Director of SCTDV to Chair Native Public Media Board of Directors

Flagstaff, AZ, October 13, 2011 – Matthew Rantanen will lead the national Native American organization, Native Public Media, as Chairman of the Board. Native Public Media is the only organization dedicated to providing service to the Native media network as well as providing a policy program directed at changing the broadcast and telecommunications landscape in the United States that is home to 565 federally recognized Tribes.

Rantanen in his acceptance said, “It is an honor to be elected as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Native Public Media. This is a time of change and great opportunity for tribes in access to communications technology, and NPM is poised to help tribes strategically navigate the obstacles that lie ahead in all forms of communications/media.”
Named to the Federal Communication Commission’s Native Nation’s Broadband Task Force by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski in March, Rantanen brings strong leadership and telecommunications expertise to Native Public Media.

“Matthew Rantanen has been a leading voice for Native Americans in DC policy debates and a powerful advocate on issues of fundamental importance to Tribal authorities and residents,” stated Sascha Meinrath, Director of New America Foundation’s Open Technology Initiative. “Matt’s leadership, expertise, and on-the-ground knowledge have proven invaluable in helping shape national policies and influencing key decision-makers; over the years we’ve worked together, he has proven to be a powerful watchdog fighting to support Tribal rights and sovereignty.”

Rantanen is the Director of Technology for the Southern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association and Vice President of Technology for Southern California Tribal Technologies, LLC which supports tribal communities in Southern California in wireless deployment. Rantanen’s work with Tribes includes radio station applications, development of tribal technology corporations, marketing, and community wireless networking.

“Native Public Media is honored that Matthew Rantanen, a highly respected and valued member of our Tribal community, will serve a chair for our Board of Directors. His direct ties to our tribal leaders and tribal communities are assets to our Board and organization. His voice on broadband, net neutrality, spectrum and media is long standing not only at the grassroots level but also in the beltway of Washington D.C,” states Loris Taylor, President and CEO of Native Public Media.

As a Tribal technology expert, Rantanen has presented his expertise before the Ford Foundation, Google, California Emerging Technology Fund, City WLAN Conference in Finland, the AirJaldi Summit in Dharamshala, India, and the International Community Wireless Summit in Vienna, Austria. He has also testified before the FCC and the California Public Utilities Commission.

To learn more check out http://nativepublicmedia.org/