John Lawson Email & Phone Number

Washington, Dc, Us

Alexandria, Virginia, Us

The Advanced Warning and Response Network (AWARN) Alliance is a cross-industry, international coalition formed to create the world’s most advanced emergency alerting system. AWARN is based on the Next Generation Television transmission standard (ATSC 3.0), which the FCC has approved for voluntary use by broadcasters. When fully deployed, AWARN will enable delivery of geo-targeted, rich-media alerts to an unlimited number of enabled TVs, connected cars, and handheld devices across an entire television market.

Alexandria, Virginia, Us

Convergence Services, Inc., a strategic consulting firm that operates at the intersection of business, technology, and policy. Spectrum monetization and innovative services are major focus areas of the firm. On July 1, 2020, CSI began a strategic collaboration with the Public Media Venture Group, a joint venture of 31 of the nation's largest public television licensee, who collectively operate 118 stations that reach 70% of U.S. households. CSI will assist PMVG in development of business and service models to utilize Next Generation Televison. The goal is to deploy new and enhanced services that support the mission of public media while providing new revenue to support those services.Through CSI, President John Lawson also serves as Executive Director of the AWARN Alliance, a coalition of leading broadcasting and technology companies that is developing an advanced public alerting system for the U.S. On behalf of the Alliance, John was one of four signatories to the petition that led to the FCC’s recent Public Notice on the voluntary adoption of ATSC 3.0.

Us

Executive Vice President (2009 – 2010)Executive Vice President, Policy and Strategic Initiatives (2008 – 2009)Developed and drove policy strategy during restructuring / re-launch of then-largest television broadcast network (59 stations). Promoted to EVP to manage distribution relationships, and cable carriage agreements. Led rebranding and positioning of ION in Washington, DC. Supported CEO in successful Chapter 11 restructuring eliminating legacy debt; supported FCC license transfers to new ownership.Advocated new regulatory policies increasing minority ownership and distribution access. Pursued business related to digital technologies (HDTV, Mobile DTV). Gained expertise in cable carriage agreements and FCC compliance/regulatory issues. Positioned ION as private-sector leader during federally mandated transition from analog to digital television.

Arlington, Virginia, Us

As President and CEO, turned around, refocused, rebuilt and recharged organization, established new strategic direction and drove advocacy efforts. Developed and executed new mission and strategies that successfully rallied membership around new organizational objectives. Prioritized and orchestrated research, communications, grassroots and direct lobbying efforts to achieve legislative and regulatory goals. Full P&L control.Organizational Leadership - Defined clear goals, doubled non-dues revenue, delivered balanced budgets YOY and grew overall revenue. Re-focused internal resources on the core mission of advocacy. Organization named to list of “Best Trade Associations in the Nation to Work For” by CEO Update in 2007.Policy Advocacy - Persuaded GOP Congresses to increase overall federal funding for public broadcasting during program cuts. Organized and led grassroots and lobbying effort that secured 2-1 bipartisan victory on the House floor. Negotiated most extensive cable carriage agreement in the history of television broadcasting industry. Partnered with Department of Homeland Security. Testified before Senate and House Commerce and other committees. Obtained first-ever federal support for the American Archive. Created a Digital Rights Coalition. Secured favorable rulings from the FCC and federal courts.

Alexandria, Virginia, Us

Led start-up and managed ongoing operations that addressed market place failure in use of technology for education. Successfully repositioned public television and content creators as a solution to “a nation at risk” and need for educational reform. Advised clients on digital business strategies.Hired and developed team and managed entire client engagement cycle, from defining scope of work and negotiating fees, to providing services and producing deliverables.Originated concept; drove innovation and production of high quality media products that supported initiative. Built relationships with clients that included PBS, Westinghouse, Cisco Systems and Dr. Bob Ballard's JASON Foundation. Created and executed strategies that secured hundreds of million of dollars in federal funding for a range of education technology and content projects, including Ready to Learn programming on PBS.

Columbia, South Carolina, Us

Promoted our PBS, NPR, and local television and radio programming. Worked to reposition the network as an agent of state economic development. Helped reverse state budget cuts and won national awards for institutional promotion.

Worked with founders to lead organization dedicated to preventing importation of high-level nuclear waste into the state, improving safety of operations at the U.S. Department of Energy's Savannah River Plant, and promoting the use of renewable energy sources. Led successful grassroots campaign to deny federal subsidies for a commercial plutonium reprocessing plant that would have accelerated global nuclear proliferation and generated massive amounts of liquid nuclear waste. Worked with leading researchers and allies in Congress, and the plant was eventually decommissioned.

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), International Studies

Master Of Arts (M.A.), International Studies

Certificate Of Completion, Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management