Karen R. Jackson
Vice President
Broadband Programs

Applied Research Center
12050 Jefferson Avenue, Suite 247
Newport News, VA 23606
E-mail: karen@cit.org
Phone: (757) 249-0884
Fax: (757) 249-0738

As CIT's Vice President of Broadband Programs, Karen R. Jackson is responsible for supporting the efforts of both public and private entities within the Commonwealth to enhance or facilitate the deployment of, and access to competitively priced, advanced electronic communications services (commonly known as “broadband”).  Ms. Jackson also advocates for, and facilitates the development and deployment of applications, programs and services including, but not limited to: telework, telemedicine, and e-learning that will bolter the usage of and demand for broadband level telecommunications.

Ms. Jackson also serves as the Director of the Commonwealth’s Office of Telework Promotion and Broadband Assistance.  In this capacity, she responsible for promoting and encouraging telework alternatives in both the public and private sectors and advises the Secretary of Technology on broadband adoption, deployment and application issues and addresses policy and legislative initiatives as necessary to facilitate adoption.  Her office serves the broadband and telework information and applications clearinghouse for the Commonwealth and a coordination point for related services and programs in the Commonwealth.

Prior to her appointment as VP of Broadband Programs, Ms. Jackson served as CIT's Director of Broadband Outreach, where she focused on the development and deployment of educational programs to promote the use of electronic commerce and Internet technologies. Additionally, from 1995-1999 Ms. Jackson served as CIT's Regional Director in the Tidewater Region.

Ms. Jackson serves on a number of Boards and committees across the Commonwealth including the Virginia Telehealth Network, The Council for Rural Virginia, and the Joint Commission on Technology and Science’s Broadband working group.

She holds a bachelor's of science in business management at Christopher Newport University and a master's of business administration from The College of William and Mary.