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SBCA Staff

Executive Office

Position Name Contact Information
Executive Director Joseph Widoff Tel: 202-349-3656

Joseph Widoff has spent over thirty years in television and radio broadcasting, technology and education. In addition to serving in senior leadership positions at two public broadcasting stations, he worked at the Advanced Television Test Center, the facility which tested digital transmission systems for the FCC that ultimately resulted in the approved standard due to be completed by February 17, 2009. Mr. Widoff has also been a leader in the use of new media in the delivery of educational and instructional materials to teachers and students.

Mr. Widoff has a graduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an undergraduate degree from Clark University. He was elected as a “DTV Pioneer” by the Consumer Electronics Associations and has been recognized by both NTIA and PBS for his leadership in the digital television conversion.


Education & Training

Position Name Contact Information
VP Education & Training Steven Hill Tel: 202-349-3620

20 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry, including retail management sales, distribution and customer relations. Mr. Hill has over 10 years experience in the satellite industry starting with Pegasus Communications a 3rd party reseller of DIRECTV. During his tenure at Pegasus, Steve held a variety of roles within the organization. From 2001-2004 Mr. Hill was the Director of Installation and Quality Assurance for Pegasus, in this role he was responsible for the development and implementation of numerous initiatives designed to reduce service costs and improve customer experience throughout the installation and service network.

Prior to joining the SBCA staff in 2004, Steve served on a number of the association’s working groups. He resides in Rhode Island with his wife and 2 children.


Position Name Contact Information
Education Manager Benjamin Rowan Tel: 202-349-3643

Mr. Benjamin Rowan handles inquiries regarding OTARD issues. He is also responsible for carrying out the Education Department’s daily operational tasks. His responsibilities include managing the licensing database, grading tests, and fulfilling test orders. Mr. Rowan has been with the SBCA for one year. Prior to joining the SBCA, he worked in the real estate and healthcare industries while attending school.

Mr. Rowan received a B.A. in International Affairs from Florida State University and a M.A. in Political Science from George Washington University.

He resides in Northern Virginia


Membership & ECTR

Position Name Contact Information
Manager Membership & Data Management Martin Esteves Tel: 202-349-3630

Martin Esteves has been with the Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association since June, 2002. Mr. Esteves currently serves as Manager of Membership and Data Management at the SBCA in Washington DC. Mr. Esteves is responsible for fulfilling the Effective Competition & Tracking Reports and for managing and processing SBCA membership.

Prior to joining the SBCA Mr. Esteves was a graduate of James Madison University where he received his BBA in Marketing. Mr. Esteves currently resides in Arlington, Virginia


Finance & Administration

Position Name Contact Information
Sr. Director Finance and HR Abdul Salam Tel: 202-349-3634

Abdul Salam is the Sr. Director of Finance and Human Resources with SBCA. In this position, he is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the finance and human resources department.

Abdul has been working in non-profit finance administration for 9 years. Prior to joining SBCA, he was an accountant in the finance division of the American Society of Travel Agents.

A graduate of George Mason University, Abdul is currently preparing for the Certified Public Accountant’s exam.

Abdul resides in Woodbridge, VA with his wife and three children.


Position Name Contact Information
Office Manager Paulette Thomas Tel: 202-349-3623

Paulette Y. Thomas is the Office Manager for the Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association. She has been with the SBCA for over 3 years. Before moving to her current position, Paulette worked with the SBCA’s education and accounting departments.

As office manager, Paulette is responsible for the general administration of the office, scheduling interoffice programs/meeting and interfacing with many of the organizations vendors. She is also responsible for the SBCA interoffice communications.

Paulette received her B.S. in Business Administration from Almeda University in Boise, Ohio. Paulette lives in Baltimore, Maryland


Regulatory Affairs

Position Name Contact Information
Director Public Policy and Outreach Lisa Volpe McCabe Tel: 202-349-3640

Lisa Volpe McCabe has over 17 years of experience in telecommunications policy and government relations. Ms. McCabe’s work has focused on Federal Communications Commission regulatory issues at several Washington law firms, covering federal and state regulatory affairs at AT&T Wireless, managing state legislative and regulatory affairs at Nextel Communications and most recently, supervising state legislative affairs for the Northeast region as Director of Government Affairs at Sprint Nextel Communications.

Ms. McCabe has a graduate degree in telecommunications from George Washington University and an undergraduate degree from Kenyon College. She resides in Bethesda, Maryland with her husband and daughter.


Information Systems

Position Name Contact Information
Sr. Director Information Systems Shahzad Haider Tel: 202-349-3633

Shahzad Haider serves as the Sr. Director Information Systems for the Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association (SBCA). Mr. Haider brings in over 8 years of experience in the field of IT. Mr. Haider has a bachelor degree in Computer Science. In addition to the degree Mr. Haider has number of IT certifications including Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) & Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP). Currently Mr. Haider is pursuing a Masters degree in Information Systems Management from University of Maryland

Mr. Haider joined SBCA in January 2004 and since then is managing all aspects of IT related tasks at SBCA, which includes managing websites, online training and certification programs, development of new tools, database and network management, user support and more.