- President George W. Bush, she served a key role at USDA Rural Development during the George W. Bush administration as Administrator for Rural Utilities Service. At the national level, she managed a budget of $6 billion in loan and grant money, where she prioritized investing portfolio assets in rural areas across the country critically needing broadband and other utility services;

- President George H.W. Bush she was the Alternate Federal Co-Chairman for the Appalachian Regional Commission. With the primary duty of representing and promoting economic policy, she assisted managing a budget of $190 million to create jobs in Appalachia, improve education, and build infrastructure to support the region of 21 million people.

- President Ronald Reagan's administration, Hilda worked at the U.S. Department of Education. Prior to that role, she was a teacher in Adair County schools. With a career based early in teaching, Hilda recognizes the critical role broadband plays in the future of education, which is one of the reasons she remains committed to bringing high-speed internet to all of Kentucky.

- At the Center for Rural Development in Somerset, Kentucky, Hilda served as the first Executive Director and CEO. The Center is considered a national model for rural economic development.