David Abecassis
Partner
Analysys Mason
David Abecassis is a Partner in Analysys Mason’s London office. Since joining the firm in 2004, he has advised clients on cutting-edge topics including public policy, economic regulation, corporate strategy, due diligence and corporate finance. He has worked in over 30 countries across the world – previously based in Analysys Mason offices in Singapore and Milan, he continues to serve clients worldwide. David also leads the organization's internet initiative. In this role, one of his key areas of interest is the convergence of, and interactions between, the online world, telecoms networks and media content. He leads engagements with internet companies and policy makers on fast-moving, complex topics at the interface of technology, media and telecoms.
John Banghart
Senior Director for Cybersecurity Services
Venable LLP
John Banghart leverages his significant federal government and private sector experience in cybersecurity to navigate issues related to risk management, government policy, standards and regulatory compliance, and incident management. He has successfully led efforts to address significant and high-profile cybersecurity issues within major government programs and institutions while facing complex legal, technical, and political circumstances. From 2013 to 2015, John played a key role in developing the Obama administration's cybersecurity and technology policy as the National Security Council's director for federal cybersecurity. He served as a primary advisor on cybersecurity incidents and preparedness and led the National Security Council’s efforts to address significant cybersecurity incidents, including those at OPM and the White House, among others.
Van Bloys
Senior Counsel, Utility Relations
Crown Castle
Van Bloys is Senior Counsel, Utility Relations for Crown Castle, where he counsels the company on utility infrastructure siting issues nationwide. Van is well versed in laws governing the deployment of wireline and wireless telecommunications facilities, including pole attachments and small cell siting. He works together with utilities, jurisdictions and other entities to ensure the safe and reliable deployment of facilities in the right-of-way. Prior to joining Crown Castle, he was an associate in the Washington, D.C., office of Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, where he represented telecommunications providers before the FCC, state public service commissions, local governments and the courts. Van also previously served as counsel to the Wireless Infrastructure Association, with advocacy before state legislatures, public utility commissions and municipalities. He received his B.A. in Art History from Georgetown University and his J.D. from American University Washington College of Law, where he served as Note & Comment Editor on the Administrative Law Review, as well as a Classroom Dean’s Fellow.
Brendan Carr
Commissioner
Federal Communications Commission
Commissioner Brendan Carr is the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, and he served previously as the agency’s General Counsel. Described by Axios as “the FCC’s 5G crusader,” Carr has led the FCC’s work to modernize its infrastructure rules and accelerate the buildout of high-speed networks. His reforms cut billions of dollars in red tape, enabled the private sector to construct high-speed networks in communities across the country, and extended America’s global leadership in 5G. Commissioner Carr is also focused on expanding America’s skilled workforce—the tower climbers and construction crews needed to build next-gen networks. His jobs initiative promotes community colleges and apprenticeships as a pipeline for good-paying 5G jobs. And he is recognizing America’s talented and hardworking tower crews through a series of “5G Ready” Hard Hat presentations. Commissioner Carr leads a groundbreaking telehealth initiative at the FCC. The Connected Care Pilot Program supports the delivery of high-quality care to low-income Americans and veterans. Commissioner Carr’s time outside of Washington helps inform his approach to the job. He regularly hits the road to hear directly from the community members, local leaders, and small business owners that are impacted by the FCC’s policies at town halls and events across the country. Commissioner Carr brings nearly 20 years of private and public sector experience in communications and tech policy to his position. Before joining the agency as a staffer back in 2012, he worked as an attorney at Wiley Rein LLP in the firm’s appellate, litigation, and telecom practices. Previously, Commissioner Carr clerked on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit for Judge Dennis Shedd. And after attending Georgetown University for his undergrad, Commissioner Carr earned his J.D. magna cum laude from the Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law where he served as an editor of the Catholic University Law Review. Commissioner Carr was nominated to the FCC by President Trump and confirmed unanimously by the United States Senate.
