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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 05-28-2026; 6 - Orange County Broadband Task Force – Appointment Discussion 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: May 28, 2026 Action Agenda Item No. 6 SUBJECT: Orange County Broadband Task Force — Appointment Discussion DEPARTMENT: Clerk's Office ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Members and Applicants Summary Sheet Clerk's Office, 919-245-2130 Applications of Applicants Membership Roster Applicant Interest List PURPOSE: To discuss an appointment to the Orange County Broadband Task Force. BACKGROUND: The Orange County Broadband Task Force is charged to: 1. Discuss broadband solutions that will improve the quality of high-speed internet services to Orange County residents, and 2. Recommend a plan to the Board of Orange County Commissioners to expand reliable high- speed internet services to all county residents and businesses. 3. Update and track broadband coverage needs as State and Federal program awards are made. 4. Consult with County staff on how to best communicate information related to broadband coverage to other residents. The Board of County Commissioners appoints five (5) Orange County residents to At-Large positions. The following position is presented for Board consideration: NAME POSITION TYPE OF EXPIRATION DESCRIPTION APPOINTMENT DATE TERM Orange County At-Large First Full Term 09/30/2028 Resident FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item. ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports: • GUIDING PRINCIPLE — INCLUSIVITY AND ENGAGEMENT We foster an environment in which all are welcomed, represented, and empowered to participate in and feel connected to their community. • GUIDING PRINCIPLE — DEDICATION AND RESPECT 2 We commit to our roles in public service and organizational excellence by fostering the skills, talents, and innovation of our residents, employees, volunteers, and boards needed to carry out this work. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board discuss an appointment to the Orange County Broadband Task Force. 3 BOCC-Appointed Members and Applicants-Orange County Broadband Task Force Name Member or Applicant? Gender Identity Race/Ethnic Background Age Range Township Also Serves on Andrew Leeb Member Male White 35-59 Bingham Eric Kurtz Member Male White 60+ Bingham Patrick Murphy Member Choose not to disclose White 60+ Cheeks Terri Buckner Member Female White 60+ Chapel Hill Carrboro Planning Board-ETJ Representative VACANT Matthew Clements Applicant Male White 35-59 Chapel Hill Vladimir Colina Applicant Male Hispanic 35-59 Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation Council Arthur Hayden Applicant Other White 60+ Hillsborough Roy Schonberg Applicant Male White 60+ Chapel Hill Orange Unified Transportation Board David Wright jApplicant IMale lWhite 60+ jBingham 4 Page 1 of 2 Matthew Clements Volunteer Application Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions Name: Mr. Matthew Clements Name Called: Home Address: 300 NC Hwy 54 Byp C-1 Fenway Park Carrboro NC 27510 Phone: 919-593-2119 Email: clements_matt@hotmail.com Year of OC Residence: 1990 Township of Residence: Chapel Hill Zone of Residence: Carrboro City Limits Gender Identity: Male Ethnic Background: White Age Range: 35-59 Community Activities/Organizational Memberships: Volunteer IT Support at TABLE, Orange County Libertarian Party Chair, NORML volunteer. Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards: N/A Boards/Commissions applied for: Orange County Broadband Task Force Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board I'm an IT Professional with decades of experience in hospitality, non-profits. Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board Affordable broadband internet is critical infrastructure. Competition is critical to provide value to residents. How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints? Champion those whom do not have time or ability to serve. To be their voice about having affordable high speed internet and to figure out how to avoid the hoops set up for local government from Raleigh Do you have any personal or business interest(s)that could create a conflict of interest (either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board? Boards/Commissions appointments: Other Comments: This application was current on: 10/22/2025 9:29:22 AM Date Printed: 10/22/2025 5 Page 2 of 2 Matthew Clements 6 Page 1 of 2 Vladimir Colina Volunteer Application Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions Name: Vladimir Colina Name Called: Home Address: 102 Corbin Hill Cir. Chapel Hill NC 27514 Phone: 305-748-0704 Email: Vcolina70@yahoo.com Year of OC Residence: 2024 Township of Residence: Chapel Hill Zone of Residence: C.H. City Limits Gender Identity: Male Ethnic Background: Hispanic Age Range: 35-59 Community Activities/Organizational Memberships: Friends of Piedmont Carolina Club Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards: N/A Boards/Commissions applied for: Orange County Broadband Task Force Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board My background in marketing at Coca-Cola and product management at Devir Games equips me with strategic communication, market analysis, and project management skills, ideal for advancing the Orange County Broadband Task Force's mission to enhance connectivity and community engagement. Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board I want to join the Orange County Broadband Task Force to serve the community by improving access to reliable broadband, fostering digital equity, and enhancing opportunities for education and economic growth. How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints? My participation will bring diverse perspectives from my marketing and product management experience, offering innovative strategies and a community-focused approach to enhance broadband accessibility and inclusion. Do you have any personal or business interest(s)that could create a conflict of interest (either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board? Parks and Recreation Council Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board 7 Page 2 of 2 Vladimir Colina My seven years in the board games and family entertainment industry, combined with marketing experience at Coca-Cola and product management at Devir Games, equip me with expertise in creating engaging, community-focused recreational activities, ideal for advancing the Parks and Recreation Council's mission. Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board I am passionate about serving the community by promoting inclusive, fun, and accessible recreational opportunities through parks and programs, fostering family connections and community well-being. How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints? My extensive experience in board games and family entertainment brings a unique perspective on innovative, interactive recreation, enriching the Council's efforts to create diverse, community-driven park experiences. Do you have any personal or business interest(s)that could create a conflict of interest (either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board? Boards/Commissions appointments: Other Comments: This application was current on: 10/24/2025 7:12:47 AM Date Printed: 10/24/2025 8 Page 1 of 2 Arthur Hayden Volunteer Application Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions Name: Mr. Arthur Hayden Name Called: Home Address: 212 Great Eno Path Hillsborough NC 27278 Phone: 919-559-5911 Email: arh@tango-us.com Year of OC Residence: 2020 Township of Residence: Hillsborough Zone of Residence: Hillsborough Town Limits Gender Identity: Other Ethnic Background: White Age Range: 60+ Community Activities/Organizational Memberships: None Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards: None Boards/Commissions applied for: Orange County Broadband Task Force Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board Sales and design of data communications since 1984\ Ethernet hardware and software Triple play hardware and software to include voice, video and data equipment and software Wifi networks sales and design 40 years experience Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board Knowledge of medium, delivery of services, design and planning skills How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints? I am only concerned with delivering solutions to problems whatever they might be, my guess is how do you deliver inexpensive comprehensive network access to rural communities and teaching novice users how to use said services. Do you have any personal or business interest(s)that could create a conflict of interest (either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board? Boards/Commissions appointments: Other Comments: Originally applied for Broadband Task Force 01/05/2021 Reapplied 10/10/2025 9 Page 2 of 2 Arthur Hayden This application was current on: 10/10/2025 7:25:06 AM Date Printed: 10/10/2025 10 Page 1 of 2 Roy Schonberg Volunteer Application Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions Name: Roy Schonberg Name Called: Home Address: 3201 Tipi Ln. Durham NC 27705 Phone: 919-624-0207 Email: roys@nc.rr.com Year of OC Residence: 1976 Township of Residence: Chapel Hill Zone of Residence: County Gender Identity: Male Ethnic Background: White Age Range: 60+ Community Activities/Organizational Memberships: Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards: Orange Unified Transportation Board Boards/Commissions applied for: Orange County Broadband Task Force Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board IT professional with 35 years at RTI International, retired for 14 years. For most of my career my focus was on planning, designing, procuring, and managing infrastructure projects. The projects were to provide Internet access, implement WANs and LANs, and used a wide range of technologies including cable, cellular and satellite. For many years I worked on projects in developing countries to provide Internet access where basic telecommunication infrastructure was absent or unreliable. I bring a balance of technical knowledge, project management, and extensive experience evaluating proposals from service providers from both technical and financial perspectives. Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board During the pandemic I have seen how the lack of high speed broadband has made my daughter's time at UNC's nursing school more challenging and created obstacles to her education during these challenging times. I have a grandson in seventh grade and while he lives in Durham County, I have seen seen first hand how the availability of broadband has both enabled and hampered the ability of public schools to shift to virtual learning. I joined the OUTboard as a way to increase my involvement in the community. The Broadband Taskforce will enable me to further increase my involvement while drawing on my years of experience in providing Internet access in under served areas. While the 2 examples above impacted my family, I have a broader interest in facilitating all county residents having Internet access sufficient to participate in society today whether its on-line learning for all ages, conducting business, shopping, or any of the other activities of daily living that are dependent on Internet access. How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints? 11 Page 2 of 2 Roy Schonberg My international experience brings an awareness of the challenges to providing services in under served areas of the county, as well as experience working with diverse interest groups. Do you have any personal or business interest(s)that could create a conflict of interest (either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board? Boards/Commissions appointments: Orange Unified Transportation Board Application Date: 12/31/2019 Background, education and experience relevant to this board: My professional background is in IT and Project Management so I have extensive experience requesting and reviewing project proposals. We ve lived in Orange county for 39 years and have seen how growth has changed and impacted the roads. Reasons for wanting to serve on this board: General interest in helping to manage the county s growing transportation needs with a particular interest in bicycling and public transit. Conflict of Interest: Other Comments: Applied for OUTBoard 12/31/2019 Applied for Broadband Task Force 12/31/2020 Renewed application for Broadband Task Force 10/13/2025 9:53 AM This application was current on: 10/13/2025 9:53:00 AM Date Printed: 10/23/2025 12 Page 1 of 2 David Wright Volunteer Application Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions Name: David Wright Name Called: Home Address: 3115 Gait Way Chapel Hill NC 27516 Phone: 919-360-0005 Email: dcwright@mindspring.com Year of OC Residence: 1967 Township of Residence: Bingham Zone of Residence: County Gender Identity: Male Ethnic Background: White Age Range: 60+ Community Activities/Organizational Memberships: 50 YRS IN RADIO, TV, CABLE, COMPUTERS I HOLD 2 FCC RADIO OPERATOR LICENSES MAINTENANCE TEAM LEAD FOR IEEE MOVE DISASTER RELIEF PROGRAM David C Wright CSREA® W4LMW Extra DMR ID 3173418 FCC GROL PG0512005 Life Member IEEE, SBE Sr. Member APRE IEEE MOVE Team https://move.ieeeusa.org/ IEEE Public Safety Technology Community https://publicsafety.ieee.org NC General Contractor#25782 - PU Communications Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards: NONE Boards/Commissions applied for: Orange County Broadband Task Force Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board UNC GRADUATE IN PHYSICS AND RADIO, TV, MOTION PICTURE WORK FOR VILLAGE BROADCASTING FOR 4 YEARS, HELP BUILD THE COUNTY'S FIRST CABLE SYSTEM. SPEND 35 YEARS IN PUBLIC BROADCASTING Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board PERHAPS MY BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE WILL HELP THE BOARD How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints? 13 Page 2 of 2 David Wright Do you have any personal or business interest(s)that could create a conflict of interest (either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board? Boards/Commissions appointments: Other Comments: This application was current on: 10/21/2025 11:08:52 PM Date Printed: 10/22/2025 14 Board and Commission Members And Vacant Positions Orange County Broadband Task Force Meeting Times: TBD TBD Contact Person:Robert Reynolds,Chief Information Officer Meeting Place: TBD Contact Phone: 919-245-2276 Positions: 12 Length:3 years Terms: 1 Description: <div>The Orange County Broadband Task Force is charged to: 1.Discuss broadband solutions to improve the quality of high speed internet services to Orange County residents;2.Recommend a plan to the Board of Orange County Commissioners to expand reliable high-speed intemet services to all county residents and businesses;3.Update and track broadband coverage needs as State and Federal program awards are made;4.Consult with County staff on how to best communicate information related to broadband coverage to all residents.