Tom Gleason

Tom is senior partner in a Kansas law firm involved in rural telecommunications for over half a century. He represented small, independent rural telephone companies in the development and implementation of the comprehensive Kansas Telecommunication Act, and has authored amendments that fine-tuned that law’s role in adapting to advanced communications needs. His clients are small, independent telephone companies and their affiliates providing affordable voice, video and broadband service in sparsely populated markets. As economic mainstays of their smaller communities Tom’s clients have been central participants in many aspects of community development, from housing to education to local government operations.

The interrelationship between different levels of government regulation is a continuing challenge for communications providers serving rural communities. Tom has helped his clients navigate conflicting public policy objectives in their provision of advanced communications services throughout their rural markets. Additionally his experience as chairman of the Community Development Block Grant advisory board for Lawrence, Kansas and subsequent service on the Lawrence City Commission have led to his familiarity with neighborhood issues,local government finance, land use regulation and intergovernmental challenges. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications and a Juris Doctor from the University of Kansas School of Law.