Sally Burchfield Doty
Director
Office of Broadband Expansion and Accessibility of Mississippi
Sally Burchfield Doty was named by Governor Tate Reeves as the first director of the Office of Broadband Expansion and Accessibility of Mississippi (BEAM). The new office serves as the single point of contact for broadband policy, grant funding, and administration for the State of Mississippi. Sally is an attorney, and most recently served as the Executive Director of the Mississippi Public Utilities Staff. Previously she served three terms in the Mississippi Senate representing Southwest Mississippi, serving as Chair of Judiciary A, and Vice-Chair of Finance. Sally grew up in Kosciusko but has lived in Brookhaven for 25 years. She is adjusting to life as an empty nester and welcomed her first grandchild in November.
Michele C. Farquhar
Office Managing Partner
Hogan Lovells
Michele Farquhar serves as the managing partner of Hogan Lovells' Washington, D.C. office. She helps clients with a range of global and U.S. communications policy initiatives, spectrum auctions, licensing and compliance matters, and regulatory strategy involving M&A transactions as well as litigation. Michele obtains regulatory approvals, waivers, and other licenses for many new and cutting-edge technologies. And she leads teams advising major global companies on regulatory strategy issues involving a range of international jurisdictions. Michele joined the firm in 1997, after serving as chief of the FCC Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. While at the FCC, she led the agency's new spectrum auction initiative and held primary responsibility over several major auctions and spectrum policy initiatives, as well as the bureau's implementation of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Previously Michele served as acting deputy assistant secretary and chief of staff for the NTIA, was vice president for Law and Regulatory Policy at the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association.
Evan Feinman
Director
Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program
Evan Feinman is the director of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program, the primary program deploying broadband created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. He has previously served in multiple roles within government, on political campaigns, and in the private sector; most recently directing both the Virginia broadband effort and a state economic development agency. Evan received his Bachelor’s degree from University of Virginia, his law degree from Washington and Lee, and has completed multiple public policy fellowships.
Tamar E. Finn
Partner
Morgan Lewis
Tamar Finn has 25 years of experience representing clients on telecommunications issues before the FCC, state public utility commissions, courts and Congress. She also advises carriers, private equity firms and venture capital funds with respect to investments in the telecommunsications, media and technology (TMT) sectors. Tamar advises clients with respect to telecommunications rulemakings, regulatory compliance, audits and investigations, transactional diligence and regulatory approvals. Her clients include competitive fiber providers, communications infrastructure providers, Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) providers, a Telecommunications Relay Service provider, and private equity firms investing in the TMT sector. Tamar represents communications companies in key proceedings before the FCC regarding universal service, broadband, local competition, intercarrier compensation, and Telecommunications Relay Services. Tamar regularly counsels clients in the day-to-day management of incorporating regulatory compliance into their business. Tamar advises clients on all aspects of universal service, including contributions to the universal service fund (USF) and distributions from federal USF and other broadband funding programs, including E-rate. She assists clients with developing basic regulatory compliance programs, prosecuting appeals before both the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) and the FCC, advocating policy changes, and defending companies under audits and investigations for possible violations of laws and regulations. In her transactional practice, Tamar advises a broad range of companies and investors on the regulatory aspects of mergers, acquisitions, and investments. In particular, Tamar advises clients on regulatory diligence issues and FCC, state commission and local authority regulatory approvals.
Sen. Deb Fischer
R-Nebraska
A lifelong Nebraskan, Deb Fischer is the senior senator from Nebraska. In November 2012, Fischer was first elected to the U.S. Senate becoming the first Nebraska woman elected to a full term and the first Nebraska state senator elected directly after service in the state legislature. Six years later, in November 2018, Nebraskans overwhelmingly voted to send her back to the U.S. Senate for a second term. Sen. Fischer serves on the Senate’s Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee and serves as the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security. This chairmanship enables her to continue leading on infrastructure, especially roads and broadband, which have been her top priorities dating back to her time in the Nebraska Legislature. Sen. Fischer also sits on the Senate Agriculture Committee, a vital committee to Nebraska where agriculture is the economic engine of the state. She is a Nebraska cattle rancher with over 40 years of real-life experience working with agriculture producers and rural and economic development groups across the state. Before her election to the U.S. Senate, Fischer served in the Nebraska Unicameral, representing the 43rd Legislative District since 2004. During her time in the state legislature, she chaired the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee. She was also a member of the Revenue Committee, the Natural Resources Committee, and the Executive Board.
