The Wilkins Group, Inc.
March 24, 2000
Wilkins Appointed to Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund Board
Thomas U. Wilkins, the founder and CEO of The Wilkins Group, Inc., a
telecommunications and systems integration firm based in Richardson
Texas' renowned Telecom Corridor, was recently appointed to the
Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund Board (TIF Board) by Texas'
Lieutenant Governor Rick Perry.
The TIF Board was created in 1995 to make Texas the leader in
technology among public schools and charter schools, institutions of
higher education, libraries, and medical facilities in the United
States. The TIF Board is also charged with providing Internet
access and computers to 100% of the Texas population by allocating
over a billion dollars in grants statewide.
The Board of Directors sets policies and makes the decision about
which areas of the state receive grants and the criteria that the
grantees must follow. "The key issue is to help the grantees
understand how to use the technology for their greatest benefits.
It is much more than putting in wires or handing out loans, it is the
opportunity to open up boundless opportunity for everyone," says Mr.
Wilkins.
The progress that the Board has made in its first five years is
amazing. "If we look at what the funding has done up until now,
and look at schools and medical facilities in remote areas, and hear
their praises, and imagine what it would be like without the help,
then we can see that the funding has cmade an important difference.
If the Board can continue to help school districts, colleges,
libraries, and non-profit health care practices, if we can help drive
them to common platforms and allow entities to communicate seamlessly,
it raises Texas above any other state."
Mr. Wilkins holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electronic
Engineering Technology from the American Technical Institute in
Killeen, TX. Mr. Wilkins is also a veteran of the U.S. Navy,
where he was a member of the Presidential Ceremonial Honor Guard.
Whether Mr. Wilkins is mentoring young, eager professionals, meeting
with technology executives, or training bright summer interns, his
passion for his work is always prevalent. Mr. Wilkins is married
to Faye, and they have three children. Mr. Wilkins enjoys golf
and embraces the "fun factor" principle. Mr. Wilkins will serve
a term ending August 31, 2005.
