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The Texas Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisers is a professional non-profit association dedicated to educating and training its membership in the development, regulation, and administration of cable television, internal communications networks, and other telecommunications systems in order to more efficiently serve the local government organization and the general public.

Board Members

David McElroy

President

TVSA Manager, City of San Antonio, TX

David McElroy is the TVSA Manager for the City of San Antonio where he oversees a staff of 12 in the award-winning programming of three PEG channels. David has a combined experience of nearly 15 years in video production and station management between the cities of San Antonio and Denton. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Radio, Television and Film from the University of North Texas and a Master’s degree in Emerging Media and Communication from the University of Texas at Dallas.

Robert Sam

Secretary

City of Universal City, TX

With over a decade of experience in video production and graphic design, Robert Sam brings creativity and technical expertise to TATOA as Secretary. In this role, he manages email communications, oversees the agenda, and ensures members stay informed on key events, industry news, and initiatives like the annual TATOA conference.

Sam holds a degree in Communications with a concentration in Public Relations and Digital Communications, along with a minor in Business Administration, from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). Currently serving as the Multimedia Producer for Universal City’s Communication Department, he specializes in video production, motion graphics, and digital storytelling. Holding multiple industry certifications—including Adobe Creative Suite, DaVinci Resolve, and Biamp—he is passionate about elevating government and community media.

Beyond media production, Sam is also a professional dancer with over 20 years of experience, blending artistic vision with technical precision in all aspects of his work. Dedicated to supporting local government media professionals, he strives to enhance the role of telecommunications in public service.

Nick Fehrenbach

Treasurer

Manager of Regulatory Affairs and Utility Franchising, City of Dallas, Tx

Nick Fehrenbach, with 26 years as Manager of Regulatory Affairs in Dallas, oversees non-city utilities and franchise matters. He engages in legislative and regulatory proceedings on behalf of the city. Adeptly educated, he holds degrees in economics, business, and an MBA from SMU and Tarleton State University.

YuShan Chang

Policy & Legal Representative

Senior Assistant City Attorney, City of Houston, TX

YuShan Chang is a Senior Assistant City Attorney with the City of Houston, where she provides counsel and legal assistance to various City departments and offices on issues related to telecommunication, public utility regulation, energy, and public right-of-way. She has represented the City before the state Public Utility Commission, state Railroad Commission, and Federal Communications Commission. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin (business management information systems and history) and Tulane Law School.

Tim Randall

Programming Representative

City of Bedford, TX

Tim Randall is a video producer for the City of Bedford, where he creates video content for the city’s PEG channel, social media, and public events in collaboration with the Communications team. His career began as a corporate graphic designer and photographer for Dillard’s before transitioning into education, where he taught at Career and Technology Centers in Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD and Denton ISD. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and pursued studies in Education at the University of North Texas.

Grant Bowling

Programming Representative

City of Kyle, TX

Grant Bowling is the City of Kyle’s Film and Audio Production Manager where he oversees Kyle’s PEG station, broadcasts city meetings, and creates promotional event content for the pie capital of Texas. Before a career in government communications, Grant had a background in indie film production, commercial production for a large Christian themed amusement park, and live production at ESPN. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Electronic Media and Broadcast from Northern Kentucky University. Leveraging his expertise in media and broadcasting, Grant is dedicated to closing the communication divide between the government and the community.

Robert Sheikh

Member Representative

City of Irving, TX

Robert Shiekh is a Producer and Anchor with the City of Irving Communications Department. With more than 25 years of experience in television and video production, he has worked in a wide variety of roles both in front of and behind the camera. Robert began his career as a sportscaster in local news before transitioning into corporate video production. In 2021, he moved to municipal government, where he continues to craft compelling stories for the community. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin.

Christopher Shepherd

Member Representative

City of Temple, TX

In 2004 I got my hands on my first video camera, and it was like discovering my voice. This tool was the medium I could use to show the world the way I see it, get my own questions answered, and most importantly, give a room shivers.

Since then I’ve been infatuated with the art and details of storytelling with photography and videos. In 2010, I filmed my first documentary project in Bagram Afghanistan. I witnessed things that changed me, and pointed a camera at most of it. This film kicked off a career in commercial film and I built a team and a studio in Houston Texas called “Petro” which was acquired in 2021. Shortly after I watched a documentary that I produced and co-directed, called “Three Seconds Later”, play at the Austin Film Festival. I’m now the Multimedia Specialist for the City of Temple’s marketing team, where we are making waves and winning awards.

