 2024, Kimberly served on the Poarch Creek Indians Ethics Board, contributing to principled governance and strengthening institutional integrity within her tribal community. A lifelong learner and advocate for Indigenous leadership in STEM and emerging technologies, Kimberly serves as a peer mentor with the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES), supporting students through the CLOUDS (Cultivating Leadership Opportunities and Uplifting Digital Skills) program. She is also a Cobell Scholar, Native Forward Scholar, and AISES Scholar, underscoring her dedication to academic excellence and service.

Kimberly graduated Summa Cum Laude from Texas A&M University with a degree in Hospitality, Hotel Management, and Tourism. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D., with research focused on the implementation and impact of artificial intelligence in the gaming industry. A proud member of the Poarch Creek Indians, Kimberly grounds her professional and academic work in service to her community and future generations. She and her husband, Timothy Pelton, share three children and twelve grandchildren. They make their home on a small hay-producing ranch in Texas, where family, culture, and land stewardship remain central to daily life.