Closing the digital divide one anchor institution at a time.
SHLB Coalition Welcomes New Directors to Board January 02, 2020
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Alicja Johnson
Communications Manager
ajohnson@shlb.org
(202) 263-4626
Washington, D.C. (January 2, 2020) - Today the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition announced three additions to its board of directors for 2020:
- Scott Boone, director of information technology, Kent County Government.
- Doug Casey, executive director, Connecticut Commission for Educational Technology (CET).
- Larry Irving, president and CEO, Irving Group.
The current SHLB board of directors appointed Casey and Irving, while Boone was elected by SHLB members. The incoming directors begin three-year terms effective January 1, 2020. The board also appointed Elwood Downing to serve an additional three-year term. Downing is principal at ELAE Enterprises and has been on the SHLB Coalition board of directors since 2017.
“Boone, Casey, and Irving have all demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancing connectivity for anchor institutions and their communities,” said John Windhausen Jr., executive director of the SHLB Coalition. “Each has a rich legacy of working to close the digital divide – whether on a local, state, or national level. I look forward to working with all three to continue strengthening SHLB’s pursuit of broadband for all.”
Boone has 20 years of public and private sector experience in the fields of telecommunications and information systems and has served on the board of directors of the Maryland Broadband Cooperative. Most recently, Boone has focused on digital inclusion by managing the Kent County Broadband Expansion Program, which connects 70 anchor sites to Kent County’s 110-mile fiber network. Boone managed the rollout of Kent County’s free public Wi-Fi initiative, which consists of gigabit-connected homework hotspot locations throughout the County. Currently, Boone works with the Maryland Office of Rural Broadband to expand network offerings by participating in that Office’s first round of pilot projects.
Casey designs and manages strategic plans that ensure the successful integration of technology in Connecticut schools, libraries, universities, and towns. The CET oversees statewide programs such as its flagship research and education broadband network, the CEN. Casey’s prior experience includes managing technology and security for a network of magnet schools that are helping to close the achievement gap between urban and suburban learners. He holds a B.A. from the College of William & Mary, an M.A. from Georgetown University, and an M.S. from George Washington University.
As the president and CEO of the Irving Group, Irving provides strategic advice and assistance to international telecommunications and information technology companies, investors, philanthropies and nonprofit organizations. Additionally, Irving currently holds a position on the board of directors for ENA, a broadband and technology solution provider for community anchor institutions. From September 2009 to July 2011, Irving served as vice president for global government affairs for the Hewlett-Packard Company, the world’s largest technology company. Prior to founding the Irving Group in 1999, Irving served for almost seven years as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), where he was a principal adviser to the president, vice president and secretary of commerce on domestic and international telecommunications and information technology issues. Irving was one of the principal architects and advocates of the Clinton Administration's telecommunications and internet policies, and was a point person in the Clinton Administration's successful efforts to reform the United States telecommunications law, resulting in passage of the most sweeping change in America’s telecom policy framework in 60 years. Irving is widely credited with coining the term “digital divide,” and sparking global interest in the issue. In large part due to his work to promote policies and develop programs to ensure access to advanced telecommunications and information technologies, Irving was named one of the fifty most influential persons in the 'Year of the Internet' by Newsweek Magazine. In 2019, he was named to the Internet Hall of Fame.
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About SHLB:
The SHLB Coalition is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) advocacy organization that supports open, affordable, high-quality broadband connections for anchor institutions and their surrounding communities. The SHLB Coalition is based in Washington, D.C. and has a diverse membership of commercial and non-commercial organizations from across the United States. To learn more, visit www.shlb.org.