A new trade association has been established to focus on advocacy of interest to “public service” and “public transit” government agencies. “We monitor, advise and advocate policies important to our members and work within the wireless technology and communications communities to support and encourage adoption by regulatory bodies,” says Chris Lougee, president of the Government Wireless Technology & Communications Association (GWTCA).

A news release said that a key goal of the new group “is to ensure access to spectrum for all wireless technologies, in all bands and modes of operation, while balancing the needs of the Public Transit/Public Service community with those of Public Safety and the Business/Industrial communities.”

“We didn’t want to duplicate the good work being done by Public Safety and Business/Industrial trade associations,” Mr. Lougee said. “We will focus on the Public Service/Public Transit community, their voice and champion.” In addition to Mr. Lougee, who runs his own firm called 5X9 Communications and previously was a vice president at Icom America, Inc., officers and board members of the new group are Denis Marin of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department in California, Randy Brooks of Motorola Solutions, Inc., wireless industry consultant and public safety advocate Andy Seybold (VP), Tricia Russo (treasurer), Andy Maxymillian of Blue Wing Services, Inc., William Maconachy of Capitol Technology University, Michael Marusich of the state of Washington (secretary), and Curtis Levinson of Levinson & Daughters LLC.

The counsel for the group is Alan Tilles, chairman of the telecommunications department at Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker PA who is well-known in the public safety and private wireless communities. “Existing trade associations are effective ‘champions’ for either First Responders or Commercial Users because they focus on their needs. GWTCA will focus on the wireless user needs of Public Transit and other Public Service agencies,” said Mr. Marusich, who is Washington state’s alternate statewide interoperability coordinator. – Paul Kirby, paul.kirby@wolterskluwer.com

Courtesy TRDaily