October 2022: A Note from Hope Katz Gibbs, producer, Inkandescent Radio — Hello and welcome to the first episode of the Distance Learning Roundtable show on the Inkandescent Radio Network. As the show’s producer, I am thrilled to introduce you to the hosts of our newest program — Distance Learning Roundtable, the podcast and video show where experts gather to discuss the future of online education.
Today you will meet the show’s hosts: Pat Cassella, the executive director of the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA), and Dean Hoke, managing partner of the international organization Edu Alliance.
You’ll learn about:
- USDLA and its mission, Pat’s work, and how he became the executive director of this important organization
- Dean and the goals of Edu Alliance
- Their exciting show we are launching this month, October 2022, and what inspired them to create it
- Their upcoming guests
- USDLA’s upcoming event, National Distance Learning Week, which will be held Nov. 7-11
- Parting thoughts about the future of online learning and how this show will help podcast listeners and video viewers better understand the immense power of distance learning.
About Pat Cassella: As a leader in the high-tech industry for more than 30 years, Pat has had roles in Sales, Marketing, Product Development, and Engineering. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Bridgeport and a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of New Haven. He has spent the past 20 years within the IP video market as an architect of products, designing marketing campaigns and leading sales teams within the Government, Education, Corporate and Medical markets.
Pat is the founder of ETC Video (a video consulting company) and Vice President of Marketing and Development for IDSolutions. He is actively engaged in providing sales/marketing services, new product development, and grant application writing for end users, product manufacturers and resellers across the US. His recent focus has been on distance learning initiatives within the K-12, Higher Education, and Healthcare industry and training and telepresence within the corporate enterprise market. He is a strong educational proponent and frequent speaker in promoting the use of digital video in today’s classrooms and businesses.
He began his career at the Norden Systems division of United Technologies, designing and testing radar subsystems for F4 airborne applications. He has held senior positions at Entrata Communications and in the broadband division at General DataComm developing their first and second-generation ATM edge switches. During the Telecom boom, he was Director of Technology and Planning at Entrata Communications, where he developed technical requirements for next-generation communications equipment. Prior, he was a chief signaling architect and department manager at General DataComm, where he initiated a signaling development department and brought several voice-over ATM products to market. He has extensive signaling protocol experience and holds several patents on AAL2 and narrowband to broadband signaling inter-working.
Before starting ETC Video, he was the Vice President of Educational Markets at VBrick Systems. He was the chief architect, ran product management for their IP video products, developed their E-Rate program, and defined the market strategy for K-12 and higher education verticals.
Pat resides in the coastal community of Ormond By The Sea, FL, with his wife Sandy and rescued Greyhounds. He has served on past several community boards and is an active volunteer. His hobbies include motorcycle instruction and riding, educational technology development, civic event volunteering, sports, fishing, home networking technology, and animal rescue.
About Dean: Based in Bloomington, Indiana, and the United Arab Emirates, Dean is the Managing Partner of Edu Alliance Group, Dean has decades of progressively responsible and visionary leadership roles in higher education, communications & online learning. He has led numerous initiatives that have created innovation & positive change in the higher education & non-profit sector.
Dean began his career in 1975 with Bellarmine University working in various roles, including admissions and external relations. In 1983 he entered the broadcasting field, serving as a senior executive for Public Broadcasting System stations and a cable network. In 1998 he co-founded The Connected Learning Network, a full-service online learning company. In 2009 accepted an invitation to move to the United Arab Emirates serving in senior positions at Higher Colleges of Technology & Khalifa University before co-founding Edu Alliance in 2014.
He participates in numerous advisory & consulting projects in the fields of international education, branding, business intelligence, and online learning. He is an active speaker and writer in global higher education and distance learning. Dean has written on leadership, higher education, and distance learning worldwide.
Dean is currently Chairperson Elect of the American Association of University Administrators, an Advisory Board member of the Franklin University School of Education, and a member of the United States Distance Learning Association, in which he previously served as President-Elect and Chaired the International Partnership Committee.
Mr. Hoke has a B.A. from Urbana University, an M.S. from the University of Louisville, and a Certificate in Executive Management from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School.