Governor Kitzhaber Names Three to Serve on Oregon Broadband Advisory Council

Salem—Governor John Kitzhaber has appointed three new members to the Oregon Broadband Advisory Council.

The council works to encourage coordination and collaboration between organizations and economic sectors to leverage the development and utilization of broadband for education, workforce development and telehealth, and to promote broadband utilization by citizens and communities.

Governor Kitzhaber has appointed Public Utility Commissioner Susan Ackerman, Lt. Tom Worthy, of the Oregon State Police and Sherman County Commissioner Michael Smith to each serve four-year terms on the 14-member Broadband Council. The three new appointees replace outgoing members Ray Baum, Jeff Johnson and Kathy George respectively.

"As broadband connectivity and use becomes more and more integral to our daily lives, the mission of the Oregon Broadband Advisory Council (OBAC) becomes even more important," said Joseph Franell, CEO of Eastern Oregon Telecom, and Chair of the council. "That is why I am so excited about these three appointments. Having such distinguished and qualified professionals on the council means that the citizens, the Legislature and Governor's office will continue to be well served with advice on how to make the lives of Oregonians better through the deployment and use of broadband."

Commissioner Ackerman is an attorney and was appointed to the Oregon Public Utility Commission in March 2010 by Governor Kulongoski. Prior to her service on the OPUC, she worked as an attorney representing a variety of clients in the electricity and natural gas industries. She also currently serves on the Electricity Committee and the Smart Grid Working Group of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners.

Lieutenant Worthy is in charge of OSP technology projects and has been involved with the OSP Integrated Business and Technology Transformation Program since its inception. Lieutenant Worthy holds a Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology from Washington State University.

Commissioner Smith has multiple industry and corporate certifications in computer technology and has attended the University of Oregon and Portland State University. He also serves on the National Association of Counties' Telecommunications and Technology Steering Committee.

The next meeting of the Oregon Broadband Advisory Council will be held on Thursday, April 26, 2012, from 9:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the Local Government Center, 1201 Court Street NE, Conference Room 306 in Salem.

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