FCC Announces the Telecommunications Interagency Working Group

The Federal Communications Commission alongside the Department of Labor, Department of Education, and National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced the members of a cross-agency working group that will collaborate to identify the current and future needs of the telecommunications industry workforce, including the safety of that workforce. In accordance with the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel appointed five members, Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh appointed four members, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona appointed two members, and Evelyn Remaley, performing the non-exclusive functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, appointed one member to the new interagency working group. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act directed the FCC Chair to work in partnership with the Secretary of Labor to establish an interagency working group that will ultimately prepare a report to Congress on its recommendations to address the needs of the telecommunications industry, including the safety of its workforce. This report must be delivered to Congress by January 14, 2023.

Members

Amy Brett

Acting Chief of Staff

Wireless Telecommunications Bureau

Federal Communications Commission

Representative of the Federal Communications Commission, appointed by the Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission

J. Noah Brown

Senior Advisor

Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education

Department of Education

Representative of the Department of Education, appointed by the Secretary of Education

Kathy Gill

Chief Executive Officer

Tower Safety

Public Interest Advocate for Tower Climber Safety, appointed by the Secretary of Labor

Tim House

Executive Vice President

Wireless Infrastructure Association

Representative of a Telecommunications Industry Association, appointed by the Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission

Scott Ketcham

Director

Occupational Safety and Health Administration Directorate of Construction

Representative of the Directorate of Construction of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, appointed by the Secretary of Labor

Leticia Latino van Splunteren

Chief Executive Officer

Neptuno USA, Corp.

Representative of a Telecommunications Contractor Firm, appointed by the Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission

Scott Ralls

President

Wake Technical Community College

Representative of an Institution of Higher Education, appointed by the Secretary of Education

Christopher Shelton

President

Communications Workers of America

Representative of a Labor Organization Representing the Telecommunications Workforce, appointed by the Secretary of Labor

Chris Shilling

Undersecretary of Technology & Innovation

The Chickasaw Nation

Representative of an Indian Tribe, appointed by the Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission

Jim Simpson

Director of Installer-Technician (Telecommunications) and Residential Curriculum

electrical training ALLIANCE

Representative of a Registered Apprenticeship Program in Construction or Maintenance, appointed by the Secretary of Labor

Bruce Washington

Chief of Staff

Office of Spectrum Management

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Representative of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, appointed by the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information

Kristi Westbrock

Chief Executive Officer & General Manager

Consolidated Telecommunications Company

Representative of a Rural Telecommunications Carrier, appointed by the Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission