MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Communications Director Deborah Guthrie is making sure the voices of local public, educational and governmental channels are being heard at the national level.

Guthrie has been elected to the Board of the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and
Advisors (NATOA), her term will run from October 2012 to October 2014.

In her new role as a NATOA National Board of Directors member, Guthrie will chair or co-chair working committee(s), assist with moderating webinars, attend planning sessions and annual meetings.

The Board of Directors serves as the chief policy maker for the Association and is responsible for
oversight of fiscal affairs.

“The fundamental element, and the reason I ran for the position, is that I want to make sure we’re able to
continue to provide programming and content to our residents,” Guthrie said.

As Michigan Chapter President, Guthrie’s term will further work to rally support and bring awareness to the Community Access and Preservation Act, which is legislation that would ensure the protection and preservation of channels providing public, educational and governmental (PEG) programming.

The National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors actively analyzes and addresses emerging issues in areas such as local government communications and internet policy; broadband planning best practices; cable franchising; wireless zoning; new technology initiatives and advancements; and operation of public, education and
government (PEG) access channels.