Harold Furchtgott-Roth
Former FCC Commissioner
President, Furchtgott-Roth Economic Enterprises
Harold Furchtgott-Roth is a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and founder and director of the Center for the Economics of the Internet. He also founded Furchtgott-Roth Economic Enterprises, an economic consulting firm, in 2003. He is the author or coauthor of four books and frequently comments on issues related to the communications sector of the economy. From 1997 through 2001, Harold served as a commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission. Before his appointment to the FCC, he was chief economist for the House Committee on Commerce and a principal staff member on the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Earlier in his career, he was a senior economist with Economists Incorporated and a research analyst with the Center for Naval Analyses. He received a Ph.D. in economics from Stanford and an S.B. in economics from MIT.
Michael B. Galvin
Chair, INCOMPAS Board of Directors
Chief Administrative Officer, Granite Telecommunications, LLC
Mike Galvin leads Granite’s strategic and tactical legal initiatives, initiating the development of corporate policies and assists with major sales, large vendor relations, employment matters, public relations and marketing and is responsible for the work of in-house and outside counsel. Before Granite, Mike was a partner at a prominent, Boston-based law firm that specialized in business and commercial disputes, and also worked as a state prosecutor. He is active in several bar and civic organizations, including the Federal Communications Bar Association and the YMCA. He also is a multiple time Ironman finisher. He lives near Boston with his wife and three children.
Lauren Gaydos
Director
Glen Echo Group
Lauren Gaydos is a director at the Glen Echo Group, where she works with clients in the firm's broadband practice. Prior to joining Glen Echo, Lauren worked for NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association, where she oversaw media and public relations strategies for the association. She also spent several years on Capitol Hill, most recently as communications director for Rep. Brett Guthrie, a senior member of the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce. A Chicago-area native, Lauren moved to D.C. for her undergraduate degree at the Catholic University of America, and she earned her master's degree in public relations and corporate communications from Georgetown University.
Greg Guice
Director of Government Affairs
Public Knowledge
Greg is the Director of Public Knowledge's Government Affairs team, where he focuses on outreach on the full complement of Public Knowledge’s issues and policy recommendations to promote technological innovation. Greg has more than 20 years of experience working on legislative and regulatory issues affecting today’s technology market. Prior to joining Public Knowledge, Greg was Senior Counsel at McGuireWoods and Akin Gump and served 14 years with the Federal Communications Commission as Director of Legislative Affairs and Counsel on a range of issues including broadband deployment and affordability, spectrum access, competition, net neutrality, privacy, and public safety. Greg is a licensed attorney in Virginia and D.C. Greg received his J.D. from the George Mason University School of Law and his B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Trent Harkrader
Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau
Federal Communications Commission
Trent Harkrader serves as Chief of the Wireline Competition Bureau, which works to ensure that all Americans have access to robust, affordable broadband and voice services, through universal service programs, a competition policy framework that protects consumers and fosters competition, and policymaking informed by comprehensive data about communications services, including broadband. Prior to this position, Trent advised then-Acting Chairwoman on implementation of the recent Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, including its initiatives on broadband adoption and telehealth, while also continuing to serve as Deputy Bureau Chief in the Wireline Competition Bureau. Trent has been responsible for numerous Commission broadband policy initiatives since 2011. He has led major reforms of all four of the Commission’s universal service programs, spearheaded the agency’s work on the national security supply chain proceeding and, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ran the Commission-wide initiative to help fund health care providers offering essential telehealth services to patients. Before joining the Bureau, Trent was an attorney advisor and division manager in the Enforcement Bureau. He received his J.D. from Southern Methodist University and his B.A. from Duke University.
