Most Recent Associate Member Distinguished Service Award Winner
Steve Meltzer
John Staurulakis, Inc.
Greenbelt, Md.
Steve Meltzer has dedicated himself to promoting the financial, operational and service interests of the small and rural telcos that comprise the OPASTCO membership. Working effectively and tirelessly within the often-baffling environment of FCC and state PUC accounting rules and regulations, Steve has served as a forceful advocate for rural companies and communities in the critical separations and settlements field.
Throughout his career, Steve has been very proactive in the broad industry and association efforts and both the educational and advocacy fronts. He has served on various task forces, such as the NECA Cost Issues Task Group and Rate Development Task Force. In addition, he has served for many years as an active member of the OPASTCO Separations & Access and Education committees. Also, for more than five years, Steve has been a member of the FRED Board of Directors and currently serves as FRED Secretary/Treasurer. In addition, he has contributed to any number of OPASTCO, national and state association educational sessions and seminars, and has contributed articles to Roundtable and other industry journals.
In the course of his 32 years at JSI, Steve has worked with countless OPASTCO members and other community-based providers to help them develop financial and accounting systems that best promote their long-term success. Most recently, Steve has worked with the many OPASTCO members selected by USAC and the FCC to undergo the scrutiny of OIG audits of their USF high-cost dollars, and he has advised and instructed them how to best prepare for the audit ordeal and how to safeguard their proprietary rights.