After spending an afternoon interviewing the new president of Verizon’s southeast region, Michelle Robinson, I gained a greater appreciation of how broadband technology and wireless innovation in entertainment, commerce, education and healthcare have changed our existence. Most importantly, I recognize that these technological tools are especially vital for minorities as these tools and services can be utilized to overcome economic, environmental, educational, and social obstacles and disparities. Equally important, I believe that when leveraged properly, wireless and wireline broadband technology can positively impact the future of African Americans on an individual, family, and community level. As a wife and mother raising two young boys in Tampa, and Verizon’s new southeast region president, Michelle Robinson is committed to ensuring that all communities are full beneficiaries of Florida’s growing broadband infrastructure. Robinson recognizes the need for families, communities and businesses to take advanage of these new communications services, and products and is determined to do her part to ensure we can. Michelle Robinson utilized her intellect, experience, creativity, and leadership skills to rise through the ranks to become a key executive of Verizon, one of the top communications corporations in the nation. She began her career at Verizon as a public policy advocate in 1998 in Irving Texas. Since that time, her performance and dedication have led to promotions that have crisscrossed the nation including: manager-regulatory support, Irving Texas; director-regulatory policy, Tampa Florida; vice-president-regulatory policy, San Francisco California; and senior vice president southern region, in Alpharetta Georgia.

In these aforementioned positions, she was responsible for shaping and advancing public policy strategies for the communication giants’ landline, wireless and enterprise business segments. In her new position, Robinson brings her talent and skills to the helm of an organization which has over 11,000 employees in the state of Florida alone. She is excited about the transformative power of broadband and she confidently rises as a key leader in an advanced communications company at this extraordinary moment when broadband can have a profound impact on Florida’s economy, education, healthcare, and climate change.

In our interview, Robinson provided an example of the power of broadband in the area of education. Robinson stated that today, teachers can take advantage of valuable resources via broadband technology by accessing Verizon’s Thinkfinity.org. Using this free portal, PK-12 teachers across all disciplines can utilize ready-for-classroom lesson plans, games, and interactives developed by the nation’s best educational content organizations free of charge. And when teachers use the site they can breathe a sigh of relief because it is all standards based.

Specifically, Robinson is steadfast in expanding and promoting the utilization of broadband to allow for better access to care, patient empowerment, and improved quality of care. Broadband technology can help improve patient-doctor interaction in rural and some urban areas where health care facilities and practitioners are scarce. This is due to the fact that wireline and wireless broadband technology is increasingly available in all sorts of communities enabling doctors to monitor patient vital signs, conduct visual examinations and interview patients, even when they’re not in the same location.

Additionally, in lieu of relying on a patient’s own memory of his or her personal health history, electronic medical records (EMR) can give patients precise knowledge about their own medial history that is easily and securely shared with medical practitioners in both emergency and non-emergency situations. “Technology can vastly improve the quality, efficiency, and accessibility of health care information which promises enhanced services for all of Florida’s citizens,” affirmed Robinson.

Robinson is also energized by the ways in which broadband services can assist with Florida’s conservation efforts. Robinson commented that “Telecommuting can save on fuel costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and allow for more time to spend with our families. Online newspaper subscriptions and paying bills online can also reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These are just a few of the many ways that broadband can be utilized to help our environment.” “Verizon is leading by example in our commitment to Florida’s environment” stated Robinson. “I applaud Governor Charlie Crist’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gases in Florida and we are proud of our work in the area of climate change.” Recently, Verizon installed 140 solar panels at its central office building in Hillsborough County. The project is expected to reduce the building’s normal power consumption by 5.5 hours per day.

Verizon’s other initiatives include pursuing network equipment and building energy-reduction initiatives; utilizing alternative energy sources in the network, buildings, and fleet; developing a fleet of hybrid vans and service vehicles; and promoting the company’s technology as an alternative to travel. “I welcome any partnership opportunities to encourage other forms of renewable energy” said Robinson. Robinson emphasized that in the Tampa Bay Region, Verizon is transforming its network using state-of-the-art fiber technology to deliver the best in broadband directly to customer homes. This project, known as Verizon FiOS, is unique for two important reasons. First, no other communications company in Florida is transforming its network to bring the future of technology to customer homes. And, second, the Tampa Bay Region is the only area in Florida that now has this technology. According to Robinson, “Verizon’s fiber project is important because our customers now enjoy best-in-class products and services at competitive prices. It’s also important because, as a community, leaders in the Tampa Bay Region are beginning to understand how to leverage this unique technology to address some of the community’s difficult societal challenges such as health care, education, transportation, conservation and more.”

Robinson intends to work with communities, local and state government, and other businesses to facilitate improving the quality of life for all Floridians by providing support that goes beyond the products and services that her company offers. Robinson proudly stated that “our commitment goes beyond providing the very best in innovative products and service; we are committed to continue our relationship with the state of Florida as a good corporate citizen. We believe in investing in the communities we serve. “ In 2007, the Verizon Foundation contributed nearly $1.2 million to more than 100 nonprofit organizations in Florida to improve basic literacy skills, create new and diverse approaches to technology based learning and help domestic violence victims. Additionally, every year Verizon’s employees donate thousands of hours of personal time with non-profit organizations that support the communities we live and work in.

As we wrestle with today’s difficult challenges and we face these unpredictable times, we can rest assured in the guidance and direction that is provided by Robinson. As the southeast region president for Verizon, we believe that Robinson will make sure that minority communities are not left behind and are provided the opportunity to utilize the vast sea of communication tools and products for the betterment of all. Robinson currently resides in Tampa, Florida with her husband John and two children, John IV and Ethan.