Full Name
John Lawson
Job Title
Executive Director
Company
Advanced Warning and Response Network (AWARN) Alliance
Bio
John Lawson serves as Executive Director of the Advanced Warning and Response Network (AWARN) Alliance, an international coalition of broadcasting, consumer electronics, and professional tech companies. The Alliance is leveraging Next Gen TV (ATSC 3.0) to develop the world’s most advanced system for packaging and distributing emergency alerts and information.
He’s also President of Convergence Services, Inc, a consulting firm focused on spectrum, resilience, Next Gen TV business models, and the Intelligent Transportation Industry.
John was one of four signatories to the original Joint Petition that led to FCC approval of ATSC 3.0 in November 2017. John currently serves on FEMA’s National Advisory Council IPAWS Subcommittee and graduated from FEMA’s Emergency Management Executive Academy in 2018. An expert panelist at the White House Earthquake Resilience Summit in 2016, John also has served on three FCC homeland security advisory committees.
John began his work on advanced alerting while CEO of the Association of Public Television Stations during the 9/11 attacks. He was Executive VP of ION Media Networks and Executive Director of the Mobile500 Alliance. Board service includes the National Association of Broadcasters, the Open Mobile Video Coalition, and Senior Warden of Historic Christ Church in Alexandria, Virginia.
His awards include the Individual Technology Leadership Award from TV of Tomorrow in 2018 and the Academy of Digital Television Pioneers Award from CES in 2008. John earned BA and MA degrees in International Studies at the University of South Carolina.
He’s also President of Convergence Services, Inc, a consulting firm focused on spectrum, resilience, Next Gen TV business models, and the Intelligent Transportation Industry.
John was one of four signatories to the original Joint Petition that led to FCC approval of ATSC 3.0 in November 2017. John currently serves on FEMA’s National Advisory Council IPAWS Subcommittee and graduated from FEMA’s Emergency Management Executive Academy in 2018. An expert panelist at the White House Earthquake Resilience Summit in 2016, John also has served on three FCC homeland security advisory committees.
John began his work on advanced alerting while CEO of the Association of Public Television Stations during the 9/11 attacks. He was Executive VP of ION Media Networks and Executive Director of the Mobile500 Alliance. Board service includes the National Association of Broadcasters, the Open Mobile Video Coalition, and Senior Warden of Historic Christ Church in Alexandria, Virginia.
His awards include the Individual Technology Leadership Award from TV of Tomorrow in 2018 and the Academy of Digital Television Pioneers Award from CES in 2008. John earned BA and MA degrees in International Studies at the University of South Carolina.
