ALBANY - Governor David Paterson announced that he has appointed 13 individuals to serve on the New York State Broadband Development and Deployment Council. The appointees reflect a variety of backgrounds, including private industry and municipal and State government, each a proven leader and expert in broadband technology and strategy. The Council’s primary goal is to provide strategic direction to ensure all New Yorkers have access to high-speed Internet networks and are able to participate fully in today’s digital age.

“An affordable and accessible high-speed broadband network is essential if New York is to become a leader in the new economy,” Governor Paterson said. “We cannot afford to leave any part of the State without a modern, high-speed connection to the web. I thank the members of the Council for sharing this vision and for volunteering their time and expertise to ensure all New Yorkers have access to this modern day utility.”

Ex-Officio Members of the Broadband Council are:

• Dr. Melodie Mayberry-Stewart, New York State Chief Information Officer (Chair);
• Gary A. Brown, Chairman of the NYS Public Service Commission;
• Stanley Gee, Acting Commissioner of the Department of Transportation;
• Robert Megna, Director of the Division of the Budget;
• Dennis M. Mullen, Chairman and CEO Designate of Empire State Development Corp.;
• William Pelgrin, Director of the Office of Cyber Security and Critical Infrastructure Coordination;  
• Edward Reinfurt, Executive Director of the New York State Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation.

Appointed Members of the Council are:

• Stephen Acquario, Executive Director of the NYS Association of Counties;
• Michael J. Borges, Executive Director of the New York Library Association;
• Edward Hemminger, Chief Information Officer for Ontario County, NY; President of the NYS Local Government Information Technology Directors Association; and
• Thomas Dunleavy, Public Service Commission (retired).

Two additional appointed positions will be recommended by the Senate and Assembly.