Scott Blake Harris
Senior Spectrum Advisor
NTIA
Scott Blake Harris is the Senior Spectrum Advisor at NTIA and represents the agency in its work to expand the use of spectrum to support federal agency missions and to meet the ever-growing needs of consumers and the commercial sector. Scott has practiced law in Washington D.C. for forty-six years, and has extensive communications, technology, energy, litigation, and national security law experience. He previously served in government as the General Counsel of the Department of Energy, as the first Chief of the International Bureau at the Federal Communications Commission, and as Chief Counsel for Export Administration at the Department of Commerce. While at DOE also served as Co-Chair of the Broadband Subcommittee of the White House National Science and Technology Council. In the private sector, Scott co-founded the law firm of Harris, Wiltshire & Grannis LLP (now HWG) and served as its first Managing Partner and its first Chairman. He recently left the firm to join NTIA. Scott has also served as General Counsel of Neustar, Inc. and as Co-Managing Partner of Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP. Earlier in his career, he was a partner at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, where he was Chair of the communications practice, and at Williams & Connolly, where began his career in private practice as a litigator. He served as a law clerk to the Hon. Gerhard A. Gesell upon graduation from law school.
Michael Kende
Senior Advisor
Analysys Mason
Michael Kende is a professional economist with over 25 years’ experience with TMT and internet-related issues. He started his career at the FCC as a Senior Economist and Director of Internet Policy Analysis, before heading Analysys Mason’s US presence as a Partner. He became the first Chief Economist of the Internet Society in 2013, and has been a Senior Advisor to Analysys Mason for the last five years. He has worked on policy and regulatory issues with regulators, operators, international organizations and trade groups across six continents, and is the author of the book “The Flip Side of Free; Understanding the Economics of the Internet.”
Angie Kronenberg
President
INCOMPAS
As President of the association, Angie is responsible for managing the INCOMPAS policy team and its work before federal, state, and local governments, and she leads the association’s efforts on membership and business development. She joined the association in 2013 as its Chief Advocate & General Counsel and was promoted to President in 2023. Angie has successfully influenced and shaped some of the most complex, high-profile matters in the communications space, and she is an expert on technology and telecommunications policy, including broadband deployment, access, and availability, universal service, net neutrality, merger reviews, competition policy, and administrative law. She also has been integral to the association’s modernization and growth. FierceTelecom named Angie a "Rising Star in Wireline" in 2014 and one of the Top Women in Wireline in 2015 for her advocacy work on behalf of INCOMPAS and its members. Angie is a member of the Federal Communications Bar Association and has been involved in its leadership as a former Executive Committee and Nominations Committee member. Before joining INCOMPAS, Angie was legal advisor to FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, where she was primarily responsible for the Commissioner’s wireline and broadband agenda, including the Commissioner’s work as chair of three federal-state joint boards. Prior to that, Angie was a special counsel in the Spectrum and Competition Policy Division of the FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. She also practiced telecommunications and media law in the Washington, D.C. office of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP for more than a decade. Angie earned a Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from the Columbus School of Law at The Catholic University of America, where she also earned a certification from The Institute for Communications Law Studies, and she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, from Baylor University and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.
