USA - International Institute of Communications

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Jacquelynn Ruff Digital ICT Policy Expert; Board Director, International Institute of Communications

Jacquelynn (Jackie) Ruff has more than 25 years of experience in global law and public policy around policy frameworks for digital services, Internet governance, digital trade, expansion of broadband connectivity, and women and technology.

Previously, Ms Ruff was a consulting counsel at the law firm of Wiley Rein where she provided legal, regulatory and public policy guidance on international issues impacting telecom, media, and technology industries.

Ms Ruff was also Vice President of International Government Relations and Policy at Verizon Communications. Her responsibilities included leading work in international organisations such as the UN International Telecommunication Union, the OECD, ICANN, and the Internet Governance Forum, and regional organisations CITEL and APEC.

She also represented Verizon on federal advisory committees to the US Department of State, the US Trade Representative, and the US Department of Commerce. Ms Ruff was a board member of the US Telecom Training Institute and co-chair of the Digital Trade group of the US Council for International Business, and she participated in the Policy and Spectrum Groups of the GSM Association. She is currently a Director of the International Institute of Communications. She is also a professorial lecturer at the George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs.

Ms Ruff joined Verizon in 2004 from the International Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), where she was Associate Chief and Chief of Staff for the Bureau. Previously she practiced with the communications and Latin America groups of an international law firm and served as staff for a US Senate Committee.

She has a BA from Radcliffe College/Harvard University, MA from Harvard University, and JD from the Georgetown University Law Center.

Evelyn L Remaley Partner, Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP

Evelyn Remaley has been a recognized leader in the government and private sector – spearheading efforts on broadband funding, cybersecurity and spectrum management. Evelyn provides strategy, program management, and the ability to communicate complex subjects to her clients. She has a unique perspective that can help communications and technology companies meet evolving legal and regulatory challenges.

Evelyn most recently served as Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and Acting Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. At NTIA, Evelyn led a team of experts providing senior policy guidance to the Secretary of Commerce and the White House on government priorities, including broadband funding to close the digital divide, supply chain risk management, privacy, the free flow of information, encryption, spectrum, and the Internet of things. As a leader in government, she helped to advance access to innovative communications services and enhance trust and safety in the digital economy.

Prior to her work within the federal government, she led a Cybersecurity and Internet Policy Team at Booz Allen Hamilton in McLean, VA. Ms. Remaley also worked for a leading Internet service provider in its Internet Privacy and Security Federal Practice and spent time deploying the Internet across communities through her work with public libraries.

Evelyn, her husband and three children love travel, nature and adventure. During her downtime (if not at a baseball, lacrosse or crew meet!) you are likely to find her hiking, biking, or planning their next national park or world adventure.

Matthew Gerst Partner, Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP

Matt Gerst offers practical and effective solutions to communications and
technology companies facing unique and complex legal and regulatory
challenges. Throughout his career, Matt has helped these companies to enable
and expand communications services and internet access, to advance
innovation and opportunity, and to enhance trust, safety, and security in the
communications ecosystem.

Prior to joining WBK, Matt had a front-row seat to the smartphone revolution
and advocated for policies that helped the wireless industry deliver on the
promises of 4G and 5G as Vice President of Regulatory Affairs for CTIA. Most
recently, he developed consensus-driven policy positions and advocated
before the U.S. government on a variety of issues for internet and technology
companies. Matt has served in leadership roles on several of the Federal
Communications Commission’s advisory committees, as well as the Universal
Service Administrative Company’s Board of Directors.

Phillip Marchesiello IT Partner, Management Committee Member, Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP

Mr Marchesiello develops practical solutions to challenging business and legal issues raised by FCC and state public utility commission rules and policies. His combination of transactional, policy, and compliance experience across the media, telecommunications, and technology sectors enables Phil to understand and effectively navigate the regulatory and commercial environments that shape his clients’ businesses objectives.

Often working closely with his clients’ in-house and outside corporate teams, Phil helps negotiate enterprise-level information technology and telecommunications agreements, as well as infrastructure deployment contracts, including right-of-way access and pole attachment agreements for small cells and 5G infrastructure; structuring transactions to comply with
applicable regulatory requirements. He also manages the FCC and PUC regulatory approval processes for transactions. He believes in a collaborative approach to negotiations that provides his clients with as much legal and business-side protection as possible while still getting to “yes.”

Mr Marchesiello also represents communications companies before the FCC in policy advocacy, licensing, and compliance matters, including clients in the equipment manufacturing, Telecommunications Relay Services, inmate calling services, high-speed communications links, submarine cable deployment and licensing, and Mobile Satellite Service sectors.

The Chapters play a vital role for the IIC, they are an extension of the IIC (and its mission) and provide an important function with the engagement of members by offering a domestic programme of meetings and events.

The Chapter programme allows for discussion about local or regional insights, issues, distinctions to global challenges and international comparatives.

For further information or how to get involved please contact Enquiries at enquiries@iicom.org

Latest from USA

Publication

IIC USA Chapter – The rise and growth of streaming video services around the world – October 2024 30.10.2024

Past Events from USA

View All

22nd May 2025

IIC USA Chapter – Submarine Cables: Security, Resiliency, Investment and Innovation to Support Global Connectivity Location: Washington DC, USA

16th October 2024

IIC USA Chapter – The rise and growth of streaming video services around the world Location: Washington DC, USA

2nd May 2024

IIC USA Chapter – International Spam and Scam Communications Forum Location: Washington DC, USA

Chapter Meetings

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