L. Marie Guillory brings her extensive experience from work as a regulatory lawyer and executive at the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association. She left from NTCA as Vice President of Legal and Industry in, 2005. Barry L. Hjort comes with experience as a telecommunications executive from the Colorado Telecommunications Association, which he left as Executive Vice President in 2005. The two lawyers have together spent over 35 years representing clients in the telecommunications industry. Guillory is a 15-year veteran at NTCA. She has spent her career in the public utilities area and has a background in appellate litigation, oil and gas and electricity as well as telecommunications.
Hjort had eight years of service at the Colorado Telecommunications Association. Prior to leading that association, he served in legal and lobbying positions for US West, was the Assistant Commissioner for Legal Affairs of the Montana University System, and served as a staff lawyer in the United States Department of Justice. His legal background includes a focus on telecommunications and employment law.
Guillory and Hjort formed the firm to provide an additional choice to rural telecommunications companies that need the services of seasoned professionals to assist with the many complex business and public policy issues that companies and policy makers face in today's evolving marketplace. Guillory & Hjort, PLLC will focus on meeting the business, regulatory and legislative needs of rural communications providers and others interested in rural issues. Rural companies are finding that they must diversify and adapt to a rapidly changing technological and regulatory environment to compete with new entrant providers and remain viable in the 21st century. The firm is equipped to give advice and help companies making that transition in the converging market.
BARRY L. HJORT
Prior Position:
Executive Vice President
Colorado Telecommunications Association
PO Box 461288
Glendale, CO 80246
303.795.8080
Summary of Knowledge and Skills
Experience in wide variety of legal service, administrative, regulatory and legislative subject matters, including telecommunications, human resources, civil rights, contracts, education and intellectual property.
Seasoned advocate with experience in state and federal court trials, administrative proceedings, state Public Utility Commission proceedings and appeals in both state and federal court.
Experience in adjudication of a variety of disputes and in the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements and other contracts.
Extensive experience with legislative lobbying. Previously a registered lobbyist in Colorado, Montana and New Mexico.
Proven leader of a state telecommunications association.
Excellent communications skills, both verbal and written.
Summary of Accomplishments and Experience
For the past eight years provided management, administration, lobbying and legal services to the 28 rural local exchange telephone company members of the Colorado Telecommunications Association.
Prior to CTA service, employed by U S WEST for 12 years in Montana, Colorado and New Mexico in a variety of legal and lobbying capacities including as the company's lead Colorado lobbyist and as Chief Regulatory Counsel in New Mexico.
Prior to employment with U S WEST, worked in private law practice in Helena, Montana; as Assistant Commissioner for Legal Affairs for the Montana University System; and as a staff attorney in the Land and Natural Resources Division with the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, DC.
Served four years of active duty as an Officer in the United States Navy. Honorably discharged with the rank of Lieutenant. Flight school and communications school graduate.
Has successfully litigated LNP waiver extensions for ILEC clients. Has extensive experience in litigation of Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) proceedings and associated service area redefinition proceedings. Lead counsel in recent complaint case of first impression seeking revocation of ETC designation for a wireless ETC carrier in Colorado for failure to provide supported services. Co-counsel in another recent case of first impression involving an RBOC effort to secure state commission authority to provide competitive telecommunications services in an ILEC service territory.
Served as an elected member of a local School Board. Voluntary service as a member of state bar committees and local community organizations.
Speaker on telecommunications and legislative topics at numerous Continuing Legal Education (CLE) seminars and Association programs.
Bar Admissions
Colorado, Montana and New Mexico
Admitted to Bar of the United States Federal Courts of Appeal in the 9th and 10th circuits and in several district courts
Education
1966 B.A. - History & English - University of Montana, Missoula, Montana
1973 J.D. - University of Montana, Missoula, Montana
Professional Organizations
American Bar Association
State Bars of Colorado, Montana and New Mexico
National Council of State Telephone Association Executives
American Quarter Horse Association
Personal
Born and raised on a family farm in eastern Montana. Family still involved in agricultural pursuits. Married to Sandi Pears Hjort. We have one adult child, Kirt.
Personal interests include reading, golf and antiquing.