Rep. Bob Latta
R-Ohio
Chairman, Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
Since 2007, Congressman Bob Latta has served the people of Ohio’s Fifth Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. Congressman Latta is a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee where he plays an intricate role in crafting the nation’s energy, telecommunications, environment, health care, and interstate commerce policy. Congressman Latta is Republican Leader of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology where he advocates for policies that help consumers, grow our economy, spur innovation, and close the digital divide. He is also a member of the Subcommittee on Energy and the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, which he chaired in the 115th Congress. Notably, the Congressman was selected by leadership to serve as a member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress where he works with an even number of Republicans and Democrats to make Congress work better for the American people. Along with his committee positions, Congressman Latta is a Deputy Whip and Co-Chairs the Rural Broadband Caucus and the Congressional Propane Caucus. Throughout his tenure, Congressman Latta has advocated for the interests of the people of Northwest and West Central Ohio through policies that further economic prosperity and job creation. His top priorities on behalf of his constituents include improving access to broadband capabilities in rural areas, reducing government spending, maintaining a strong national defense, combating the nation’s substance abuse crisis, fighting for energy independence, and implementing commonsense government reforms. In previous Congresses, Congressman Latta served on the House Budget Committee, the House Agriculture Committee, and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
Sen. Ben Ray Lujan
D-New Mexico
Ben Ray Lujan has represented New Mexico in the U.S. Senate since January 2021. He previously served as U.S. Representative for New Mexico's Third Congressional District and House Assistant Speaker in the 116th Congress. Sen. Lujan sits on the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP); the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; the Committee on Indian Affairs; and the Committee on the Budget. Since being elected to Congress in 2008, Senator Lujan has championed efforts to create good-paying jobs in New Mexico, expand quality health care and protect patients with pre-existing conditions, preserve our natural resources and sacred sites, build a clean energy economy, and uplift the middle-class. Sen. Lujan has been a champion for New Mexico working families. He's fought to raise the minimum wage, close the gender pay gap, and bridge the digital divide for rural communities. He has been an unwavering supporter of women's rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and continues to advance causes important to New Mexico families. Before his election to Congress, Senator Lujan served as the Chairman of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission. As a Commissioner, he worked with his colleagues to develop a renewable portfolio standard to increase clean energy production by New Mexico utilities. He also advocated for first responders, working to overhaul the New Mexico Fire Fund so that all distributions from the fund would go to improving fire services in New Mexico.
Rep. Doris Matsui
D-CA
Congresswoman Doris Matsui has represented the city of Sacramento and its surrounding areas since 2005. As a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, she serves on the Health and Energy subcommittees and is the Vice Chair on the Communications and Technology subcommittee. Congresswoman Matsui is a leader on technology and internet policy. She is a Co-Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Spectrum Caucus, having authored laws that facilitated record-breaking spectrum auctions. She continues to focus on promoting the deployment of next-generation wireless technologies, such as 5G. She is also a leading proponent of net neutrality and ensuring access to the free and open Internet, previously writing legislation that would prohibit so-called Internet fast lanes from harming consumers, small businesses and innovators. As the co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional High Tech Caucus, she advocates for policies to expand the innovative use of technology across every sector of the economy. She also is an ardent supporter of advancing STEM education, especially for women and girls. Before coming to Congress, Doris Matsui served as Chairwoman on the Board for the KVIE public television station in Sacramento, and in leadership capacities for the Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento Children's Home, and the Sacramento Symphony Orchestra. After growing up on a farm in California’s Central Valley, Congresswoman Matsui graduated from the University of California at Berkeley. She served as one of eight members of President Clinton’s transition board and later served as Deputy Assistant to the President in the White House Office of Public Liaison. Congresswoman Matsui succeeded her late husband Robert Matsui (who served in Congress from 1979-2005) in a special election in March 2005.
Kelly McGriff
Vice President and Deputy General Counsel
Uniti Group
Kelly McGriff is vice president and deputy general counsel of the Uniti Group. In that capacity, he leads the local regulatory effort across all Uniti entities. Kelly is also head of the Litigation Department for the Uniti Group. Kelly previously served as general counsel of Southern Light from 2005 until its acquisition by Uniti Group in 2017. Kelly has spent more than 15 years working in virtually every aspect of communications law and related fields, including regulatory, transactional, litigation, legislative and land use in both the private and public sectors, including Internet services and technologies; conventional and emerging wireless services; telecommunications equipment development; and other high-technology applications. In the spring of 2017, Kelly was appointed to the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee at the Federal Communications Commission by Chairman Ajit Pai, and presently serves as chairman of the Committee’s State Model Code Working Group.
