Broadband I: Technology and Applications
May 24, 2001
View the Video from the ICAC panel event on May 24, 2001 - Broadband I: Technology and Applications [RealPlayer required]
BIOS
Cheryl Crate, Vice President of Business Affairs and Policy for Pegasus Communications, is a 14-year Capitol Hill veteran and expert on telecommunications and satellite communications issues. Before joining Pegasus in January of 2000, Cheryl spent three years as director of government affairs with the Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association (SBCA), the national trade organization representing all segments of the home satellite industry. Prior to that, she worked for various members of Congress, primarily on telecommunications issues.
Dr. William Check is Vice President, Science and Technology of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA). Heading NCTA's technology efforts, he provides leadership and coordination of the industry's interests in techno-policy, standards and guidelines. He is also responsible for the analysis and evaluation of the technical issues being considered by public policymakers, and supports the congressional and regulatory efforts that have technical components or implications.
Check is been in the field of telecommunications for over 20 years. Prior to NCTA, he was involved in a number of different organizations, including the satellite and broadcasting industries and has led the development of packet data, video and audio communications systems.
In his activities with new product development, he has been responsible for products from inception through design, development, integration, deployment and maintenance. These roles have included packet data and video communications networks using satellite-based Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) networks, and the development of audio transmissions systems for broadcast radio networks via satellite. Check is formerly Editor of Space Systems, IEEE Transactions on Aerospace and Electronic Systems.
Link Hoewing is Assistant Vice President, Internet and Technology Issues, for Verizon, the country's largest telecommunications provider, formed through the merger of Bell Atlantic and GTE. He is responsible for identifying and assessing emerging issues, developing corporate positions on Internet and technology industry issues, and developing relationships with high technology industry members, interactive technology associations, and research institutes and think tanks. He speaks frequently on high technology issues and has written articles on using the Internet in the public policy process.
Mr. Hoewing began his career in 1977 in the U.S. Senate as a legislative aide. He worked for almost eight years on Capitol Hill, serving as a legislative aide and eventually deputy staff director on the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee. His responsibilities included managing committee business, supervising the scheduling and management of committee hearings and legislative activities and overseeing committee policy activities from a staff perspective in the areas of defense, government reorganization, general government management policies, and government services such as the Postal Service.
In 1985, Mr. Hoewing left Capitol Hill to take a position in Bell Atlantic, one of the seven Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs). He helped develop and manage the company's issues management and strategic issues planning processes. He progressed to increasingly significant positions in the company through 1997, including responsibilities for government relations and public affairs, the launch of Telecom New Zealand as a public company and later, corporate relations and governmental relations programs back in the U.S.
Mr. Hoewing earned a liberal arts degree at Carthage College in Wisconsin and successfully completed a masters program in Public Administration at the American University in Washington, D.C.
Robert S. Koppel As Vice President, Wireless Regulatory Affairs, Bob Koppel is responsible for advising WorldCom on regulatory and business issues regarding fixed and mobile wireless services. He oversees all regulatory issues pertaining to WorldCom's use of MMDS/ITFS spectrum to provide fixed wireless broadband services. Mr. Koppel has lead WorldCom's advocacy efforts in the U.S. Government's review of spectrum for advanced wireless services. Mr. Koppel also oversees all regulatory issues regarding WorldCom's mobile resale business. WorldCom is the largest mobile services reseller in the U.S., with over 2 million customers. Mr. Koppel is also responsible for monitoring a wide range of CMRS (commercial mobile radio service) issues, including spectrum allocation, spectrum auctions, spectrum caps, and the development of new technologies, including 3G.
Before assuming his current position, Mr. Koppel served as WorldCom's Vice President, International Regulatory Affairs from 1994-1999, where he was responsible for advising WorldCom on regulatory and business issues with respect to the provision of international voice and data services, and overseas operations. Prior to that, Mr. Koppel served as Vice President, Legal and Regulatory Affairs, with IDB Communications Group, which was acquired by WorldCom in 1994.
Previously, Mr. Koppel practiced telecommunications law for seven years with Arent, Fox, Kintner, Plotkin & Kahn in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Koppel received a B.A. with distinction in all subjects and cum laude in Government from Cornell University in 1979 and J.D. cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1982.
WorldCom (NASDAQ: WCOM) is a preeminent global communications company for the digital generation, generation d, operating in more than 65 countries with 2000 revenues of approximately $40 billion. WorldCom provides the innovative technologies and services that are the foundation for business in the 21st century. For more information, go to http://www.worldcom.com.
Paul Schomburg is a manager of Government & Public Affairs for Panasonic (Matsushita Electric Corp. of America) focusing on technology policy issues. His background includes 13 years with Panasonic, including 6 years as Assistant Planning Manager for Panasonic Communications & Systems Company in the area of office automation, computing, and wireless products. Currently Paul works in the Washington office for Panasonic, were he advises business units in technology policy for the areas of telecommunications, digital television, intellectual property, and federal procurement.
Paul has a BA from Northwestern University, and an MBA from the University of Michigan.
Rockey Storie is Vice President of Origination for Enron Broadband Services. He is a graduate from Oklahoma State University with a B.S. Degree in Petroleum Engineering with a minor in mathematics. He has worked for Enron for twenty years where he has worked with Engineering, Power and Asset Development, Contracts, Regulatory, Gas Marketing and Trading, and Broadband Services. He is currently a Vice President with the Enron Broadband Distribution group and operates out of Houston, Texas.
Michael Timmeny is Washington Representative for Cisco Systems, the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet.
Mr. Timmeny opened Cisco's Washington office in February 1998. Prior to that he was Vice President for Domestic Policy at the American Electronics Association.
He served on Capitol Hill for 21 years in numerous capacities, including Chief of Staff to three lawmakers: Senator Patty Murray of Washington, Representative Anna Eshoo of California and then Representative (now Senator) Charles E. Schumer of New York.
Mr. Timmeny is a graduate of Harpur College, the State University of New York at Binghamton. He holds a BA in history and political science.