My passion lies with small teams creating big stuff. I love to help young people succeed in this craft and I hope my role here with TATOA will encourage more filmmakers and artists to consider a career in government, and for the state of Texas to be showcased by artists and inspire people to Discover Temple, and Texas.

By Laws

Article 1. Name

The formal name of the organization shall be the Texas Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors hereinafter referred to as “TATOA.”

Article 2. Mission Statement

The mission of TATOA is to support, inform and serve the telecommunications interests and needs of governments. We are a professional association made up individuals and organizations responsible for, or advising those responsible for, telecommunications policies, services and video programming in local governments throughout Texas.

Article 3. Purpose

The Texas Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors is a professional organization of individuals and organizations serving citizens in the development and administration of telecommunications systems.

The purposes of this organization are:

To establish and administer a system for the sharing of information about telecommunications issues and activities that impact our membership.

To enhance the capacity of members to deal with internet and telecommunications issues.

To help improve the administration of telecommunications systems and local government.

To provide technical assistance to the membership.

To provide a forum for open and balanced discussion and debate of communications issues.

To communicate with other professional organizations for the overall improvement of communications services available to the public.

To perform an active role in the monitoring and education of telecommunications policy at the State and Federal level.

To provide a forum for dynamic and diverse programming.

To provide a platform for the development and supports of access programmers and to encourage a professional environment.

10.

To provide other services as may be determined by the membership.

Article 4. Membership

SECTION I. Categories.

There shall be five categories of membership:

Individual: Open to any individual who is elected, appointed, employed , or retained by a municipal, county, or state government, or by a regional authority engaged in the regulation, administration, or planning of cable and/or telecommunications system or programming for government or education access channels. Individual memberships shall continue for the length of the current period regardless of changes in employment that may affect membership eligibility, unless the individual member takes employment with a cable television company or other private telecommunications provider, in which case the individual shall be considered an Associate Member for the remainder of the year.

Agency: Open to any municipality, county, state, or regional authority, or a board, commission, or consortium sanctioned by a government authority engaged in the regulation, administration, or planning of cable and/or telecommunications systems or programming for government or education access channels. Agency membership entitles the member Agency to designate a primary member plus five additional members. The primary member shall be the designated spokesperson for the Agency and as such shall be the voting member on all issues that require votes. Each Agency shall submit a proxy statement in the event the designated member is unable to be present at a voting session.

Associate: Open to any individual from a non-profit or for-profit organization involved in the planning, development, programming, provision, or research of cable and other telecommunications systems who does not qualify for Individual or Agency membership. This category shall include individuals employed by or affiliated with telecommunications companies, telecommunication vendors, or public access organizations.

Student/Intern: Open to any high school or college student and any individual participating in an internship with a government or educational access channel developing video or multimedia programming.

Life: Open to individuals nominated by the Board of Directors, upon approval by the full membership at a general meeting. Nominations shall also be accepted from the floor. Candidates for Life Membership shall be individuals who are currently, or have been, full members of TATOA and who have made significant contributions toward furthering the goals of TATOA.

Honorary: The TATOA Board of Directors shall have the authority to extend an Honorary Membership to individuals for special contributions to furthering the goals of TATOA.

Article 5. Financial

SECTION I. Fiscal Year

The Fiscal Year for TATOA shall commence on October 1 and end on September 30.

SECTION II. Expenditures

All expenditures of TATOA shall be in compliance with the purposes, as described in Article 2 herein. The Board of Directors shall regularly review the expenditures to ensure such compliance.

SECTION III. Membership Dues

Membership dues are payable annually for a period coinciding with the fiscal year of TATOA. The levels of membership dues shall be set and may be changed at an annual meeting by a vote of the membership. The annual dues schedule, as approved by the membership, shall be attached to all copies of these by-laws. The dues for TATOA membership categories shall not exceed dues for similar categories in the national organization NATOA.

All proposals to change membership dues must be approved by a majority of the voting members in order to be effective. Prior notice of not less than fourteen (14) days shall be given of any election affecting membership dues.

Article 6. Governance

SECTION I. Board of Directors

The governance of TATOA shall be by majority vote of the Board of Directors, elected by the membership as provided in Section II. The Board of Directors shall be composed of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, two Member Representatives, two Government Access Programming Representatives, and one Policy & Legal Representative. All Directors shall be full voting members.

The most recent former President, while still qualified for membership in TATOA and not employed by a for-profit telecommunications provider, shall be considered an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors and shall be eligible to serve on any standing or special and/or ad hoc committees in accordance with the provisions of Article 7 herein. However, the ex officio Board Member shall be non-voting.

