Broadband expansion won't happen without meaningful collaboration between government agencies and private sector entities, the FCC believes, and so Chairman Julius Genachowski on Wednesday tapped Senior Counselor Josh Gottheimer to head up a newly announced public-private broadband initiative.
Jordan Usdan, an FCC attorney, will take on the role of deputy director of the initiative, which intends to build on previously established initiatives that encouraged public and private sector groups, including nonprofits, to work together to improve broadband adoption rates among households and small businesses.
"For nearly two years, Josh Gottheimer has helped focus private and public sector actors on delivering innovative solutions to connect every American with high-speed Internet, drive job creation, and empower consumers," Genachowski said in a prepared statement. "This entrepreneurial approach has delivered major advances in areas such as technology and education, broadband adoption, cybersecurity, and public safety."
Both Gottheimer and Usdan have led efforts within the FCC's broadband arena to improve broadband availability to low-income families--including the "Connect to Compete" program--and small business, as well as increase awareness of cybersecurity issues.
For more:
- see the news release
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