State communications network (Code State Fi-
nance and Procurement Article, secs. 4-901
through 4-904).
Telecommunications is responsible for six of-
fices: Administrative and Financial Services, Net-
work and Technical Services, Telecommunications
Access of Maryland, Telecommunications Procure-
ment, Voice and Customer Services, and Wireless
Communication Services.

ADMINISTRATIVE & FINANCIAL SERVICES
Louis V. LaRicci, Director
(410) 767-4202

Administrative and Financial Services reviews,
approves, and processes vendor invoices for tele-
communication equipment, systems, and services,
and manages and operates systems that charge us-
ing agencies their proportionate share of the costs
to install, maintain, and operate common user tele-
communication equipment, systems, and services.
The office also produces the State of Maryland
Telephone Directory for State agencies.

NETWORK & TECHNICAL SERVICES
Preston L. Dillard, Director
(410) 767-4647

For data, imaging, video and voice-related serv-
ices, Network and Technical Services provides de-
sign and technical support to Telecommunications,
and State agencies. The office tries to match the
appropriate technology with agency applications
for best performance at lowest cost.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS
OF MARYLAND
Gilbert L. Becker, Program Manager

300 West Preston St.
Baltimore, MD 21201—2308
voice & TDD: (410) 767-4204
TDD: 1-800-552-7724

Telecommunications Access of Maryland started
in 1988 as the Telecommunications for Disabled
Individuals Program within the Department of Hu-
man Resources. In 1990, the federal Americans with
Disabilities Act required all states to have a telecom-
munications relay system operating by July 1993. In
1991, Maryland's Program was renamed and trans-
ferred to the Department of General Services (Chap-
ter 598, Acts of 1991). In 1996, it moved to the
Department of Budget and Management.
Telecommunications Access of Maryland began
the Maryland Relay Service in December 1991 to
convey dual-party telephone messages for persons
with disabilities. The Service enables a deaf person
to communicate via a telecommunications device
with an intermediary party who then verbally relays
the message to a third party. For State residents who
are deaf or have impaired hearing, speech, vision,

or mobility, the Service makes telephone use possi-
ble 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

GOVERNOR'S ADVISORY BOARD FOR
TELECOMMUNICATIONS RELAY

Jim B. Bishop, Jr., Chair, 1995
voice & TDD: (410) 767-4204

The Governor's Advisory Board for Telecommu-
nications Relay was formed in 1987 as the Telecom-
munications for Disabled Individuals Board within
the Department of Human Resources (Chapter 525,
Acts of 1987). Reorganized under its present name,
the Board transferred to the Department of General
Services in 1991 (Chapter 598, Acts of 1991). The
Board joined the Department of Budget and Man-
agement in 1996. In consultation with the Board, the
Department of Budget and Management maintains
the Maryland Relay Service.
The Board's twelve members are appointed by
the Governor who names the chair. Members serve
three-year terms (Code 1957, Art. 41, secs. 6-501
through 6-507).

TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROCUREMENT
William M. Bowser, Chief
(410) 767-4254

Telecommunications Procurement began in
1992 as Procurement and Contract Management
under the Assistant Secretary for Telecommunica-
tions in the Department of General Services. The
unit reorganized as Telecommunications Procure-
ment under the Procurement and Contracting Of-
fice in December 1993 and in 1996 transferred to
the Department of Budget and Management.
Through this unit, the Department administers
State procurement of telecommunications equip-
ment, systems, and services. The unit also monitors
contracts to ensure that vendors meet specifications
(Code State Finance and Procurement Article, secs.
4-901 through 4-904).

VOICE & CUSTOMER SERVICES
Carol L. Cordial, Director
(410) 767-4648

Between State agencies and vendors, Voice and
Customer Services coordinates the installation,
management, and operation of telecommunication
equipment and systems for voice applications. The
office provides technical advice and consultation
services to State and local governments.

WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SERVICES
George E. (Ed) Ryan, Director
(410) 767-4479

Wireless Communication Services began as Ra-
dio Services, and received its present name in 1994.
Wireless Communication Services promotes com-
patibility between radio systems, evaluates and pro-