Three years ago this week, President Obama signed into law our nation’s Recovery Act. Today, The White House recognized 11 community leaders from around the country who are engaged in Recovery Act funded projects to improve their communities and put Americans back to work. We are pleased that two leaders from our Quilt community who are focused on implementing Department of Commerce BTOP funded broadband infrastructure projects were included among those leaders honored today.

Joe Freddoso, President and CEO of MCNC, and Donald Welch, President and CEO of Merit Network Inc, were honored at the White House today as “Champions of Change”. Don, Joe and their respective organizations embody the spirit of the BTOP program through the deployment advanced fiber optic network infrastructure in their states to better serve community anchor institutions with improved broadband connectivity through the projects’ successful public/private partnerships. They have also been extraordinary ambassadors for our research and education networking community to those involved in the management of the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program.

Congratulations to Don and Joe on their well-deserved recognition at today’s White House ceremony.

To watch this event see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqTzjLTL_Ug