NYS Broadband Development and Deployment Council Kick-Off Meeting

ALBANY, NY (12/16/2009)(readMedia)-- The New York State Broadband Development and Deployment Council, created by Governor David A. Paterson, under Executive Order 22, convened its first meeting on December 14, 2009. The Council's primary goal is to provide strategic direction to ensure all New Yorkers have access to high-speed Internet networks and are able to participate fully in today's digital age.

In November Governor David A. Paterson announced the Broadband Council membership. When making his appointments, Governor Paterson said, "An affordable and accessible high-speed broadband network is essential if New York is to become a leader in the new economy. We cannot afford to leave any part of the State without a modern, high-speed connection to the web. I thank the members of the Council for sharing this vision and for volunteering their time and expertise to ensure all New Yorkers have access to this modern day utility."

Kristin Proud, Deputy Secretary for Human Services, Technology and Operations and Senior Advisor to the Office of Taxpayer Accountability welcomed Council members on behalf of Governor Paterson. During opening remarks she said, "In these challenging fiscal times, we must continue to make careful investments that create jobs, and increase economic development while driving down costs. Extending high speed Internet access to the unserved and underserved, urban and rural communities will have a positive impact on the economy, education and families, while creating the foundation for economic progress for decades to come."

Dr. Mayberry-Stewart, NYS Chief Information Officer, Director of the Office For Technology, and Chair of the Broadband Development and Deployment Council said, "I am pleased to Chair the Broadband Development and Deployment Council and am excited to work with all the members and our technical committees. Together we will implement the state's broadband strategy and ensure every New Yorker has access to affordable high-speed broadband services. In addition, our work is to provide oversight and governance for the funded broadband stimulus projects."

The meeting agenda included an overview by Jennifer Manner, Deputy Bureau Chief at the Federal Communications Commission, of the national broadband plans that are underway in Washington, D.C. Ms. Manner said, "The National Broadband Plan is being developed as part of the Stimulus Act to ensure all people of the United States have access to high speed broadband access. Broadband is part of the solution to many of the country's problems including issues related to healthcare, energy/environment, education, government operations, economic opportunity and public safety."

Highlighting New York State's broadband mapping effort, William Pelgrin, Director of the NYS Office of Cyber Security and Critical Infrastructure Coordination (CSCIC) discussed the State's broadband mapping project status and requirements, and the $2.5 million broadband mapping grant awarded by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Mr. Pelgrin said, "Collaboration and coordination are key to a successful broadband mapping initiative. CSCIC, CIO/OFT, the NYS Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation, and the NYS Public Service Commission have met with key broadband provider representatives and have jointly developed a range of options for provider participation in accomplishing our mapping objectives. We look forward to continuing this collaborative approach in order to accomplish Governor Paterson's goal of providing broadband access for all New Yorkers."

Members of the Council reflect a variety of backgrounds, including private industry and municipal and State government, each a proven leader and expert in broadband technology and strategy. The Council chaired by Dr. Melodie Mayberry-Stewart, has twelve additional members comprised of commissioners from executive branch agencies, and public and private municipal organizations and associations.

Ex-Officio Members of the Broadband Council are:

Dr. Melodie Mayberry-Stewart, New York State Chief Information Officer (Chair)

Garry A. Brown, Chairman of the NYS Public Service Commission

Stanley Gee, Acting Commissioner of the Department of Transportation

Robert Megna, Director of the Division of the Budget

Dennis M. Mullen, Chairman and CEO Designate of Empire State Development Corp.

William Pelgrin, Director of the Office of Cyber Security and Critical Infrastructure Coordination

Edward Reinfurt, Executive Director of the New York State Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation

Appointed Members of the Council are:

Stephen Acquario, Executive Director of the NYS Association of Counties

Michael J. Borges, Executive Director of the New York Library Association

Edward Hemminger, Chief Information Officer for Ontario County, NY; President of the NYS Local Government Information Technology Directors Association

Thomas Dunleavy, Public Service Commission (retired)

Two additional appointed positions will be recommended by the New York State Senate and Assembly.

The Council is tasked with developing strategies to increase broadband infrastructure, expanding digital literacy and adoption rates, improving access to online government services, fostering economic development and leveraging federal stimulus funds and public private partnerships to meet the State's broadband goals. The executive order also encourages public private partnerships, economic development and the creation of world-class, high-capacity and high-speed broadband networks.

Four technical committees will support the work of the Council.

Digital Literacy and Adoption will address affordability, computer ownership and adoption, digital literacy and training and consumer education.

Chair: Michael Borges, Executive Director, NY Library Association

Co-Chairs: Bernie Margolis, Assistant Commissioner for Libraries, NYS Education Department

David Walsh, CIO, NYS Education Department

E-Government Expansion will improve and increase access to government services offered online and promote the development of open, simple and secure online applications with measurable outcomes.

Chair: Dan Chan, CIO, NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance

Co-Chairs: Thomas Herzog, CIO, NYS Department of Correctional Services

Jeanne Weber, Director, Suffolk Regional Information Center

Economic Development and Infrastructure will focus on building stronger economies, promoting the economic growth of New York State by increasing business activity, identifying and implementing public/private partnerships and determining strategies to create and maintain a skilled and professional workforce.

Chair: Ed Reinfurt, Executive Director, NYS Foundation for Science,

Technology and Innovation

Co-Chairs: Ed Hemminger, CIO, Ontario County

Howard Lowe, Director of Technical Assistance Center, SUNY Plattsburgh

Planning and Policy will focus on recommending and advocating for broadband policies at the state and federal levels to close gaps and advance adoption.

Chair: Michael Ridley, Director of High Performance Computing, NYSTAR

Co-Chairs: Chad Hume, Director of the Office of Telecommunications, NYS Public Service Commission

Michael Kenneally, Associate Counsel, Association of Towns and Villages

The Broadband Development and Deployment Council will also help coordinate federally funded broadband projects. The federal government has acknowledged the need for states to develop high speed Internet access to support economic development and educational opportunities and included a $7.2 billion appropriation for those activities in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The next Broadband Council Meeting is scheduled for March 10, 2010.

More information about New York State's Broadband Strategy and efforts can be found at http://www.oft.state.ny.us/oft/UniversalBroadband/overview.htm

About CIO/OFT

The State Chief Information Officer and Office for Technology (CIO/OFT) provide statewide IT strategic direction, IT policy and centralized IT services to the state and its governmental entities. CIO/OFT provides IT enterprise services to support the missions of state agencies by operating four mainframe data centers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including more than 90,000 telecom users, 50 statewide mission-critical applications, a secure network of over 1,600 miles of fiber, including IT operations, telecommunications, Internet and Intranet services, enterprise email systems and support, IT training, networking, data storage and processing. In addition, the agency has a world renowned project management practice, operates a first class technology academy for NY government entities and e-learning program for groups, operates a 24/7 customer care center, develops and supports web applications and assists with application development. For more information, visit http://www.cio.ny.gov.