Andrew Mincheff
Government Relations Director
INCOMPAS
Andrew Mincheff joined INCOMPAS in 2020 as government relations director to help represent members before state and local bodies, including legislatures, public utility commissions and municipalities on technology and communications issues. Prior to joining INCOMPAS, Andrew worked as a government affairs associate at G2G Consulting in Washington, D.C., assisting with the firm’s federal lobbying efforts, preparing clients for meetings on Capitol Hill and at federal agencies, and submitting appropriations requests to Congress. He had previously worked on Capitol Hill for U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) as a legislative correspondent, handling writing and research on policy issues including education, defense, homeland security and healthcare. Following his years as a legislative staffer on the Hill, Andrew worked as a management consultant in Deloitte’s federal practice. His main responsibilities focused on supporting case workers in the Commonwealth of Kentucky on systems integration for their health benefits exchange program, coordinating project plans for allocating grants services within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and leading communications outreach for the New Products and Innovation group at the U.S Postal Service. Andrew graduated with his International Masters of Business Administration (IMBA) from the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Emory University.
Caroline Boothe Olsen
Director, Communications and Legislative Affairs
INCOMPAS
Caroline Boothe Olsen joined INCOMPAS in 2023 as Director of Communications and Legislative Affairs and is responsible for overall association and policy communications strategy, and leads its legislative and lobbying efforts to support the INCOMPAS policy agenda. Caroline comes from the Hill where she has forged tremendous relationships specifically in the House over the last decade. She served as Congressman Pete Sessions Communications Director in his personal office and for the powerful House Rules Committee where he was Chairman. She then went to work for Congresswoman Liz Cheney in her Republican leadership office as the Member Services Director and continued working for the Congresswoman on her re-election campaign and leadership PAC. She has worked in communications, press, policy as well as leadership and management roles in the various offices.
Michael O’Rielly
Former FCC Commissioner
President, MPORielly Consulting, LLC
Michael O’Rielly served as a Commissioner at the Federal Communications Commission from 2013 through 2020. He is currently President at MPORielly Consulting Inc., a Visiting Fellow at the Hudson Institute, and a Senior Fellow at the Media Institute. Before joining the FCC, Mr. O’Rielly held a variety of leading staff positions during 20 years on Capitol Hill in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, ending as Policy Advisor in the Office of the Senate Republican Whip.
Chip Pickering
CEO
INCOMPAS
Chip Pickering has been CEO of INCOMPAS since January 2014. During that time, INCOMPAS has achieved significant growth with leading internet, backbone, business broadband, wireless, and international companies. Under his leadership, INCOMPAS has led numerous public policy campaigns promoting competition through an open internet and in the business broadband market. Pickering was a six-term Congressman representing Mississippi’s Third District. During his time in the House, he served on the Energy & Commerce Committee, where he was vice chairman from 2002 to 2006 and a member of the Telecommunications Subcommittee. He also was co-chairman and founder of the Congressional Wireless Caucus and an assistant minority whip of the House. Previously, Chip worked for Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) and served as a staff member on the Senate Commerce Committee, where he helped shape the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Because of his role in drafting the 1996 Act, he became well known as a Congressional leader on telecommunications issues. While in Congress, Chip served as chair of the subcommittee overseeing the transition to the commercial internet, the establishment of domain names, registries, and internet governance. He also successfully led a bipartisan legislative effort to codify net neutrality principles through the House in 2006. Prior to joining INCOMPAS, Chip was a partner with Capitol Resources LLC, a public affairs and government relations firm, where he represented an array of telecom clients, including wireless, cable and competitive broadband providers, as well as non-profits and companies specializing in education, energy, technology and defense.
Alejandro Roark
Chief, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau
Federal Communications Commission
Alejandro Roark is Chief of the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB) which develops and implements the commission’s consumer policies, including disability access. CGB serves as the public face of the commission through outreach and education, is responsible for responding to consumer inquiries and complaints, and maintains collaborative partnerships with state, local and Tribal governments. Prior to joining the FCC, Alejandro led a CEO roundtable of national Latino civil rights organizations working in partnership to promote access, adoption, and the full utilization of technology and telecommunications resources by the Latino community across the United States.
