Justin Augustine is the Chief Executive Officer of the Regional Transit Authority in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is responsible for the vision and creation of the Loyola Avenue streetcar expansion...
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- About the White House
The best ideas come from the American people. Everyone has a story to tell, everyone has a part to play. Together as Americans, we do big things.
All across the country, ordinary Americans are doing extraordinary things in their communities to out-innovate, out-educate and out-build the rest of the world. Every week we will invite these Champions of Change to the White House to share their ideas to win the future.
Champions of Change: Innovators in Infrastructure
On Wednesday, February 15th, 11 local leaders were honored at the White House as Champions of Change for creating jobs in their communities and using innovative techniques to develop valuable projects helping to improve America’s infrastructure. With the assistance of grants and loans from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, these leaders are helping to expand high-speed broadband, building roads and bridges, providing clean water and much more. You can watch the event in full here
Amber M. Benson led the Broadband Incentives Program high-speed mobile broadband upgrade project for West Virginia PCS Alliance LC and nTelos Wireless. From application to implementation and...
Paulson Chaco is the Director of the Navajo Division of Transportation occupying a cabinet level position to the President of the Navajo Nation. He is a member of the Navajo Nation and is assigned...
Dr. Jana Davis is the Associate Executive Director and Chief Scientist of the Chesapeake Bay Trust. She oversees the Trust’s portfolio of grant programs focusing on watershed restoration,...
Joe Freddoso became President and CEO of MCNC on July 1, 2007. Prior to joining MCNC, Freddoso spent 7 years with Cisco Systems, Inc. and 15 years as an organizer of Olympic style events around...
Philip Guerin has worked for the City of Worcester, MA for the past 28 years and is currently Director of Environmental Systems for the Department of Public Works and Parks. His duties include...
Janelle Jessen is the Accounting and Office Manager for Venture Communications Cooperative in Highmore, South Dakota. For the past 15 years, Janelle has been integral to the growth and expansion...
From 1966 until 1978 Dave Norris served as Associate Professor of Economics at University of Louisiana at Monroe. In 1978, he was elected Mayor of the City of West Monroe, LA, and continues to...
Henry Perahia is the Chief Bridge Officer of the New York City Department of Transportation, a position he has held since 1999. He is responsible for the planning and administration of all aspects...
Sam E. Swan is the Project Manager for the DFW Connector Project and is responsible for overseeing and managing procurement, design and construction. At $260 million, the DFW Connector represents...
Donald J. Welch, Ph.D. is the President and CEO of Merit Network, Inc. Merit Network Inc., a non-profit corporation governed by Michigan's public universities, owns and operates America's longest...
Champions of Change: Innovators in Infrastructure
On Wednesday, February 15th, 11 local leaders were honored at the White House as Champions of Change for creating jobs in their communities and using innovative techniques to develop valuable projects helping to improve America’s infrastructure. With the assistance of grants and loans from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, these leaders are helping to expand high-speed broadband, building roads and bridges, providing clean water and much more. You can watch the event in full here
Justin Augustine is the Chief Executive Officer of the Regional Transit Authority in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is responsible for the vision and creation of the Loyola Avenue streetcar expansion...
Amber M. Benson led the Broadband Incentives Program high-speed mobile broadband upgrade project for West Virginia PCS Alliance LC and nTelos Wireless. From application to implementation and...
Paulson Chaco is the Director of the Navajo Division of Transportation occupying a cabinet level position to the President of the Navajo Nation. He is a member of the Navajo Nation and is assigned...
Dr. Jana Davis is the Associate Executive Director and Chief Scientist of the Chesapeake Bay Trust. She oversees the Trust’s portfolio of grant programs focusing on watershed restoration,...
Joe Freddoso became President and CEO of MCNC on July 1, 2007. Prior to joining MCNC, Freddoso spent 7 years with Cisco Systems, Inc. and 15 years as an organizer of Olympic style events around...
Philip Guerin has worked for the City of Worcester, MA for the past 28 years and is currently Director of Environmental Systems for the Department of Public Works and Parks. His duties include...
Janelle Jessen is the Accounting and Office Manager for Venture Communications Cooperative in Highmore, South Dakota. For the past 15 years, Janelle has been integral to the growth and expansion...
From 1966 until 1978 Dave Norris served as Associate Professor of Economics at University of Louisiana at Monroe. In 1978, he was elected Mayor of the City of West Monroe, LA, and continues to...
Henry Perahia is the Chief Bridge Officer of the New York City Department of Transportation, a position he has held since 1999. He is responsible for the planning and administration of all aspects...
Sam E. Swan is the Project Manager for the DFW Connector Project and is responsible for overseeing and managing procurement, design and construction. At $260 million, the DFW Connector represents...
Donald J. Welch, Ph.D. is the President and CEO of Merit Network, Inc. Merit Network Inc., a non-profit corporation governed by Michigan's public universities, owns and operates America's longest...
Champions Blog Posts
- February 16, 2012 at 11:52 AM EST
Champions of Change are Rebuilding America
Secretary Ray LaHood celebrates the Champions of Change who are improving America's infrastructure through innovation
- February 15, 2012 at 1:30 PM EST
Connecting Rural Communities
As a manager for Venture Communications Cooperative in South Dakota, Janelle's goal is to connect unserved and underserved communities so that all Americans can be "connected to the global economy for job opportunities, commerce, healthcare, education and a myriad of other benefits."
- February 15, 2012 at 1:30 PM EST
Fiber Optic Networks: Powering the Next Wave of Education
Joe Freddeso and MCNC empower North Carolina educational institutions by placing advanced networks and technologies within their grasps.
- February 15, 2012 at 1:30 PM EST
Solving the Aquifer Dilemma: Turning Waste into Water
Mayor Dave Norris aptly turns waste into water, helping to sustain a Louisiana city.
