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.
September Meeting Summary
The meeting highlighted final preparations for AnchorNets 2026, including registration, volunteer opportunities, and social media promotion. Guest speaker Richard Platts, CTO of the Allegheny Intermediate Unit, emphasized the importance of distinguishing screen time from instructional technology, preserving local and state decision-making, and continuing E-Rate investments in school connectivity and cybersecurity. Coalition advocacy updates focused on Rural Health Care and USAC comments due September 29, E-Rate comments due October 13, concerns about secondary services and an Eligible Services List, and upcoming policy group calls.
Full meeting notes for this and prior meetings are only available to SHLB members, and can be accessed here.
- Jon Bernstein, Chair of EdLiNC Coalition
- Andy Schwartzman, Senior Counsel at the Benton Institute
- Kathryn De Wit, Project Director of Broadband Access for The Pew Charitable Trusts
- 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