Mike Romano
Executive Vice President
NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association
Mike Romano is the Executive Vice President of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, overseeing NTCA’s public policy, government affairs, and business development initiatives, the educational and community-focused mission of the Foundation for Rural Service, and several areas of association operations including member engagement, information technology, and human resources. Before joining NTCA, Mike was of counsel with Bingham McCutchen, LLP, served as the founding vice president and general counsel of GTT Communications, and held a variety of positions with America Online and Level 3 Communications. Mike has a Bachelor of Arts degree in American history from Middlebury College and a Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University Law Center, and is also an NSP-certified ski patroller in his spare time.
Jill Sandford
Chief Legal Officer
FirstLight Fiber
Jill Sandford joined FirstLight Fiber in June of 2015 and currently serves as its Chief Legal Officer. She manages all aspects of legal, regulatory, compliance, safety and human resources. Jill has more than 25 years’ experience in the telecommunications sector. From 1995-2001, she served as a Section Chief in the New York State Attorney General’s Office Bureau of Telecommunications and Energy. From 2001-2014, Jill held legal roles at Metromedia Fiber Network, AboveNet and Zayo, each with increasing and broad responsibilities. Jill earned a Bachelor of Science from Cornell University and a Juris Doctor from Albany Law School.
Christopher L. Shipley
Executive Director of Public Policy
INCOMPAS
Chris was named Executive Director of Public Policy in 2023, and will lead the association’s efforts to expand its advocacy on behalf of members. He joined INCOMPAS in 2015, serving as attorney and policy advisor responsible for representing INCOMPAS on wireless, universal service, disabilities access, media, and competition issues. Before joining INCOMPAS, Chris was an associate with LMI Advisors, advising clients in the satellite and wireless industries on regulatory issues related to experimental licensing and international market access. Earlier in his career, Chris completed a legal internship with Harris Corporation, a telecommunications equipment manufacturer, and served as the legal fellow for Rep. Anna Eshoo, the Ranking Member of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. Chris graduated from the Columbus School of Law at The Catholic University of America with a Juris Doctor in 2013 and also earned a certification from the Institute for Communications Law Studies. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Notre Dame in 2000, Chris served for three administrations as a policy analyst and grant administrator at the Arizona Governor’s Office.
Nathan Simington
Commissioner
Federal Communications Commission
Nathan Simington was nominated to serve as a Commissioner of the FCC by President Donald J. Trump. He was confirmed by the United States Senate in 2020. Commissioner Simington brings both private and public-sector experience to the Commission. Previously, he served as Senior Advisor at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA.) In this role, he worked on many aspects of telecommunications policy, including spectrum allocation and planning, broadband access, and the U.S. Government’s role in the Internet. Prior to joining the Commission, he was senior counsel to Brightstar Corp., an international mobile device services company. In this capacity, he led and negotiated telecommunications equipment and services transactions with leading providers in over twenty countries. Prior to joining Brightstar, he worked as an attorney in private practice. Commissioner Simington is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. He also holds degrees from the University of Rochester and Lawrence University. Commissioner Simington grew up in Saskatchewan, Canada. He became a United States citizen and now lives in McLean, Va., with his wife and three children.