Home address:
2111 West Blvd.
Rapid City, SD 57701
605.721.8033
L. MARIE GUILLORY
Prior Position:
Vice President Legal & Industry
National Telecommunications Cooperative Association
4121 Wilson Blvd.,
10th Floor
Arlington, Va. 22203
703.351.2021
Summary of Knowledge and Skills
Experience in forming and implementing legislative policy and interpreting regulations
Experience in negotiation of complex agreements
Experience with board decision-making process
Skilled communicator and decision maker
Effective manager and team leader
Expert knowledge of federal administrative law and regulated utilities laws
Experience in representing federal agencies regulated natural gas pipeline company, and association of telecommunications carriers, information service providers and communications providers.
Skilled in appellate advocacy
Summary of Accomplishments and Experience
Applied specialized knowledge of administrative law and regulated rail, motor carrier, gas and telecommunications industries to deliver expert advice to governmental and private clients over a period of 29 years
Led 3 year access charge negotiations and regulatory reform initiative for association of 550 rural telephone companies
Provided expert legal and policy advice and education to regulated small businesses engaged in telecommunications, lawyers in private practice, federal and state regulators and foreign governmental officials over 15 year period
Produced legal analysis for 1994 study that assessed feasibility of establishing privately owned telecommunications service provider to serve rural areas of Tanzania. Assessed and analyzed business environment and political and regulatory climate of Tanzania and conducted on-site visits and interviews with Tanzanian government officials and business leaders.
Served in leadership position on numerous Boards, community and political groups in Washington, D.C., Virginia and Houston, Texas
Positions Held
Vice President of Legal and Industry
National Telecommunications Cooperative Association
Arlington, VA
Corporate Attorney
Panhandle Eastern Corporation
Houston, Texas
Appellate Lawyer and Attorney Advisor
Interstate Commerce Commission
Washington, D.C.
Sample Lectures and Seminar Presentations
-Americans with Disability Act-Accessibility and Special Rules for Telcos and REA Borrowers - NTCA Legal Seminar Manual, November 1992
-Annual Federal Regulatory, Judicial and Legislative Update, - NTCA Legal Seminar Manual, 1993-2004.
-The Experience of U.S. Rural Service Providers, - Proceedings of Regulatory Issues I Workshop, Johannesburg, South Africa, July 17,
-Balancing Mandates to Promote Competition and Universal Service, - Proceedings of Global Forum 2002, Foundation Sophia-Antipolis and Items International, George Washington University, Washington, DC, October 18, 2002.
-Universal Service and Competition, - presented to Staff Subcommittee on Telecommunications of National Association of Regulatory Commissioners, Chicago, Illinois, November 9, 2002
-Preserving the Benefits of Universal Service in a Changing Regulatory Climate in the United States, - Proceedings of Global Forum 2003, Foundation Sophia-Antipolis and Items International, Palazzo Taverna, Rome, Italy
-The Role of NTCA Members, - Proceedings of Global Forum 2004, Foundation Sophia-Antipolis and Items International, Malmo, Sweden
-The Impact of Convergence and Regulation on Rural Providers - Proceedings of Global Forum 2005, Foundation Sophia Antipolis and Items International, Brussels, Belgium
-Testimony before House Agriculture Committee of United States Congress on the Sugar Act -1972
-Hearing Officer-Abandonment of Passenger Rail Service in US-1977-78
Bar Admissions
Texas, District of Columbia
Admitted to Bar of United States Supreme Court, Federal Courts of Appeal in D.C., 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 9th circuits and several district courts
Education
B.A., Blessed Sacrament College
M.A., Loyola University of the South, New Orleans, Louisiana
J.D., Rutgers Law School, Newark, New Jersey
Professional Organizations
Federal Communications Bar Association
Steering Committee-Global Forum 2003, 2004 and 2005
Other Leadership Positions
2000-Present: Member of Board, Executive Committee and Professional Affairs and Quality Assurance Committee of Washington Hospital Center. The Center is the largest private hospital in the nation's capital with more than 900 licensed beds. It is a top facility in cardiac, cancer, neurosciences, gastrointestinal disorders, endocrinology, women's services, transplantation and burn.
1991-1993-Member of State Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Commonwealth of Virginia, appointed by Governor Douglas Wilder
