Guilford County Commissioner Alan Perdue, who led the county’s Emergency Services Department for over a decade before becoming a county commissioner, is a highly sought after speaker who travels around the country giving presentations on various safety and communications matters.

That extensive knowledge and experience apparently caught the eye of the federal government. Perdue has just been selected to serve in a prestigious federal position – on the board of the Intergovernmental Advisory Committee of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

The FCC makes a great deal of key communications decisions that affect Americans in a big way on a daily basis.

The new position gives Perdue a chance to offer input on those matters.

 The FCC, which was established in 1934 is an independent agency of the federal government and is responsible for “regulating interstate and international communications by wire and radio.”

Perdue, who’s gotten a whole lot of accolades in his life, said upon the appointment that he’s “truly honored” with the chance to serve in this capacity, and he added that he looks forward to working with other elected officials to provide insight into the various telecommunications issues that affect communities across the country.

Perdue’s term starts on Wednesday, March 13 and runs for two years.

During that time, he’ll take part in a wide variety of meetings, conference calls and service efforts, with the first meeting being in mid-April,

 Despite a wide range of responsibilities, county officials say it won’t impair Perdue’s ability to perform his duties as a commissioner.

Perdue said that, in his work with the committee, he’ll be involved in data collection and analysis, as well as play an advisory role and help with the outreach efforts of the organization.

“I believe,” he added, “that through collaborative efforts, we can make meaningful strides in advancing telecommunications policies that benefit everyone. I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead and am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this important work.”

The FCC’s main mission is to see that people across America “have access to efficient, reliable, and affordable communication services.” The group “oversees various aspects of the telecommunications industry, including broadcasting, broadband, wireless, and satellite services. Through its regulatory efforts, the FCC helps ensure widespread access to communication services, promote public safety, and address emerging telecommunications issues.”

The committee Perdue will serve on also acts as a conduit for the exchange of information and guidance between the FCC and governmental bodies.