National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors
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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
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.{{cn|date=April 2025}}
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 [https://www.natoa.org/government-programming Government Programming Awards (GPAs)]{{Cite web|url=https://www.natoa.org/web/peg/site_details/1|title=Government Programming Awards|last=|first=|date=|website=www.natoa.org|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2018-06-18}} and the [https://www.natoa.org/broadband-and-digital-equity Community Broadband & Digital Equity Awards].
The Government Programming Awards (GPAs) are annual awards that recognize 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.
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.{{cn|date=April 2025}}
See also
References
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External links
- [http://natoa.org Official web site]. NATOA Website