From left: Jonathan Adelstein, President and CEO, WIA; Brendan Carr, Commissioner, FCC; Susan Johnson, EVP of Global Connections & Supply Chain, AT&T; David Weisman, CEO, InSite Wireless Group, LLC and Chairman of WIA Board of Directors; Leticia Latino-van Splunteren, CEO, Neptuno
The second annual WIA Awards generated over $400,000 for wireless workforce education and training initiatives. The awards honored champions of the wireless workforce by celebrating members of Congress, the FCC, and industry who have made major contributions to develop the wireless workforce needed to build America’s 5G wireless networks. The event was held last night at the Conrad Hotel in Washington, DC.
Receiving the Wireless Workforce Champion award were Brendan Carr, FCC Commissioner; Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Calif.); and Congressman Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.). Receiving the Distinguished Service Award was Susan Johnson, EVP of Global Connections & Supply Chain, AT&T.
“5G will transform virtually every industry in the country and drive massive economic growth – in fact, a half a trillion a year in economic activity,” said WIA President and CEO Jonathan Adelstein as he opened the ceremony. “That means the whole country is depending on us – the people and companies represented here tonight – to get this done, get it done right, and get it done fast. If we don’t have the workforce trained with the skills we need, we can’t win the global race to lead in 5G.”
The annual event, hosted by the WIA Foundation, benefits wireless education, training, and apprenticeships, such as the Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program (TIRAP) and the Telecommunications Education Center. Prior to the ceremony, WIA also offered a 5G Outlook and Technologies Course through the Telecommunications Education Center (TEC).