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Speaker Biographies and Presentations Robert Albee Robert R. Albee is with the firm of Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB) in Watertown, Massachusetts as Managing Director of Telecommunications Engineering. Albee’s 43-year public works career encompasses significant accomplishments in utility and transportation infrastructure engineering and construction. For the Massachusetts Highway Department’s $14.6 billion Central Artery/Third Harbor Tunnel project, “The Big Dig”, he first served as Manager of Right of Way and Utilities, then as Director of Engineering and Design, and most recently as Director of Construction Services. Albee was with the City of Boston’s Public Works Department for 22 years and Chief Engineer to its Public Improvement Commission, responsible for construction or reconstruction of highways, sidewalks, bridges, and related facilities throughout the City. He is also an active member of the American Public Works Association since 1978; Albee was the 1997-1998 National President. He was President of the New England Chapter in 1991-1992, and has served on the national Board of Directors since 1993. He received APWA’s “Top Ten Public Works Leader of the Year” award in 1993 and the New England Chapter’s “Man of the Year” award in 1990. Debra Bowen First elected in 1992 to represent the 53rd Assembly District in west Los Angeles County, Secretary Bowen served three terms before being elected to represent the 28th Senate District in 1998. She then served two terms in the Senate until she was elected Secretary of State. During her time in the Legislature, Secretary Bowen chaired the Senate Elections, Reapportionment & Constitutional Amendments Committee for two years, the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee for six years, and the Assembly Natural Resources Committee for two years. At the national level, she chaired the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) E-Communications Steering Committee, served three years on NCSL's Executive Board, and was California's appointee to the NCSL Task Force on State and Local Taxation of Telecommunications and Electronic Commerce. Secretary Bowen is a longtime advocate of personal privacy and government transparency, especially through her groundbreaking use of the Internet to open government to computer users worldwide. In 1993, she authored the first-in-the-world law that put all of California's legislative information online, giving the public Internet access to information about bills, committee analyses, legislators' voting records and much more. The law has served as a model for other U.S. states and countries. Secretary Bowen was also the first California lawmaker to voluntarily put her campaign finance reports online in 1995. Secretary Bowen was born in Rockford, Illinois, and graduated from Michigan State University in 1976. After earning her law degree at the University of Virginia, she practiced corporate, tax and ERISA law at Winston & Strawn in Chicago and in Washington, D.C., at the Los Angeles office of Wall Street firm Hughes, Hubbard & Reed; and as a sole practitioner in Los Angeles. Bowen first volunteered her legal services as a member of the Heal the Bay Legal Committee, and eventually her practice grew to include environmental and land use cases, as well as tax and business matters. Rachelle Chong Rachelle Chong is a Commissioner of the California Public Utilities Commission. She was appointed on January 12, 2006 by Governor Schwarzenegger to a term ending January 1, 2009. In May 1994, President Bill Clinton appointed her as a Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission, where she served until November 1997. She has been a partner with the law firms of Graham & James (San Francisco) and Coudert Brothers (San Francisco/Palo Alto), specializing in communications and Internet regulatory matters. From 2000-2001, she has served as General Counsel and VP of Government Affairs to a start up venture, BroadBand Office, Inc. Commissioner Chong is a trained mediator and arbitrator. She holds dual degrees in Journalism and Political Science from UC Berkeley, and a J.D. degree from UC Hastings College of the Law. Ryan Croke Ryan Croke serves as a Policy Advisor in the Office of Illinois Lt. Governor Pat Quinn. In this capacity, he advises the Lt. Governor on broadband deployment efforts statewide. He works with the Illinois Director of Rural Affairs to plan Broadband Deployment Council meetings, maintains an ever-expanding broadband project catalog and more generally, serves as the staff resource on telecommunications policy. Ryan holds a BA in Political Science and Communication from the University of Illinois. He is currently completing his master’s thesis at the U of I, which focuses on telecommunications policy for the deaf in America. Tad Deriso Tad Deriso is the General Manager of the Mid-Atlantic Broadband Cooperative (MBC). Over the past 16 years, Tad has helped rural, underserved communities and telecom companies across the United States with planning and coordinating broadband telecommunications projects. He has developed technology-based economic development strategies as well as organizational structures and business models to incorporate performance-based measurement. Tad helped form MBC, a not-for-profit organization that has built an advanced open-access fiber optic transport network in Virginia. The project has received