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Dr. Gerald W. Poplin, of Albemarle, was recently re-appointed to a third term on the NC Information Technology Strategy Board (effective Jan. 1, 2023) by North Carolina Speaker of the House, Tim Moore.

Established in 2019 by the N.C. General Assembly, the Information Technology Strategy Board plays a role in defining and planning North Carolina’s enterprise IT technology projects, advising on the prioritization of those projects and identifying areas where funding adjustments might be needed.

The state chief information officer, James A. Weaver, serves as chair of the 12-person board, which also includes six North Carolina citizens — with backgrounds and familiarity with business system technology, information systems, or telecommunications — who are appointed by the governor and leadership of the N.C. General Assembly.

Other members include the state budget officer, president of the University of North Carolina, president of the N.C. Community College System, and secretary of administration. The state auditor also serves on the board as a non-voting member.

Poplin’s primary focus is on rural broadband development.

“The pandemic made it abundantly clear that rural areas of North Carolina are largely unserved or under-served by big incumbent ISPs,” Poplin said. “Internet service is not a luxury… it’s a basic element for economic development. More and better solutions are required as students receive online instruction at home, their parents perform job tasks from home, and elderly residents, most susceptible to the virus, utilize telemedicine as a means of avoiding infection.”