National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors

The National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) is a US-based professional membership association that provides support to members on the many local, state, and federal communications laws, administrative rulings, judicial decisions, and technology issues impacting the interests of local governments. Founded in 1980, NATOA offers a wide range of advocacy services to individual and agency members representing cities, towns, counties and commissions across the country. NATOA has a headquarters office in Alexandria, VA, and is served by a twelve-member volunteer board of directors composed of members from across the country.

Leadership
The National Association of Telecommunication Officers and Advisors is overseen by a board of directors that consists of eleven voting Directors (one President, one President-Elect and nine Directors) and one non-voting Director (the Immediate Past President) all of whom must maintain status as a voting member of the association throughout the duration of their terms. The Board of Directors shall have the authority to appoint, at its option, an Executive Committee which is composed of the President, President-elect, and Secretary-Treasurer.

The current President of NATOA is Rick Assmus, City of Arvada, CO

Past Presidents of NATOA: 2021 - 2023 - Michael Russo, Calabasas, CA 2019 - 2021 - Brian Roberts, San Francisco, CA 2017 - 2019 - Mike Lynch, Boston MA 2015 - 2017 - Jodie Miller, Inver Grove Heights, MN 2013 - 2015 - Tony Perez, Seattle, WA 2011 - 2013 - Joanne Hovis 2009 - 2011 - Ken Fellman, Arvada, CO 2007 - 2009 - Mary Beth Henry, Portland, OR 2006 - 2007 - Paul Berra, St. Louis, MO 2005 - 2006 - Doris Boris, Charlotte, NC 2004 - 2005 - Lori Panzino-Tillery, San Bernardino County, CA 2003 - 2004 - Coralie Wilson - Roseville, MN 2001 - 2003 - Denise Brady - San Francisco, CA 2000 - 2001 - Ron Mallard - Fairfax County, VA 1999 - 2000 - Darryl Anderson - Washington DC 1998 - 1999 - Jane Lawton - Montgomery County, MD 1997 - 1998 - Tom Weisner - Aurora, IL 1996 - 1997 - Byron West - Denver, CO 1995 - 1996 - Mike Reardon - St. Paul, MN 1994 - 1995 - Susan Littlefield - St. Louis, MO 1993 - 1994 - Bill Squadron - New York City, NY 1992 - 1993 - David Olson - Portland, OR 1990 - 1992 - Susan Herman - Santa Monica, CA 1988 - 1990 - Paul Berra - St. Louis, MO 1987 - 1988 - Donna Mason - Vancouver, WA 1985 - 1987 - Bill Bradley - Denver, CO 1983 - 1985 - John Hansman - Rockville, MD 1980 - 1983 - Frank Greif - Seattle, WA

Advocacy
NATOA is highly respected and regarded by members of Congress and the FCC as a major voice and key advisor regarding local government perspectives and the public interest. We continuously collaborate with key legislators and FCC commissioners and staff to ensure NATOA's voice is heard and our positions are considered. As a trade organization, NATOA facilitates our ability to pool resources in order to make an impact in a world where the industry is able to spend exponentially more than local governments will ever be able to afford. In addition to utilizing the talent of its members, NATOA cooperates with colleague organizations such as National League of Cities (NLC), United States Conference of Mayors (USCM), National Association of Counties (NACo), and Alliance for Community Media (ACM).

History
Originally named the Association of Cable Regulators, NATOA formed in 1980 as an affiliated association with the National League of Cities (NLC), before eventually became an independent association shortly thereafter. NATOA's knowledge and understanding of how federal communications policies impact local governments and the citizens we represent have resulted in our ability to have direct influence on legislation, regulations, and policy development.

Membership & Chapters
NATOA represents local governments across the country. Members include cities, counties, towns, villages and commissions. NATOA also has regional chapters that are affiliated with the national NATOA organization. Chapters include:

CAPATOA – National Capital Association of Telecommunications Officers & Advisors CCUA – Colorado Communications and Utility Alliance HITOA - Hawaii ILNATOA - Illinois JAG - Jersey Access Group KATOA - Kentucky MI-NATOA - Michigan MACTA - Minnesota OATOA - Oregon SCAN-NATOA - States of California & Nevada TATOA - Texas VATOA - Virginia WATOA - Washington

Activities
NATOA hosts an Annual Conference each year, providing members the opportunity to gather and learn from the best in the field. The conference features an exhibit tradeshow, educational workshops, networking opportunities, roundtable discussions, and presentation of the winners of the Government Programming Awards (GPAs) and the Community Broadband & Digital Equity Awards.

The Government Programming Awards (GPAs) are annual awards that recognize excellence in broadcast, cable, multimedia and electronic programming produced by local government agencies. Categories cover a variety of programming including, among others, community events, documentary, public affairs and public service, interview/talk show, performing arts, sports, election coverage and children’ s issues. Celebrating over 30 years of programming excellence, the GPA's celebrate the achievements of government programmers across the nation.

Launched in 2007, the Community Broadband & Digital Equity Awards recognize exceptional leaders in government, business and the community are serving as champions of local interests and needs in broadband and technology. Winners are announced annually and recognized during the Annual Conference.

NATOA offers additional educational opportunities through its eNATOA series, low-cost monthly webinars on various topics of interest to members.

NATOA also publishes an electronic newsletter eN-Light, and hosts list serve forums offering membership the opportunity to easily communicate with fellow members across the country.