over $40 million in grants to build, operate and manage the network, and is a unique model of public/private partnerships. To view Tad's presentation, please click here. Seth Fearey Seth Fearey is VP & COO for Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network and project director for Wireless Silicon Valley. He joined Joint Venture in 2004. In 1989, Seth became involved with public policy issues, representing HP on the technology policy committee of the Washington DC-based Computer Systems Policy Project (CSPP). The CSPP's work on the National Information Infrastructure led directly to the formation of Smart Valley, one of the Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network initiatives launched in 1993. Seth served on the board of Smart Valley from 1993 to 1998 leading projects for the local government sector. Seth left HP in 1997 to consult on the application of broadband communications to economic development. Clients included the Great Valley Center (San Joaquin Valley); Ashland, Oregon; Chicago, Illinois; Mesa, Arizona, and The Board of Trade in Washington DC. To view Seth's presentation, please click here. Allen Hammond Allen Hammond is Professor of Law at the Santa Clara University School of Law and Director of the Law and Public Policy Program at the Center for Science Technology and Society at Santa Clara University. He is a graduate of Grinnell College (B.A., 1972), the University of Pennsylvania School of Law (J.D., 1975), and the Annenberg School of Communications at the University of Pennsylvania (M.A., 1977). Professor Hammond is the immediate past president of the Alliance for Public Technology, and a member of the SBC Telecommunications Advisory Panel. In addition, Professor Hammond has advised community-based organizations throughout California including the California NAACP, the California Community Technology Policy Group, the California Small Business Association and the Great Valley Center. Professor Hammond has also addressed and/or worked with the Community Technology Foundation of California, the Hispanic Association for Corporate Responsibility, One Hundred Black Men (Albany, New York), the National Urban League, and the national NAACP on methods for creating sustainable telecommunications infrastructure in communities. Laura Ipsen Laura K. Ipsen is vice president of Global Policy and Government Affairs for Cisco. Since 1996, she has been responsible for developing Cisco’s public policy agenda and managing government affairs activities worldwide. In addition, she is a co-chair of Cisco’s EcoBoard, focusing on Cisco’s initiatives and leadership on environmental issues, and leads the company’s Women’s Action Task Force, which identifies and recommends gender-focused strategies in partnership with the Inclusion and Diversity Council. Ipsen is the chair of the board of directors for the Information Technology Industry Council (ITIC), and serves on the board of the European American Business Council, the Public Affairs Council, and the Technology Board for Pacific Research Institute. She is the past president and chair of the board of the Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT). Prior to Cisco, Ipsen worked in government affairs and international trade for Hitachi Data Systems and Acer Corp. She began her career in government affairs and international trade with PriceWaterhouseCooper’s. Ipsen received her bachelor’s degree in international relations from the University of Virginia. She studied Arabic at Yarmouk University in Jordan, and did graduate work in business at Stanford University. David Keyes David Keyes has been working in the field of community and civic applications of information technology for more than 25 years. He joined the City of Seattle as the first community technology planner in the country in 1997 and has launched a number of innovative programs including Technology Matching Fund grants, Information Technology Indicators for a Healthy Community, access mapping, a Seniors Training Seniors in Computers program, and free cable broadband for non-profits. The City launched a public wi-fi pilot project in May 2005. David is a graduate of Antioch College and of the University of Washington's Evans School of Public Affairs. David currently serves on the Seattle Public Schools' Information Technology Levy Oversight Committee. Jed Kolko Jed Kolko is a Research Fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC), a non-profit, non-partisan research foundation. At PPIC Jed researches technology policy and state and local economic development. His current projects include a study of business relocation patterns; an assessment of the digital divide and broadband policy in California; and an analysis of how information technology changes where services industries locate. Prior to coming to PPIC in March 2006, Jed was Vice President and Research Director at Forrester Research, a technology consultancy, where he managed Forrester's consumer market research businesses and was the lead researcher on consumer devices and access technologies. He appeared widely in the press as an expert on consumer technologies and advised most of the top Internet service providers and consumer hardware manufacturers on product strategy. Jed has also worked at the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, the World Bank, and the Progressive Policy Institute. He has a Ph.D. in Economics from Harvard University. Sunne Wright McPeak Sunne Wright McPeak