The Satellite Industry Association (SIA) presented its 2015 Satellite Leadership in Government Award to Karl Nebbia, the former Associate Administrator, Office of Spectrum Management, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
SIA’s President, Tom Stroup presented the award yesterday evening at SIA’s 18th Annual Satellite Leadership Dinner at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. Decker Anstrom, U.S. Representative and Head of Delegation to the 2015 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-15) and Lt. Gen. Ellen M. Pawlikowski, Military Deputy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition provided keynote remarks to the industry executives and government officials attending the SIA dinner.
“SIA is pleased to recognize Karl for his support and contribution to managing the spectrum interests of the satellite industry both domestically and abroad,” said Tom Stroup, President of the Satellite Industry Association. “In particular, his leadership of the Office of Spectrum Management, and his work at the ITU World Radiocommunication Conferences has ensured that the U.S. satellite industry’s spectrum requirements have been understood and considered both within NTIA and in the interagency process.”
“Spectrum’s role in our social world, our economy, our safety, our security, our scientific research grows every day,” said Karl Nebbia. It takes many steps to develop, launch and operate a satellite system, but without spectrum it won’t work. To meet future spectrum needs for the satellite community, government and industry will need to collaborate and cooperate. Similarly, the terrestrial and satellite communications industries will have to work together to find common ground for the benefit of all.”
“Recently, Karl was also responsible for balancing the interests of both the satellite industry as well as the overall broadband spectrum goals of the regulatory community,” added Mr. Stroup. “We wish to thank Karl for his service and are pleased to honor him with this award.”
SIA’s Satellite Leadership in Government Award is traditionally presented to a current or former government official or member of Congress who has demonstrated long-term leadership and dedication to public service on issues affecting the satellite industry and has served as an example to others in government.
The Satellite Leadership in Government Award has been awarded to twelve previous recipients, including Richard Beaird of the State Department (2013), Brian Nilsson of the White House National Security Staff (2012), Rural Utilities Service Administrator Jonathan Adelstein (2011); Major General Ellen Pawlikowski (2010); General James Cartwright and Mr. Richard Russell, Ambassador to the 2007 World Radiocommunication Conference (2008); Representative Ellen Tauscher and Maj. Gen. James B. Armor Jr. (2007); Senator Ted Stevens (2006); and Admiral James O. Ellis Jr. and Tom Tycz, Federal Communications Commission (2005).
As the former Associate Administrator of the Office of Spectrum Management within the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), Mr. Nebbia led spectrum management for the executive branch agencies. His efforts recently focused on President Obama’s call to identify 500 megahertz for wireless broadband and to increase spectrum sharing and industry/government collaboration as tools for providing spectrum access. Previously, he served as the Deputy Associate Administrator for Domestic Spectrum Management. Mr. Nebbia also has extensive international experience as the program manager coordinating the participation of NTIA staff and the U.S. federal agencies in international spectrum management including International Telecommunication Union (ITU) activities.
About The Satellite Industry Association
SIA is a U.S.-based trade association providing worldwide representation of the leading satellite operators, service providers, manufacturers, launch services providers, and ground equipment suppliers. Since its creation almost twenty years ago, SIA has advocated for the unified voice of the U.S. satellite industry on policy, regulatory, and legislative issues affecting the satellite business. For more information, visit www.sia.org.
SIA Executive Members include: The Boeing Company; The DIRECTV Group; EchoStar Corporation; Harris CapRock Communications; Intelsat S.A.; Iridium Communications Inc.; Kratos Defense & Security Solutions; LightSquared; Lockheed Martin Corporation; Northrop Grumman Corporation; SES Americom, Inc.; SSL, and ViaSat, Inc. SIA Associate Members include: ABS US Corp; Airbus DS SatCom Government, Inc.; Artel, LLC; ATK Inc.; Cisco; Comtech EF Data Corp.; DRS Technologies, Inc.; Eutelsat America Corp.; Exelis, Inc.; Glowlink Communications Technology, Inc.; iDirect Government Technologies; Inmarsat, Inc.; Kymeta Corporation; Marshall Communications Corporation.; MTN Government; NewSat America, Inc.; O3b Limited; Orbital Sciences Corporation; Panasonic Avionics Corporation; Row 44, Inc.; TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.; Telesat Canada; TrustComm, Inc.; Ultisat, Inc.; Vencore Inc., and XTAR, LLC.
