Governor's Task Force on Broadband Access

​​​​​​​​​​​​                   

On July 14th, 2020, Governor Tony Evers signed Executive Order #80 (Accessible Version​) creating the Governor's Task Force on Broadband Access. The task force will advise the Governor and Wisconsin State Legislature on broadband actions and policy, including strategies for successfully expanding high speed internet access to every residence, business, and institution in the state; initiatives for digital inclusion; and pathways to unlocking and optimizing the benefits of statewide, affordable access to broadband for all communities in Wisconsin.

Jump to Section:

Leadership & Membership

The task force will be chaired by Chris Meyer and consists of members who represent a balance of interests, perspectives, and areas of expertise. It will bring together a diverse group of stakeholders to research and develop recommendations for actions so that all Wisconsinites can have access to this essential and critical service needed for daily life.​

Governor's Task Force on Broadband Access members include: 

• Bob Abrams, Senior Managing Consultant, BKD (Retired)​
  
• Robert Earl Baker III, Founder, RenderTech​
  
• Kwami Barnes, Broadband Coordinator, Communications Workers of America
  
• Marta Bechtol, Executive Director, Educational Communications Board
  
• Brittany Beyer, Community Economic Development Specialist, UW-Extension Center for Community and Economic Development
  
• Salvador L. Carranza, Board Member, Latino Academy of Workforce Development
  
• Lori Collins, President/CEO, SonicNet Inc.
  
• Douglas Cox, Director of Land Management, Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin
  
• Angie Dickison, State Government Affairs Manager, TDS Telecommunications
  
• Emily Dittmar, Legislative Director, Wisconsin Educational Media and Technology Association
  
• Russ Falkenberg, Board Member, Ntera, LLC
  
• Chris Her-Xiong, Executive Director/Principal, Hmong American Peace Academy
  
• Justin Huebner, CEO and General Manager, Solarus
  
• Gail Huycke, Community Development Specialist, UW-Extension Center for Community and Economic Development
  
• Barbara Koldos, Vice President of Business Development, New North, Inc.
  
• Howard Marklein, State Senator (R-Spring Green)
• Jose Martinez, Vice President, UMOS
  
• Chris Meyer, Vice President Royal Credit Union (​Chair)
  
• Jeffrey Mursau, State Representative (R-Crivitz)
  
• Brad Pfaff, State Senator (D-Onalaska)
• Melissa Ratcliff, State Representative (D-Cottage Grove)
• Rachel K. Schemelin, E-Rate and Broadband Education Consultant, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction​
  
• Steve Schneider, President and Director, Bug Tussel Wireless​
  
• Michelle Schuler, Manager of TechSpark Wisconsin, Microsoft
  
• Brett Schuppner, General Manager, Reedsburg Utility Commission
  
• Dr. Chet Strebe, Associate Vice President of Information Technology, Chief Information Officer, Northcentral Technical College
  
• Chad Young, CEO/General Manager, Norvado​
  

Annual Broadband Report

The task force will prepare an annual report that will include the current state of broadband in Wisconsin, as well as recommendations for policies and initiatives to overcome challenges to statewide access, affordability and adoption. Staffing support for the task force will be provided by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) State Broadband Office.

2023 Governor's Task Force on Broadband Access Report​

2022 Governor's Task Force on Broadband Access Report​

​2021 Governor's Task Force on Broadband Access Report​

Upcoming Task Force Meetings​​​

See the PSC Event Calendar for meeting agenda and links.

If you need an interpreter, translator, materials i​n alternate formats or other accommodations to access this service, activity or program, please call the phone number below at least three business days prior to the meeting.

Si necesita un intérprete, un traductor, materiales en formatos alternativos u otros arreglos para acceder a este servicio, actividad o programa, comuníquese al número de teléfono que figura a continuación tres días hábiles como mínimo antes de la reunión.

Yog hais tias koj xav tau ib tug neeg txhais lus, ib tug neeg txhais ntawv, cov ntawv ua lwm hom ntawv los sis lwm cov kev pab kom siv tau cov kev pab, cov kev ua ub no (activity) los sis qhov kev p​ab cuam, thov hu rau tus xov tooj hauv qab yam tsawg peb hnub ua hauj lwm ua ntej yuav tuaj sib tham.

Past Task Force Meetings

​Public Com​ment​

Members of the public and other interested parties may provide public comment in two forms. First, a portion of time will be set aside on each full task force meeting agenda for public comment opportunity. Second, written public comment will be accepte​d in formal letter form if sent to
PSCStateBroadb​​andOffice@Wisconsin.gov with the subject line “Task Force Public Comment".​​​​