US Regulatory Update
Tuesday, October 19, 2004, 3:45pm - 5:00pm

What a difference a year has made. With the activity on Capitol Hill and in the state regulatory bodies the industry is facing potential threats to growth. On the other hand the pulver order has shown signs of a pro Internet strategy guiding us to a clear future. These distinguish speakers share their insight as to the potential market impact regulation may bring to VoIP.

Dorothy Attwood joined SBC in November 2002, and is the Senior Vice President-Regulatory Planning and Policy for SBC Telecommunications, Inc.

Attwood previously worked for the Federal Communications Commission where she served most recently as Chief of the FCC's Wireline Competition Bureau for two years until August 2002. During her six-year tenure at the FCC, Attwood provided strategic and policy counsel to two FCC Chairmen--Michael Powell and William Kennard. She served as Senior Legal Advisor to Chairman Kennard on all common carrier, enforcement and consumer matters and as Chief of the Enforcement Division of the Common Carrier Bureau.

Jim Kohlenberger is the Executive Director of the VON Coalition and a former White House technology policy advisor. At the White House he helped formulate U.S. policy on technology, telecommunications, and the Internet. Specifically, he worked to help pass the Telecommunications Act of 1996, help shape the administration's hands-off approach to the Internet and e-commerce, and help spearhead administration efforts to bridge the digital divide and connect every classroom to the Internet. He now runs his own consulting practice.

David Svanda is a consultant for the VON Coalition and other energy and telecommunications clients. During his recent tenure as a Michigan Public Service Commissioner, Mr. Svanda was a member of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Local and State Government Advisory Committee. While serving as chairman of the Board and president of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), he also served on NARUC’s executive committee and board of directors. He was chairman of the Committee on Finance and Technology. Dave is also past president of the 15-state Mid-American Regulatory Conference (MARC).

Dave earned his MPA degree from Syracuse University and his BA from Western Illinois University.

Richard S. Whitt is Acting Vice President for Federal Law and Policy at MCI, Inc. Rick is responsible for overseeing the Company’s public policy advocacy and regulatory matters before the Federal Communications Commission. He also develops, coordinates, and advocates MCI's positions on issues related to advanced telecommunications services and the Internet. In particular, Rick authored several influential MCI white papers advocating a new legal framework based on IP network “layers” concepts. Prior to joining MCI in 1994, Rick practiced telecommunications law with two D.C. law firms. He graduated cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center in 1988, and magna cum laude from James Madison University in 1984.

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