Biographies of Panelists: The Mobile Internet: Challenges Facing the Wireless Web Panel
April 5, 2001 U.S. Capitol HC-5
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Panelist Bios
Gerry Waldron
Gerry Waldron is a partner at Covington & Burling who practices in communications law, with particular emphasis in the wireless, broadcast, common carrier, international, cable, and satellite areas. He has extensive experience on Capitol Hill, where he worked for Rep. Edward J. Markey, 1982-85; the House Subcommittee on Energy, 1985-87; the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications, 1987; and was Senior Counsel on the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications, 1991-1995. In addition, from 1990-1991, he clerked for Judge Dickson Phillips, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
Tom Sugrue
Tom Sugrue is Chief of the Federal Communications Commission's Wireless Bureau. The Wireless Bureau handles all FCC domestic wireless telecommunications programs and policies including the licensing and regulatory functions. Previous to his work at the FCC, he was the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Deputy Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) where he advised the Assistant Secretary, the Secretary of Commerce, and the White House on communications and information issues. Prior to joining NTIA, Mr. Sugrue worked at the FCC for six years as Chief of the Policy Division in the Common Carrier Bureau and Special Counsel for Competitive Policies.
Joe Gattuso
Joe Gattuso is serving as the Acting Director of Congressional Affairs for the NTIA. He is a specialist in wireless radio, spectrum issues, 3G, and is familiar with a broad range of telecommunications policy issues. In his current post, Mr. Gattuso serves as NTIA's liaison with Congress.
Rich Barth
Rich Barth is the Vice President and Director of the Telecommunications Strategy and Regulation in Motorola's Corporate Government Relations Office. His responsibilities primarily involve maintain working relations with the Us Government Executive Branch. He manages a team that works closely with government agencies, especially the FCC, which deal with spectrum and telecommunications regulatory issues. Prior to his current position, Barth handled international trade and technology policy issues for Motorola. Before that, he was on the National Security Council staff in the US Executive Office of the President.
Steven Berry
Steven K. Berry is Senior VP, Government Affairs for CTIA. Berry was previously partner in the law firm of Holland and Knight, and has served on both House & Senate Committees. He also served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary and Assistant Secretary of Legislative Affairs at the Department of State.
Cheryl Crate
Cheryl Crate, Vice President for Pegasus Communications, is a 14-year Capitol Hill veteran and expert on 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. Pegasus Communications has one central mission: to bring advanced digital services to consumers in rural and underserved areas of the United States and in the future, the world. Pegasus currently provides DBS to almost 4 million TV viewers in rural areas of 42 states and is the only major digital services provider focused exclusively on serving America's rural communities.
Leslie Harris
Leslie Harris, President, Leslie Harris & Associates representing WEB NOW, which stands for Wireless Education Broadband Now. Their group filed comments under the heading of "Education Community of the United States." Dow Lohnes drafted their comments and filed them.
Their comments describe themselves as "virtually the entirety of America's education community." I have attached those comments. Leslie Harris has her own firm . WEB NOW is a membership based campaign dedicated to preserving and developing the ITFS spectrum in order to WEB NOW further education. WEB NOW is a joint campaign sponsored by the ITFS Spectrum Development Alliance and National ITFS Association.