SBCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPROVES 2004 INITIATIVES
Strengthens Association With Plan to Build on Legislative, Regulatory Focus;
Continue Successful Industry Events; and, Expand NSTP & Education Programs

NEW YORK, October 30, 2003 – The Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association’s Board of Directors met yesterday to approve initiatives for 2004 that will help shape the direction of the Association and enable it to more effectively represent the growing satellite services industry.

Led by SBCA’s Chairman Eddy Hartenstein, chairman and CEO of DIRECTV, Inc., the Board took several important steps to support and strengthen SBCA’s initiatives and presence in Washington. As a result, in the coming year SBCA will sharpen its focus on providing industry support for government relations, communications, and member services.  

Among the Association’s initiatives for 2004: build upon its existing presence on Capitol Hill and at the FCC, through the addition of experienced leadership and staff; expand membership to assure representation of the entire industry; continue the SkyFORUM series in New York to bring the latest industry news, trends and issues to Wall Street; build upon the success of the first SBCA Retailer Rally; which brought installers and retailers to Washington to raise awareness of industry issues on Capitol Hill; and expand the National Standards and Testing Program (NSTP) and all other education curriculum offered by the SBCA.

“These steps and the continuing support of the Association by its members will assure that the SBCA will continue to serve our industry in Washington and provide a forum for business issues across the industry,” Hartenstein said.

The Board also heard from representatives of SBCA’s affiliated organizations: Curtis Symonds, president of the T. Howard Foundation, and Richard Dalbello of the Satellite Industry Association. Both briefed those present on their successes in 2003 and their plans for 2004.

In a final matter of business, Buddy Davis, president of Davis Antenna in Waldorf, MD, was elected to serve as vice chair/retailer on the SBCA’s Board of Directors, replacing Rik Hawkins of Starpath Communications in Elizabethtown, KY, who is retiring from the Board.

Hartenstein’s term as Chairman of the SBCA Board will expire December 31, 2003, after two years of service. He will assume the position of Past Chairman of the Board for 2004. All remaining elections to the Board will be completed within the coming month. 

The Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association is the national trade organization representing all segments of the satellite industry.  It is committed to expanding the utilization of satellite technology for the broadcast delivery of video, audio, data, music, voice, interactive, and broadband services.  The SBCA is composed of DBS, C-band, broadband, satellite radio, and other satellite service providers, content providers, equipment manufacturers, distributors, retailers, encryption vendors, and national and regional distribution companies that make up the satellite services industry. SBCA oversees the industry’s National Standards and Testing Program (NSTP), a self-regulating training and testing curriculum for installation professionals. Additional information can be found at www.sbca.com.