The Role of States and Cities
in Regulating the Internet
Overview | Panelist Biographies | Video/Audio
Panelists
Deborah Tate,
Tennessee Regulatory Authority
Deborah Taylor Tate was appointed to serve a six-year term as a Director of the Tennessee Regulatory Authority on February 1, 2002 by Governor Don Sundquist, and confirmed by the Tennessee General Assembly prior to the term commencing on July 1, 2002. She served a one-year term as Chairman of the TRA from July 1, 2003-2004. Tate has a long and distinguished public service career, having recently served as Director of the State and Local Policy Center at Vanderbilt University. Full Bio
Rick Cimerman,
National Cable & Telecommunications Association
Rick is the Senior Director of State Telecommunications Policy. He joined NCTA as a Director in January 1995. His primary responsibility is to aid State Cable Associations and cable companies in working with Public Utility Commissions to facilitate local telecommunications competition. Full Bio
Cheryl Leanza,
National League of Cities
Cheryl A. Leanza has just been appointed Principal Legislative Counsel for telecommunications at the National League of Cities. She has just finished six and one-half years as Deputy Director of Media Access Project. Ms. Leanza has been a leader in public interest advocacy, fighting for diversity in ownership, and other policies furthering First Amendment principles. She has taken leadership roles in the area of media ownership, low power radio and cable Internet open access; acts as lead counsel before the Federal Communications Commission and in the U.S. Appellate courts, and has been widely quoted in the trade and mainstream press on these issues. Full Bio
Ed Merlis,
U.S. Telecom Association
Ed Merlis joined USTA in September 2003 after thirteen years at the Air Transport Association, the principal trade association of the major U.S. airlines. During his years at ATA he served in a variety of positions; most recently as Senior Vice President, Legislative and International Affairs. Full Bio
Roger Cochetti, CompTIA
(moderator)
Roger Cochetti is Group Director of U.S. Public Policy for CompTIA. He is responsible for guiding the Association's US federal and state public policy in the interests of CompTIA's members. Previously, he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Policy Officer of VeriSign, acting as the company's primary liaison with governments at all levels. Earlier, Mr. Cochetti had directed global Internet and e-commerce-related policy/regulatory activities for IBM Corporation and had held a variety of executive positions with COMSAT Corporation and with the US International Development Cooperation Agency (IDCA). Full Bio