Geoffrey Starks
Commissioner
Federal Communications Commission
Commissioner Geoffrey Starks believes that communications technology has the potential to be one of the most powerful forces on Earth for promoting equality and opportunity. To unlock that potential, however, all Americans must have access. From combatting internet inequality to advocating for diversity in employment, entrepreneurship, and media ownership, Commissioner Starks fights for policies designed to ensure that modern communications technology empowers every American. Because high-quality broadband is essential to participating in our economy and society, Commissioner Starks has been a champion for the millions of Americans who lack access to or cannot afford a home internet connection. As a native Kansan, he understands the communications needs of rural America. He has consistently advocated for broadband deployment that helps rural communities tap into economic and educational opportunities that may not be close to home, which both encourages young people to stay and attracts new residents and employers. Bringing a wealth of enforcement experience to the FCC, Commissioner Starks advocates for consumer protection and accountability, particularly in managing the Universal Service Fund. Before he was appointed Commissioner, Starks helped lead the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau, handling a wide variety of complex investigations. At the Department of Justice, he served as a senior advisor to the Deputy Attorney General on a variety of domestic and international law enforcement matters and received the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service—the highest honor award a DOJ employee can receive. Commissioner Starks is also a leader on national security policy, working to eliminate untrustworthy equipment from America’s communications networks. His Find It, Fix It, Fund It initiative brought national attention to the urgent need to support small and rural companies as they work to make their networks more secure. With regard to personal data security, while Commissioner Starks fully supports the promise of advanced wireless service and other cutting-edge technologies—and works to ensure that all communities share in the benefits of these advancements—he also fully appreciates the potentially intrusive powers of some communications technologies and is vigilant to ensure against any uses of those powers that would promote illegal discrimination or compromise personal privacy. Before he entered federal public service, Commissioner Starks practiced law at Williams & Connolly, clerked on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit, served as a legislative staffer in the Illinois State Senate, and worked as a financial analyst.
Lindsay Stern
Attorney and Policy Advisor
INCOMPAS
Lindsay Stern is an attorney and policy advisor at INCOMPAS. Prior to joining INCOMPAS, Lindsay was a policy fellow at Public Knowledge, where she focused on issues of broadband deployment, affordability and net neutrality, and advocated for consumers at the FCC, FTC and Congress. During law school, Lindsay was a legal intern at the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee in the office of Sen. Richard Durbin, as well as at the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project and Street Law, Inc. Lindsay graduated with Honors from The George Washington University Law School, where she was a member and published author of the Federal Circuit Bar Journal. Lindsay graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Franklin & Marshall College, where she received her B.A. in Government. She also spent a semester studying at the University of Edinburgh. Lindsay is a member of the New York State Bar.
Joel Taubenblatt
Acting Bureau Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau
Federal Communications Commission
Joel Taubenblatt serves as the Acting Bureau Chief of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission. Taubenblatt has held several leadership positions in the Bureau, including Deputy Bureau Chief, Chief of the Competition and Infrastructure Policy Division, and Chief of the Broadband Division. He graduated from Duke University School of Law and from the University of Pennsylvania, with undergraduate degrees in Economics from the Wharton School and in English from the College of Arts and Sciences.
Rep. Glenn Thompson
R-Pennsylvania
Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture
Rep. Glenn Thompson is the descendant of a long line of dairy farmers and lifelong resident of Howard Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania. Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2008, Thompson represents Pennsylvania’s Fifteenth District. As a proud and active Member of the House Committee on Agriculture for more than a decade, Thompson formerly served as Ranking Member of the full committee during the 117th Congress and as Vice Chairman during the 116th Congress. He’s also served as Chairman of the Subcommittees on Conservation and Forestry and Nutrition, and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management. Thompson is also a senior member of the House Education and Labor Committee. Prior to being elected to Pennsylvania’s Fifteenth District, Thompson spent 28 years as a therapist, rehabilitation services manager, and a licensed nursing home administrator. Thompson is a proud graduate of Penn State and Temple University, where he earned a B.S. and a Master of Education, respectively.
Joseph Wender
Capital Projects Fund Director
U.S. Treasury Department
Joseph Wender currently serves as Director of the Capital Projects Fund, overseeing the $10 billion program at the U.S. Department of the Treasury and helping to ensure that all communities have access to high-quality modern infrastructure, including broadband, needed to access critical services. He previously served for nearly 13 years on Capitol Hill, most recently as Senator Ed Markey’s Senior Policy Advisor, where he led a team covering a wide range of issues including telecommunications and infrastructure. Wender also worked as then-Representative Markey’s Legislative Director. Prior to working for Markey, Wender served as Counsel for the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. He received his BA from Wesleyan University and graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School.