</div> Travis Myren 1 First Appointed: 10/07/2025 Gender Identity: Township: Current Appointment: 10/07/2025 Ethnic Background: Residency Req: Expiration: 09/30/2028 Age Range: Special Repr: County Manager Designee Number of Terms: Robert Reynolds 2 First Appointed: 10/07/2025 Gender Identity: Township: Current Appointment: 10/07/2025 Ethnic Background: Residency Req: Expiration: 09/30/2028 Age Range: Special Repr: Orange County Chief Information Officer Number of Terms: Debby Atwater 3 First Appointed: 01/22/2026 Gender Identity: Township: Current Appointment: 01/22/2026 Ethnic Background: Residency Req: Expiration: 09/30/2028 Age Range: Special Repr: CHCCS Superintendent Designee Number of Terms: Mr Ryan Miller 4 First Appointed: 11/13/2025 Gender Identity: Male Township: Cheeks Current Appointment: 11/13/2025 Ethnic Background: White Residency Req: Expiration: 09/30/2028 Age Range: Special Repr: OCS Superintendent Designee Number of Terms: Scott Neal 5 First Appointed: 10/07/2025 Gender Identity: Township: Current Appointment: 10/07/2025 Ethnic Background: Residency Req: Expiration: 09/30/2028 Age Range: Special Repr: Durham Technical Community College D Number of Terms: Earl McKee 6 First Appointed: 02/02/2021 Gender Identity: Male Township: Little River Current Appointment: 10/07/2025 Ethnic Background: White Residency Req: Expiration: 09/30/2028 Age Range: Special Repr: Board of Commissioners Appointee- 1 Number of Terms: Friday,May 15,2026 Page 1 15 Board and Commission Members And Vacant Positions Orange County Broadband Task Force Meeting Times: TBD TBD Contact Person:Robert Reynolds,Chief Information Officer Meeting Place: TBD Contact Phone: 919-245-2276 Positions: 12 Length:3 years Terms: 1 Sally Greene 7 First Appointed: 02/02/2021 Gender Identity: Female Township: Chapel Hill Current Appointment: 10/07/2025 Ethnic Background: White Residency Req: Expiration: 09/30/2028 Age Range: Special Repr: Board of Commissioners Appointee-2 Number of Terms: Andrew Leeb 8 First Appointed: 11/06/2025 Gender Identity: Male Township: Bingham Current Appointment: 11/06/2025 Ethnic Background: White Residency Req: Expiration: 09/30/2028 Age Range: 35-59 Special Repr: Orange County Resident-At-Large Number of Terms: 1 Mr. Eric Kurtz 9 First Appointed: 11/06/2025 Gender Identity: Male Township: Bingham Current Appointment: 11/06/2025 Ethnic Background: White Residency Req: Expiration: 09/30/2028 Age Range: 60+ Special Repr: Orange County Resident-At-Large Number of Terms: 1 VACANT 10 First Appointed: Gender Identity: Township: Current Appointment: Ethnic Background: Residency Req: Expiration: 09/30/2028 Age Range: Special Repr: Orange County Resident-At-Large Number of Terms: Mr. Patrick Murphy 11 First Appointed: 11/06/2025 Gender Identity: Choose not to disclo Township: Cheeks Current Appointment: 11/06/2025 Ethnic Background: White Residency Req: Expiration: 09/30/2028 Age Range: 60+ Special Repr: Orange County Resident-At-Large Number of Terms: 1 Ms. Terri Buckner 12 First Appointed: 02/02/2021 Gender Identity: Female Township: Chapel Hill Current Appointment: 10/07/2025 Ethnic Background: White Residency Req: Expiration: 09/30/2028 Age Range: 60+ Special Repr: Orange County Resident-At-Large Number of Terms: Friday,May 15,2026 Page 2 16 Applicant Interest Listing by Board Name and by Applicant Name Orange County Broadband Task Force Contact Person: Robert Reynolds,Chief Informat Contact Phone: 919-245-2276 Mr. Matthew Clements Gender Identity: Male Date Applied: 10/22/2025 Ethnic Background: White Township: Chapel Hill Age Range: 35-59 Zone of Residence: Carrboro City Limits Also Serves On: Vladimir Colina Gender Identity: Male Date Applied: 10/24/2025 Ethnic Background: Hispanic Township: Chapel Hill Age Range: 35-59 Zone of Residence: C.H.City Limits Also Serves On: Parks and Recreation Council Mr. Arthur Hayden Gender Identity: Other Date Applied: 10/10/2025 Ethnic Background: White Township: Hillsborough Age Range: 60+ Zone of Residence: Hillsborough Town Limits Also Serves On: Roy Schonberg Gender Identity: Male Date Applied: 10/13/2025 Ethnic Background: White Township: Chapel Hill Age Range: 60+ Zone of Residence: County Also Serves On: Orange Unified Transportation Board David Wright Gender Identity: Male Date Applied: 10/21/2025 Ethnic Background: White Township: Bingham Age Range: 60+ Zone of Residence: County Also Serves On: Tuesday,May 19,2026 Page 1 of 1