Robert Osborn

About Robert Osborn

I am responsible for the effective management and oversight of the Commission\'s consumer-facing public purpose programs (California LifeLine, California Connect / Deaf and Disabled Telecom Program, and California Teleconnect) as well as carrier support and oversight programs including California High-Cost Funds, network performance and resilience, licensing, and surcharge administration. Also responsible for division-wide administrative support, including budgeting, HR, and procurement.I represent the Commission with the public and stakeholder groups and interface with federal, state, and local agencies, boards, commissions, and other departments on issues and programs related to the regulation of the telecommunication industry utilities. I collaborate with other state and federal agencies and all external stakeholders to anticipate telecommunication utility needs and appropriate strategies to meet those needs as well as prepare correspondence at the request of the Commissioners and Governor’s office for response to inquiries to the respective offices.Previous experience includes general manager roles in business development, supply chain and vendor management, competitive RFP contract negotiation, financial analysis, and department-level personnel and budget management.

Experience

1. Director, Broadband Consumer Programs and Carrier Oversight

   California Public Utilities Commission

   Feb 2025 — Present · Sacramento, CA, US

   Responsible for the effective management and oversight of the Commission\'s consumer-facing public purpose programs (California LifeLine, California Connect / Deaf and Disabled Telecom Program, and California Teleconnect) as well as carrier support and oversight programs including California High-Cost Funds, network performance and resilience, licensing, and surcharge administration. Also responsible for division-wide administrative support, including budgeting, HR, and procurement.

Education

• UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy (GPS)

  Master's of International Affairs, International Business - East Asia

  1991 — 1993

• UC San Diego

  (transferred to UC Berkeley), Chinese Studies

  1984 — 1986

• University of California, Berkeley

  BA, Asian Studies

  1986 — 1989

• Stanford University Graduate School of Business

  Executive Education, Financial Accounting for Non-Financial Executives

  2002 — 2002

• Beijing University

  Study Abroad, Intensive Mandarin Chinese

  1987 — 1988

Skills

• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Pricing
• Telecommunications
• Product Management
• Mobile Devices
• Program Management
• Business Development
• Product Development
• Business Strategy
• Wireless
• Project Management
• Start-Ups
• Strategic Planning
• New Business Development
• Product Marketing
• Cloud Computing
• Team Leadership
• Management Consulting
• Vendor Management
• Marketing Strategy
• Japanese
• Mandarin
• Strategic Partnerships
• Management
• Strategy
• Analytics
• Entrepreneurship
• Competitive Analysis
• Networking
• Go-to-Market Strategy
• Contract Negotiation
• Market Research
• Saas
• Leadership