is the President and CEO of the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF), a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to accelerating the deployment of broadband technology and closing the Digital Divide. For 3 years prior, McPeak served as Secretary of the California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency for Governor Schwarzenegger, where she oversaw the largest state Agency, including Caltrans, DMV, CHP, Housing, several business regulatory departments, and programs for tourism, film, trade and small business. Before being recruited to the Governor’s Cabinet, McPeak served as President and CEO of the Bay Area Council, a major employer-led policy organization promoting regional economic prosperity. She served for more than fifteen years as an elected member of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors and was President of the California State Association of Counties in 1983. She also served on the Boards of Directors of two publicly traded corporations for almost 2 decades. Sunne earned a B.A. in an Individual Major from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Masters of Public Health from the University of California, Berkeley. She has been awarded two honorary doctorates. Brian Mefford Brian Mefford serves as the President & CEO of Connected Nation, Inc., a non-profit group whose mission is to accelerate technology availability, literacy and use throughout the nation. During his tenure, he has been responsible for leading the successful efforts of broadband expansion in Kentucky with ConnectKentucky – the organization’s pilot project. Mr. Mefford has extensive experience in business development and leadership, business intelligence and communications, and government affairs. He founded The Coronado Group in Phoenix, Arizona and the Pareto Institute in Washington, D.C. He also worked as a high-tech sector market analyst for New York-based Fulcrum Analytics, a business intelligence and marketing services firm. Immediately prior to his role at Connected Nation, Mr. Mefford served as Chief of Staff to Kentucky Commerce Secretary Jim Host. He also served as Chief Information Officer for the Commerce Cabinet as well as Governor Ernie Fletcher’s Legislative Liaison for Commerce and Economic Development. To view Brian's presentation, please click here. Pat Miller Pat Miller earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Tennessee in 1983 and received his Doctor of Jurisprudence from the Nashville School of Law in 1988. Director Miller served as a fiscal analyst for the Tennessee General Assembly's Fiscal Review Committee from 1987 to 1993 and as legislative liaison for the Tennessee Supreme Court from 1993 to 1997. He served as chief of staff to Senate Speaker and Lt. Gov. John Wilder from 1997 to 2002, when he was then appointed to a six-year term as a director of the Tennessee Regulatory Authority. Director Miller serves on the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) Committee on Electricity, the NARUC Committee on International Relations, and the NARUC Subcommittee on Nuclear Issues-Waste Disposal. He also serves on the board of directors for the organization of PJM states, an organization that monitors the electricity reliability and usage of the regional transmission organization in fourteen states including Tennessee. He is a member of the Tennessee Broadband Task Force, Tennessee Information Systems Council, and the Southeastern Regulatory Utility Commissioners (SEARUC). Anne Neville Anne Neville is the manager for the California Broadband Initiative at the California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency. Most recently she served as a senior analyst at the California Public Utilities Commission. Prior to her work at the Commission, Anne served as a legislative aide to State Senator Sheila Kuehl. At Community Technology Centers' Network (CTCNet) Anne helped develop and oversee a grant program that successfully enabled non-profit organizations to improve the technology access available to their participants. Prior to this, she founded and directed the Cyber Y Community Technology Center, featured in U.S. News and World Report for its work with online safety. She has also served on the working group of the California Community Technology Policy Group and directed the San Diego Community Technology Coalition. She holds a B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an M.P.A. from the University of Southern California. Jane Smith Patterson Jane Smith Patterson currently serves as executive director of the e-NC Authority, an organization with a goal of bringing affordable high-speed Internet access to the citizens, businesses and institutions of North Carolina, particularly in rural areas. Prior to taking this leadership position in 2001, Jane worked for North Carolina Gov. Jim Hunt through his four terms in office, first as secretary of administration, then as chief advisor for policy, budget and technology, and finally as senior advisor for science and technology and director of the office for technology. Jane’s background also includes working in the private industry as vice-president of ITT Corporation- Network Systems Group, of ITT-Alcatel and Alcatel, NA. She consistently leads focused efforts to improve technology and its application, in order to enhance the economy of North Carolina and advance educational opportunities for future generations. Jane is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and has completed post-graduate work at N.C. State University and Harvard University. She serves on a number of boards for nonprofit organizations, including the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation. To view Jane's presentation, please click here. Pankaj Shah Pankaj Shah serves as Director of OSCnet, Ohio Supercomputer Center’s networking division. OSCnet is a GigaPoP on the Abilene network. OSCnet is Ohio’s Broadband backbone serving K-20, Education, Research, Healthcare, State and Local Governments, Local and regional rings. Prior to this position, Shah worked as Senior Director for American Distance Education Consortium (ADEC) and Marquette University’s Director of Infrastructure for Information Technology Services. Before that, he was responsible for creating and managing OARnet’s Internet2 Technology Evaluation Center (ITEC-Ohio). Shah serves on various Internet2, Abilene and The Quilt committees. He is currently on the Internet2’s Governance and Nominations Committee, ADEC Engineering Team and represents the Third Frontier Network of Ohio at State and National levels. He also serves on the Steering Committee of StateNets group within Net@edu and Educause. Focusing on emerging needs in research, education, government and economic development, Shah has identified trends in high-speed data transfer, videoconferencing, optical, wireless and satellite-based hybrid networking. During his previous tenure at OSC, he was an instrumental partner in the Transportable Satellite Internet System, a satellite trailer used for distance learning and special events in rural areas, and at conferences where reliable terrestrial Internet connectivity is unavailable. To view Pankaj's presentation, please click here. Eric Stark Eric R. Stark serves as Associate Administrator for the Office of Policy Analysis and Development in the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). In this capacity, he directs the department that conducts research and analysis and prepares policy recommendations for the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information. Mr. Stark was appointed to the post on July 11, 2005. Prior to his service in the Administration, Mr. Stark was Global Account Director for AT&T in San Francisco, California, responsible for leading a worldwide sales team for one of AT&T's largest accounts. From 1998 to 2002, he was Regional Sales Manager for AT&T in Los Angeles, California. Prior to that, Mr. Stark served in a variety of sales and operations roles for AT&T in both business and consumer markets. Mr. Stark received his B.A. in Economics and Business from Westmont College in Santa Barbara and an M.B.A. from the University of Southern California in 1996. Emy Tseng Emy Tseng currently works as the Project Director of Digital Inclusion Programs for the City and County of San Francisco. She is currently a member of the California Broadband Task Force. Emy was formerly Senior Policy Advisor at the Community Technology Foundation of California (CTFC), a public foundation dedicated to bringing technology access to underserved communities in California where she also managed the Innovation Funders Network (IFN), an affinity group of the Council on Foundations. She has worked on information and communications technology policy for a number of public interest organizations including the Ford Foundation, Consumers Union and NYCwireless. At the MIT Program on Internet & Telecoms Convergence, she conducted research on broadband Internet policy, municipal networking and fiber to the home. She previously worked for eleven years in the software industry as a network engineer, project manager and software architect. Emy has a Masters of Science degree in Technology and Policy Program from MIT, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Math/Physics from Brown University. Galen Updike Since August of 2003, Galen Updike has served the Telecommunications Development Manager for the State of Arizona office of Government Information and Technology Agency (GITA). His role is strategic rather than operational, with a goal to advance the availability of advanced telecommunications and broadband capacity in the State of Arizona. Mr. Updike’s background includes 29 years of private sector sales and consulting in the computer industry. This has included work with enterprise solutions for both private industry and the public. In addition, Mr. Updike has had a wide variety of public service opportunities, as a member and leader of technology and business associations, and as an appointed member of Arizona House of Representatives (District 29, Mesa, 2000-01). Directly related to his current interests, he also served as a Board Member and Lobbyist for the Arizona Telecommunication and Information Council (ATIC) from 2001 to 2003. He is still actively involved with ATIC. Bailey White Bailey White is a Senior Partner at Civitium where he helps cities, counties, and states define and achieve goals of economic development, educational improvement, and efficiency through wireless broadband initiatives. Civitium has advised over fifty such jurisdictions in the last three years including major cities such as Philadelphia, San Francisco, Houston, and Chicago, regional initiatives in Colorado and Long Island, and the State of Georgia. Bailey is a graduate of Stanford University. To view Bailey's presentation, please click here. |
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