Johnson entered the U.S. Air Force in 1973, and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after a distinguished military career of more than 26 years. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Troy University in Troy, Alabama in 1979, and he earned his Master’s Degree from Georgia Tech in 1984. During his tenure in the U.S. Air Force, Johnson was recognized as a Distinguished Graduate from the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, Squadron Officers School, and Air Command & Staff College. Bill is also a proud recipient of the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. As Director of the Air Force’s Chief Information Officer Staff at U.S. Special Operations Command, Johnson worked directly with senior congressional and Secretary of Defense representatives, as well as top leaders within the various U.S. intelligence communities, to ensure America’s Special Operations forces were adequately equipped to carry out critical national security missions.
As America competes in an ever-increasing digitized economy and prepares to continue leading in the economy of the future, rural broadband must be an integral component. It’s time we work together — at the federal, state, and local levels — to ensure: our children have the technology and tools they need at home to further their education; businesses have the high-speed internet connectivity they need to effectively compete, succeed, create jobs, and provide opportunities for the hardworking people that live here; patients have access to telemedicine; and, we all have the ability to take advantage of “being connected.”
As a member of the U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, I am leading the charge for a further rollout of broadband internet access in rural areas. Far too many rural communities have been left behind – we must bridge the urban-rural digital divide now. The Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) will provide $20.4 billion for rural broadband deployment. If implemented correctly, this fund could drastically reduce the digital divide and provide businesses and homes in rural America the connectivity necessary for today’s highly technical, information-driven, digital world, both at home and at work.
I’ve held broadband internet access roundtables across Eastern and Southeastern Ohio focused specifically on this issue, and it’s an issue I’ve been pushing for some time. I’m also pleased to have recently hosted events with Federal Communications Committee (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai in Marietta, Ohio and Commissioner Mike O’Rielly in Rayland, Ohio to give local community stakeholders an opportunity to share with them the challenges we here in Eastern and Southeastern Ohio face in broadband deployment. We will not be left behind anymore. There’s a wealth of intellectual capital here in rural Appalachia…and, America needs to start tapping into it.