On Jan. 1, Gov. Kate Brown re-appointed Eastern Oregon Telecom’s CEO Joseph Franell to the Oregon Broadband Advisory Council (OBAC).
This is Franell’s fourth consecutive appointment to the OBAC representing rural Oregon. He has been a member of the council since it was created and has been its chair all but its first year.
“It is an honor to be reappointed to the council representing rural interests in the state,” Franell said. “The broadband advisory council is one of the most effective organizations of its kind in the U.S. and continues to have a significant positive impact on the adoption and utilization of Broadband in Oregon.”
The Oregon Broadband Advisory Council was created in the 2009 Legislative session to help ensure the implementation of statewide broadband strategies. The mission of the Council is to encourage coordination and collaboration between organizations and economic sectors to leverage the development and utilization of broadband for education, workforce development, government and healthcare, and to promote broadband adoption by citizens and communities.
The council members represent Oregon’s cities, counties, telecommunications service providers, tribes, educators, economic development organizations, public safety agencies, healthcare providers, e-government, the Public Utility Commission, the State House of Representatives and the State Senate. Members of the Council were appointed by the Governor, the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate.