SECTION II. Election

Board members shall be elected by a majority of the voting members by electronic ballot in January of every other year.

SECTION III. Terms

All Board Members shall serve for two (2) year terms, unless sooner removed or vacated.

SECTION IV. Removal

Whenever a majority of the Board of Directors determines that the best interests of TATOA would be served by the removal of a Board Member, the Board of Directors shall call an election of the full TATOA membership on the issue of whether the Board Member should be removed. If two-thirds of the full membership votes in favor of removal, the Board Member shall immediately vacate his/her office.

SECTION V. Vacancies

A vacancy in any position on the Board of Directors because of death, resignation, removal, or otherwise, may be filled by the Board for the unexpired portion of the term.

SECTION VI. Duties and Responsibilities of Board Members

President - The President shall be the principal executive officer of TATOA, and shall preside at all meetings of the Board and the membership. The President shall be an Individual, Agency, or Life Member. Associate and Student/Intern members are ineligible to serve as President. The President shall have primary responsibility for external relationships and serve as chief spokesperson of TATOA.

Vice-President - The Vice President shall have primary responsibility for coordinating the internal activities of TATOA. The Vice President shall serve in the absence of the President.

Secretary -The Secretary shall keep the minutes of meetings, see that notices are given according to the By-Laws, and be custodian of the official records of TATOA. The Secretary shall promote the association and its goals through social media, web-based interfaces, electronic messaging, and any other appropriate means of communication.

Treasurer - The Treasurer shall oversee the financial record-keeping and reporting, and shall provide regular reports to the Board of Directors and annual financial reports to the membership.

Member Representatives - In order to ensure diversity of member representation, Member Representatives shall assist in membership recruitment and communications. The two Member Representatives shall divide responsibilities according to the annual budget amount of an organization, divided between large and small budget. The Board will establish the annual budget threshold as necessary from time to time. Member Representatives shall also assist TATOA members in a wide variety of PEG programming matters and other government access channel issues.. To be eligible for this position, the member must be currently serving as a staff member of a government access channel.

Government Access Programming Representatives - The Programming Representatives are responsible for the annual TATOA Government Programming Awards Video Contest and corresponding awards show, as well as scheduling the programming block of sessions for the annual TATOA conference. Duties shall include coordinating award entry submission, judging, placing award order, creating the awards presentation and scheduling an emcee, and determining topics and presenters for conference sessions related to programming. To be eligible for this position, the member must be currently serving as a staff member of a government access channel.

Policy & Legal Representative - The Policy & Legal Representative shall provide the organization leadership on policy and legal matters that affect local governments in areas related to telecommunications, cable television, municipal access channel administration, information technology, franchising, fees and taxes, right-of-way management, legislative analysis, and other relevant areas, as appropriate. This Representative will be responsible for educating the Board of Directors on policy and legal issues. To be eligible for this position, the member must be a staff attorney, manager, analyst, or administrator for a local government, or a private attorney representing local governments.

SECTION VII. Meetings

The Board of Directors shall meet, in person and/or by telephone conference prior to any regular meeting of TATOA. The President may call a Board Meeting at any other time to transact regular or special business.

Article 7. Committees

SECTION I. Designation of Committees

The Board of Directors may establish committees from time to time. The Board of Directors shall appoint the members and chairs of such committees for such terms as they may deem appropriate.

SECTION II. Standing Committees.

The Legislative, Membership, Publications, Conference, Creative Development, and Interactive Media Committees are hereby designated as standing committees.

Article 8. Amendment of By-Laws

SECTION I.

These By-Laws may be amended by the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the voting members if by ballot, or two-thirds (2/3) of the voting members in attendance at Regular or Special Meetings of TATOA. Reasonable notice of all amendments shall be provided to the Membership prior to consideration of such amendments.

SECTION II.

The Board of Directors shall establish procedures for the notification, voting method, and tabulation of all proposed amendments to the By-Laws.

TATOA is made up primarily of four groups

TATOA provides educational resources, hosts an annual conference, and is home to a network of telecom professionals. Are you looking for how you can get involved? There are a number of ways!

Government Television Programmers

Municipal, county, school district or other governmental television station personnel responsible for operating PEG channels.

Information Technology Professionals

Technology experts responsible for implementing internal telecommunications and data networks for local governmental entities.

Regulators

Government officers and staff who administer, implement and advise governing bodies regarding telecommunications policy and law.

Attorneys

Legal advisers who interpret telecommunications policy, laws, and regulations; negotiate contracts; and represent local governments before state and federal regulatory bodies.

The Texas Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (TATOA), is the Texas Chapter of the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) www.natoa.org.