Public Knowledge Recognizes Matthew Rantanen
Public Knowledge announced this week that PCI Project Eagle Feather lead Matthew Rantanen will receive the 2020 Internet Protocol Award from Public Knowledge. Congratulations, Matt! Read the press release announcing the award here.
Matt was awarded the 2020 Internet Protocol Award alongside Geoffrey C. Blackwell. Blackwell is the Chief Strategy Officer and General Counsel for AMERIND and former founding Chief of the Federal Communications Commission’s Office of Native Affairs and Policy. In 2016, Blackwell advised AMERIND on establishing AMERIND Critical Infrastructure, which is entirely focused on closing the digital divide in Indian Country.
“Matthew Rantanen and Geoffrey Blackwell have steadfastly fought for broadband deployment and access on Tribal lands, most recently advocating to keep open the ‘Rural Tribal Priority Window,’ which provides Tribal Nations the ability to obtain spectrum licenses in the 2.5 GHz band at no-cost — crucial for expanding critically needed wireless services on Tribal lands,” said Chris Lewis, President and CEO of Public Knowledge.
Mei Lin Fung recognized the accomplishment this week, and Matt’s many contributions to PCI and its mission.
“The PCI Community cherishes leaders like Matt Rantanen who every day in every way, just focuses on getting things done, a model of being “people centered,” Fung said. “This award tells us more and more people are finding out about Matt and his good work. We are proud to say that Matt Rantanen leads Project Eagle Feather for PCI.”
Rantanen serves as the Director of Technology for the Southern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association and Director for the Tribal Digital Village Network Initiative, and Partnering and Business Development at Arcadian Infracom. Recently, he has advocated to extend the Tribal Priority Window for reliable broadband on Tribal Lands.
“The recognition is an honor, and this time more so, because I share it with my good friend, Geoffrey Blackwell,” Rantanen said. “The greatest benefit is bringing more focus to the work we do in Indian Country.”