Theme of #WeConnect Highlights ACA’s Continued Broadband Investment
For Immediate Release
Contact: Ted Hearn
(202) 713-0826
[email protected]
PITTSBURGH, February 22, 2019 — Federal Communications Commissioner Michael O’Rielly (pictured) will address the American Cable Association on March 20 in Washington, D.C., at the group’s 26th Annual Summit, a leading industry event for the nation’s top voice, video and broadband Internet providers.
“We are honored to welcome FCC Commissioner O’Rielly to address our 26th Summit. During his tenure, Commissioner O’Rielly has proven to be a skilled policymaker. We look forward to hearing the Commissioner again provide insights on the key issues facing small and midsized providers,” ACA President and CEO Matthew M. Polka said.
Commissioner O’Rielly will be speaking on Wednesday, March 20, from 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
ACA’s Summit theme this year is “WeConnect,” which builds on ACA members’ commitment to their customers and communities. Hundreds of ACA members once again are expected to attend this year’s Summit, which will feature a daylong policy forum followed by a day of meetings at the FCC and on Capitol Hill.
“Over the past six years, our members have developed real respect for Commissioner O’Rielly. Invariably, he listens closely to the concerns of smaller providers, and he has shown that he understands the challenges of building networks in rural communities. He has visited our members and witnessed how they invest in employees with technology training, assist schools with expanded online educational tools, and offer broadband choices to local businesses,” Polka said.
Polka added that Commissioner O’Rielly has made easing regulatory burdens on smaller operators a priority of his tenure. Active on social media, Commissioner O’Rielly posts to Twitter as @mikeofcc. Commissioner O’Rielly’s FCC homepage can be found here.
Commissioner O’Rielly was nominated for a seat on the FCC by President Barack Obama on August 1, 2013, and was confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate on October 29, 2013. He was sworn into office on November 4, 2013. On January 29, 2015, he was sworn into office for a new term, following his re-nomination by the President and confirmation by the Senate.
Prior to joining the agency, Commissioner O’Rielly served as a Policy Advisor in the Office of the Senate Republican Whip, led by U.S. Senator John Cornyn, starting in January 2013. He worked in the Republican Whip’s Office starting in 2010, as an Advisor from 2010 to 2012 and Deputy Chief of Staff and Policy Director from 2012 to 2013 for U.S. Senator Jon Kyl.
He previously worked for the Republican Policy Committee in the U.S. Senate as a Policy Analyst for Banking, Technology, Transportation, Trade, and Commerce issues from 2009 to 2010. Prior to this, Commissioner O’Rielly worked in the Office of U.S. Senator John Sununu, as Legislative Director from 2007 to 2009, and Senior Legislative Assistant from 2003 to 2007. Before his tenure as a Senate staffer, he served as a Professional Staff Member on the Committee on Energy and Commerce in the United States House of Representatives from 1998 to 2003, and Telecommunications Policy Analyst from 1995 to 1998.
He began his career as a Legislative Assistant to U.S. Congressman Tom Bliley from 1994 to 1995. Commissioner O’Rielly received his B.A. from the University of Rochester.
The ACA Summit website includes event details and secure online registration. Please visit the ACA Summit 2019 website by clicking here: ACA Summit. The event will take place on March 19-21, at the Grand Hyatt, 1000 H Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20001. This year’s Summit is ACA’s 26th annual “fly-in” to Washington with its members and will use the hashtag #Summit26 for all social media about the event.
About the American Cable Association: Based in Pittsburgh, the American Cable Association is a trade organization representing more than 700 smaller and medium-sized, independent companies that provide broadband, phone and video services to nearly 8 million customers primarily located in rural and smaller suburban markets across America. Through active participation in the regulatory and legislative process in Washington, D.C., ACA’s members work together to advance the interests of their customers and ensure the future competitiveness and viability of their business. For more information, visit: https://acaconnects.org/