WASHINGTON—The Commerce Department today released names of individuals on the White House-level spectrum advisory committee, a component of a 2003 Bush wireless initiative that has been awkwardly managed and failed to date to deliver tangible results.
“Our new spectrum advisory committee will help us in developing wise radio frequency policies that will promote new technologies, expand consumer choices, and enhance first responder capabilities,” said Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez. “I want to thank these individuals for volunteering their time and expertise to work on behalf of the President’s Spectrum Policy Initiative.”
The advisory committee will report to John Kneuer, acting head of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration who will appoint a chair at the first meeting. There was no mention when the first meeting would be held. The advisory committee’s charter ends in late October 2007, but can be renewed. Kneuer, for his part, has yet to be confirmed to permanent status as NTIA chief.
“The Advisory Committee represents a valuable tool for obtaining the expertise of a balanced cross-section of private sector policy experts as we move forward on a proactive agenda that will ensure America’s homeland security and its world leadership in cutting edge technologies,” said Kneuer. “Committee members will offer expertise on reforms that expedite the American public’s access to broadband services, public safety services, and long-range spectrum planning.”
One member missing from the committee is Gary Shapiro, president of the Consumer Electronics Association. CEA announced in September Shapiro was appointed to the Bush spectrum advisory committee. Shapiro is said to have withdrawn his appointment because of displeasure with detailed financial disclosure, ethical requirements and other restrictions placed on “special government employees,” a committee member classification erected by NTIA. CEA has refused to comment on Shapiro’s situation.
NTIA has declined to say whether the SGE designation, typically not embraced in Federal Communications Commission advisory committees, prompted defections by prospective participants qualified to serve on the Commerce spectrum panel.
The committee membership is as follows:
Dr. David Borth, corporate vice president and chief technical officer, Motorola Inc.; Schaumburg, Ill.
Martin Cooper, chairman and co-founder, ArrayComm, San Jose, Calif.;
Mark Crosby, president and chief executive officer, Enterprise Wireless Alliance, McLean, Va.;
James Goldstein, director of spectrum reconfiguration, Sprint Nextel Corp., Reston,Va.;
Alexander H. Good, vice chairman and chief executive officer, Mobile Satellite Ventures, Reston,Va.;
Robert M. Gurss, director of legal and government affairs, Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International Inc., Washington, D.C.;
Dr. Dale Hatfield, independent consultant and adjunct professor in the Interdisciplinary Telecommunications Program, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colo.;
Dr. Kevin Kahn, senior fellow, Intel Corp, Washington, D.C.;
Hilda Legg, consultant, Legg Strategies, Knifley, Ky.;
James Lewis, senior fellow and director of technology and public policy program, Center for Strategic & International Studies, Washington, D.C.;
Dr. Mark McHenry, president, Shared Spectrum Company, Vienna, Va.;
Darrin M. Mylet, vice president wireless services, Cantor Fitzgerald, New York, N.Y.;
Ambassador Janice Obuchowski, president, Freedom Technologies Inc., Washington, D.C.;
Dr. Robert Pepper, senior managing director, Cisco Systems, Washington, D.C.;
R. Gerard Salemme, executive vice president and director, Clearwire Corp., Washington, D.C.;
Bryan N. Tramont, partner, Wilkinson, Barker, Knauer, LLP, Washington, D.C.;
Mark Tucker, chief executive officer, CoCo Communications, Seattle, Wash.;
Jennifer Warren, senior director of trade and regulatory affairs, Lockheed Martin Corp., Arlington, Va.
