Harrisburg – The Center for Rural Pennsylvania Board of Directors, chaired by Sen. Gene Yaw, will hold a public hearing on Friday, May 20 at the Penn Wells Hotel in Wellsboro beginning at 9 a.m. to learn more about broadband development in rural Pennsylvania. The hearing will also be held via Zoom.
“The Center has been aware of the importance and lack of broadband across Pennsylvania for decades,” Sen. Yaw said. “This hearing will help us learn more about the most recent developments to expand broadband in rural Pennsylvania, and to hear from those who can address the many issues and opportunities related to broadband internet service in Pennsylvania.”
Presenters scheduled for the public hearing are: Brandon Carson, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority; Erin Wachter, Deputy Secretary of Policy and Planning, Governor’s Policy Office; Todd L. Eachus, President, Broadband Communications Association of Pennsylvania; Joseph Lorah, Director of Government and Public Affairs, Blue Ridge; Steven Samara, President, Pennsylvania Telephone Association; Thomas Musgrove, Government Affairs Manager, Crown Castle; Barbara Burba, President, and Christopher H. Schubert, Esq., Treasurer, Pennsylvania Wireless Association; Jason Bottiglieri, Superintendent, Wyalusing Area School District; James A. Nobles, President & CEO, North Penn Comprehensive Health Services and Laurel Health Centers; Rachel Hauser, Director of Regulatory Affairs & Economic Development, Tri-Co Connections; Kristin Hamilton, Executive Director, Develop Tioga; Robert Veilleux, McKean County Economic Development Liaison; Robert Postal, Mifflin County Commissioner; Elizabeth A. Lose, Assistant Director, Centre County Planning and Community Development Office; Erick Coolidge, Tioga County Commissioner; Jeremy Jurick, Vice President, National Broadband Services Director, Michael Baker International; Thomas Beresnyak, Client Relationship Manager; and Harry Crissy, Extension Educator, Penn State Extension; and Sascha Meinrath, Palmer Chair of Technology, Pennsylvania State University.
In addition to Sen. Yaw, Center Board members are: Board Vice Chairman Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski; Board Secretary Dr. Nancy Falvo, Clarion University of Pennsylvania; Board Treasurer Stephen Brame, Governor’s representative; Sen. Katie Muth; Rep. Dan Moul; Richard Esch, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and Titusville; Dr. Timothy Kelsey, Pennsylvania State University; Shannon Munro, Pennsylvania College of Technology; Dr. Charles Patterson, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania; Susan Snelick, Northern Pennsylvania Regional College; and Darrin Youker, Governor’s representative.
The public hearing will be held at the Penn Wells Hotel, 62 Main St., Wellsboro, PA 16901, and via Zoom. Zoom attendees are asked to register in advance here.
The Center for Rural Pennsylvania is a bipartisan, bicameral legislative agency that serves as a resource for rural policy within the Pennsylvania General Assembly. The Center works with the legislature, educators, state and federal executive branch agencies, and national, statewide, regional and local organizations to maximize resources and strategies that can better serve Pennsylvania’s nearly 3.4 million rural residents.
Contact:
Christine Caldara Piatos – Communications Manager
Center for Rural Pennsylvania
A Legislative Agency of the Pennsylvania General Assembly