Monday, April 16, 2007

MIT alum to head Bay State's telecom unit

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick has appointed a telecommunications industry veteran to head the state's newly created Department of Telecommunications and Cable.

Sharon Gillett, as the new commissioner of the department, will oversee regulatory measures that include rate-setting and licensing.

Gillett most recently served as the executive director of the MIT Program on Internet and Telecom Convergence, according to administration officials. She also served on Boston Mayor Thomas Menino's Wireless Task Force, an ad hoc group created to determine how to establish a citywide wi-fi infrastructure.

Gillett's background also includes work as a consultant to the Electric Power Board of Chattanooga, Tenn.; the city of Burlington, Vt.; and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development in Paris. Her technology background also includes work at Cambridge-based BBN Technologies Inc. and Thinking Machines Corp., formerly of Waltham.

Gillett earned a master's degree in business administration from the Sloan School of Management at MIT. In addition she earned a master's degree in technology policy from MIT. Gillett also holds a bachelor's degree in physics from Harvard-Radcliffe College.

Established by the Patrick administration, the new department sits under the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development. Under the leadership of Secretary Daniel O'Connell, the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development oversees agencies including Business Development, Housing and Community Development and Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation.