Bi-Weekly Member Call

Every other Monday 2pm ET Join the Group

This bi-weekly call provides updates on federal and state broadband policy and regulatory
developments across the broadband landscape. It’s the best way to stay informed about all of
SHLB’s broadband policy work and advocacy efforts in support of anchor institutions, and
how such policies impact your organization.

February Meeting Summary

February 10, 2025: SHLB member Brian Allenby shared insights on Maine’s Working Internet ASAP Program, which leverages Starlink to connect the state’s most remote areas. The program has invested $250M, serving 86,000 locations, with 26,000 still to go. The Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA) built an enrollment portal, subsidizes equipment, and uses digital outreach to reach those without prior internet access.

The call also covered Howard Lutnick’s nomination for Secretary of Commerce and his stance on restricting BEAD funding to deployment, raising concerns about non-deployment uses like digital literacy. Kristen Corra on SHLB’s staff met with the staff for Sen. Warner to emphasize the value of non-deployment activities. Meanwhile, Olivia Trusty has been nominated to become the 5th FCC Commissioner, and Arielle Roth has been nominated to lead NTIA, with both confirmations pending approval by the Senate.

Full meeting notes for this and prior meetings are available to members here.

Past Spotlight Speakers

Roy Hoover, Consultant, Hoover Technology Consulting
Cass Hill, Digital Inclusion Coordinator, City of Madison (WI)
Jim Stritzinger, Director, South Carolina Broadband Office
Dr. Jimmy McElligott, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Executive Medical Director of the Center for Telehealth, Medical University of South Carolina’s Telehealth Alliance
Sonya Ebeling, Director, Medical University of South Carolina’s Telehealth Alliance
Kathy Schwarting, CEO, Palmetto Care Connections
Amina Fazlullah, Head of Tech Policy Advocacy, Common Sense
Andrea Levandowski, Adult Services Specialist, New Jersey State Library
Ji Soo Song, Director of Projects and Initiatives, SETDA
Evan Wolstencroft, Program Manager, Texas Rural Funders
Dr. John Graham, President and Cofounder, NC Telehealth Network Association (NCTNA)
Alex Wermer-Colan, Executive Director, Philly Community Wireless
Esther Jang, Director, Local Connectivity Lab
Alice Lawson, Wireless Affairs Advisor, City of Seattle
Chip Pickering, CEO, INCOMPAS
Adam Geisler, President and COO, Tribal Ready
Brittany-Rae Gregory, Communications Director, Next Century Cities
Annie Norman, Director, Delaware Division of Libraries
Stephanie Stenberg, Director, Community Anchor Program, and Therese Perlowski, Program Manager of the Community Anchor Program, Internet2
Eric Sasaki, Manager of Major Programs, Los Angeles County’s Internal Services Department
Erica Meyers, Senior Manager of Global Government Affairs, SpaceX
Dirk Gates, SVP of Customer Service, and Carl Guardino, VP of Government Affairs & Policy, Tarana Wireless
Robin Olds, Business Development Manager, Cisco’s Broadband Program Office
Dustin Loup, Director of Community Development, Ready.Net
Melissa Newman, SVP of Government Affairs, TIA
Phil Essington, Director of Broadband & Digital Inclusion, Hennepin County