1:00pm - 1:45pm

Blair Levin, Nonresident Senior Fellow, Brookings Metro

Meet the Speaker

Blair Levin is a nonresident senior fellow at Brookings Metro. Levin serves as a policy analyst with New Street Research, an equity research firm focused on telecommunications and technology.  Levin has also been involved in a number efforts to broaden broadband’s reach and effectiveness, including serving as the Executive Director of Gig.U: The Next Generation Network Innovation Project, an initiative of three dozen leading research university communities seeking to support educational and economic development by accelerating the deployment of next generation networks, leading the writing of a report for the World Bank and United Nations High Commission on Refugees on broadband for refugees, and most recently, working with the National Urban League to write the Lewis Latimer Plan for Digital Equity and Inclusion.

Previously, Levin worked with the Communications & Society Program with the Aspen Institute Communications and Society Program, following his departure in 2010 from the Federal Communications Commission where he oversaw the development of a National Broadband Plan. Levin rejoined the Commission in 2009, after eight years as a policy analyst at Legg Mason and Stifel Nicolaus. As Barron’s magazine noted, Levin “has always been on top of developing trends and policy shifts in media and telecommunications … and has proved visionary in getting out in front of many of today’s headline making events.”

Levin served as chief of staff to FCC Chairman Reed Hundt from December 1993 through October 1997. During that period Levin oversaw, among other matters, the implementation of the 1996 Telecommunications Reform Act, the first spectrum auctions, the development of digital television standards and the commission’s Internet initiative.

Prior to his position with the FCC, Levin was a partner in the North Carolina law firm of Parker, Poe, Adams and Bernstein, where he represented new communications ventures, as well as numerous local governments on public financing issues. Levin is a graduate of Yale College and Yale Law School.

2:00pm - 2:45pm

Mary Brown, Spectrum and Technology Policy Consultant, Salt Point Strategies

Meet the Speaker

Mary L. Brown is the Executive Director of WifiForward, an organization of entities seeking to promote and advance public policies that enable Wi-Fi technologies. Mary is a spectrum and technology policy expert with decades of experience in Wi-Fi, as well as other wireless technologies.  Her expertise includes a stint on the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s Commercial Spectrum Management Advisory Council, providing testimony at multiple Congressional hearings, and advocating on spectrum issues before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).  She has also worked on spectrum issues internationally, advocating before national administrations around the world.  

3:00pm - 3:45pm

Danny Vinik, Legal Advisor, Ed Markey's Office

Meet the Speaker

Danny Vinik is a policy advisor for Senator Edward J. Markey, where he leads the senator's technology and telecom portfolio and runs Senator Markey’s team on the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. Senator Markey is the author of the 1992 Cable Act, the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, and many other foundational tech and telecom law. Since joining the senator's office in 2022, Danny has been the lead staffer on key telecom issues, including broadband, the Universal Service Fund, and E-Rate.