E-Rate Update - Fishman To Resign as CEO of SLC
Message Posted August 13, 1998
After weeks of speculation, Ira Fishman today announced that effective August 28, he will resign as the CEO of the Schools and Libraries Corporation. His resignation letter is included at the end of this message.
As you know, the FCC has proposed to combine the SLC and the Rural Health Care Corporation with USAC, the Universal Service Administrative Company, thus potentially eliminating the CEO position. Mr. Fishman declined to remain on staff after the reorganization in a similar capacity citing his desire to take some time off with his family and then look for another job.
Although this announcement may appear increase the instability of the E-rate program, I tend to think that applicants and service providers will see little impact. That is not to say that Mr. Fishman did not work long hours to get this program up and running -- he did. But he was the target of much public hostility towards the E-rate program, and the remaining staff is fully capable of seeing the program through the funding commitment, invoicing, and next application window stages. -- Julie
A LETTER FROM IRA FISHMAN
Dear School, Library, and Telecommunications Leader:
On August 28, I will leave my position as CEO of the Schools and Libraries Corporation. Over the past five years, I have committed myself to helping create and launch the E-rate as well as a number of other public policy initiatives. Unfortunately, I no longer can fulfill both this commitment and my commitments to my wife and children. For too long, I have asked them to take a back seat.
It has been tremendously rewarding both professionally and personally to work with you. Together, we have persevered through thick and thin in this great venture to bring technology to all of our nation's schools and libraries. You have been patient and willing to offer support, suggestions, constructive criticism, and assistance.
E-rate is one of the most challenging start-up operations one can imagine. Without your help, we would never have made it. I wish I could have done my job better so that you would have seen smoother, faster operations. But we have learned together, and I appreciate your teaching me.
As I leave, I can confidently tell you that virtually all of the pieces for this year and next year are in place. We still face challenges in finishing the processing of applications and in finalizing our computer systems. But together we have met every challenge to date, and we will meet these as well.
More importantly, I can tell you that the E-rate is being left in superior hands. Kate Moore, our Chief Operating Officer, will become Acting CEO. Over the past nine months, Kate has tackled all of the difficult operations issues and knows the E-rate inside-out. As the former Chief Financial Officer of the United Way of America, who arrived in the aftermath of its financial difficulties, she has the skills and vision to successfully carry out the E-rate mission. And, of course, Debra Kriete, Mickey Revenaugh, Tom Carroll, and their teams will continue to provide an unsurpassed level of support, service, and commitment. I know that all of you who have dealt with them share the firm conclusion that the SLC staff is an extraordinary group of people.
I will miss the E-rate, SLC, and you a great deal more than I can ever come close to expressing. I hope that we will stay in touch. It has been an honor to serve you.
Sincerely,
Ira Fishman
ifishma@slcfund.org
Julie L. Tritt
Executive Policy Specialist
Office of Educational Technology
Pennsylvania Department of Education
333 Market Street
10th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17126
Tel: (717) 787-5820
Fax: (717) 787-7222
00jtritt@psupen.psu.edu
www.state.pa.us
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