Mike Lynch
Legislative Director, National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors
Mike Lynch transitioned from public policy in a media relations & marketing environment into a communications job within an IT environment just before the Telecommunications Act of 1996 became law. 25 years later and he’s still in the same job and loves it! In this capacity, he’s responsible for all aspects of licensing of wireless and cable television franchises; funding Digital Equity & Inclusion efforts of the City and PEG support; mediating consumer issues for cable service, performance, rates and construction; programming government and educational television; collaborating with the Boston Neighborhood Network Media; certifying telecommunications under the city’s Office of Telecommunications Policy. Successively, he’s worked as a freelance photojournalist, weekly newspaper manager, mayor’s press secretary, City Hospital and public health communications director and mayoral policy advisor. Mike’s active in local telecomm and community programming issues through the Mass. Municipal Assoc., Mass. Chapter of NATOA, and the WGBH Community Advisory Board. On the local community level, he volunteers at a number of organizations including Boston Main Streets, Boston Latin School Association, Boston Light Swim, Boston community centers where he also coached youth soccer, basketball and lacrosse. He’s a graduate of UMass. (BSIT) certified in Project Management (UMass) and PTI's GCIO (Rutgers) program. When he's not at work, he's usually on the water in Boston Harbor where he's a slow swimmer and struggling boatsman. Mike’s married with 2 adult children.
Workshop: News from Capitol Hill and around the Country, and what it means to New Jersey PEG Stations
Do you know what is going on in the halls of Congress or even in the individual States that could affect how you are able to do business as usual at your local PEG station?
Hear how the Protecting Community Television Act bill that is circulating around both chambers of Congress can change the direction of the FCC's 621 Order that hurt the Access Community. Is the FCC going to get a 5th Commissioner and what would that mean to us? What is the status of the Broadband funds and how could this affect your community? Learn about an act to Ensure Nondiscriminatory Treatment of Public, Educational and Governmental Access Channels by Cable System Operators that has been enacted in the State of Maine, known as the "PEG Non-Discrimination" or "PEG Equal Rights" law. Find out the answers to these issues and more along with having your own questions answered by experts who have national exposer to all matters that could greatly impact the future of access television.
Panelists: Mike Wassenaar, President & CEO, Alliance for Community Media and Mike Lynch, Legislative Director, National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors, (NATOA)
Moderator: Dave Garb, Chair, JAG Legislative Committee
Keynote Lunch Sponsored by Planet Networks
Presentation of Community Recognition Award
The Jersey Access Group is please to present the West Milford Town Council and in particular Mayor Michele Dale and council liaisons Ada Erik and Marilyn Lichtenberg for their continued support of their municipal channel WM77. West Milford launched its channel just 10 years ago, but since the beginning, the council, the mayor and the liaisons have supported the activities of the all-volunteer staff to keep residents informed on township activities. While WM77 is one of the smaller stations in the organization, it would not be able to continue its mission without the financial support and encouragement of the council, and for that reason we are pleased to present them our Community Recognition Award.
Vendor Appreciation Award
Launch of JAG Streaming Channel Rushworks streaming equipment and TelVue Streaming service.
The Jersey Access Group recognizes the support of Rushworks for their a donation of the Streamster a hardware/software combination for managing and streaming JAG’s own Internet TV channel.
The Jersey Access Group recognizes the support of TelVue in providing the streaming service that makes it possible for the JAG Internet TV channel to be seen on a number of different social media platforms.
Discussion: Where’s The Money? — From Washington to Trenton, accessing Broadband Money from the American Infrastructure Bill
Over a year ago the federal government approved 65 billion dollars to improve broadband deployment. That money flows from the Federal Government to the states for distribution. Where are we know? How can municipalities have access to funds? What are broadband and cable companies doing to help deployment of broadband? Our panel will talk about this and other issues, plus answer your questions.
Moderator: Brian C. Wahler, Mayor of Piscataway
Panelists: Robert Boyle, CEO Planet Networks,
Mike Wassenaar, President & CEO, Alliance for Community Media
Mike Lynch, Legislative Director, National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors, (NATOA),
Marilyn Davis, Senior Director of Government Affairs, Altice