Dr. Alan R. Shark Executive Director Public Technology Institute (PTI)

Dr. Alan R. Shark joins Public Technology Institute (PTI) as its new executive director. Dr. Shark’s career has spanned over 25 years as a highly recognized leader in both the nonprofit management and technology fields with an emphasis on technology applications for business and government. Most recently Dr. Shark served as President & CEO of the American Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA), The Rural Broadband Coalition (RBC) as Executive Director, and the President & CEO of the Power Line Communications Association (PLCA). As PLCA and RBC leader, he is at the forefront of assisting local governments and technology companies on broadband opportunities. While most of his career has been on the nonprofit side, he has worked with many business and professional trade groups and in the profit sector -- served as vice president for marketing a former start-up company called Voice Computer Technologies Corporation.

As author and speaker on technology developments for most of his distinguished career Dr. Shark’s experience both balances and embraces the business,  government, education, and the technology sectors. Dr. Shark also founded the International Wireless Telecommunications Association.

Recognition and Affiliations

Dr. Shark is a Fellow of the Radio Club of America, and the American Society of Association Executives. He has won many awards including Excellence in Education Award and Excellence in Communication Award, and was selected to be in the very first class of Future Leaders through ASAE Annual Program.  He also received a ASAE Gold Circle Award for an Exceptional Education Program and a Gold Circle Award for a Superior Publication. He has been awarded a Bronze Excellence Award for Excellence in Publishing by the Society of National Association Publications, and Excellence in Association Publications by Association Trends.  

Dr. Shark is a member of the American Society for Public Administration, American Society of Association Executives, Federal Bar Association, World Affairs Council of Greater Washington, and the Radio Club of America. He also serves as an Editorial advisor and contributing writer to World Markets Research Center, London; and to the monthly publication Mission Critical published in Denver.

Dr. Shark is a noted writer and speaker on issues of technology, leadership, strategic planning, and association management. He has been widely quote over the years in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and thousands of small independent newspapers, and trade publications. 

Speaking and Teaching

Driving the Future Through Technology, Journal of Association Leadership, Washington, D.C., Center for Association Leadership, 2003

What Does Going Global Really Mean? Global Exchange, Washington, D.C., American Society of Association Executives, 2002

Models &  Characteristics of International Associations, Global Exchange, Washington, D.C., American Society of Association Executives, 2002

Doctoral Dissertation: The Internationalization of American Nonprofit Associations: A Study of Organizational Transition. School of Public Administration, University of Southern California, May 2001.

Association Marketing. In John B. Cox (Ed.) Professional Practices in Association Management. 2nd edition, Washington, D.C., American Society of Association Executives. 1998

Public and Private Land Mobile Radio Telephones and Systems, Lawrence Harte, Alan Shark, Robyn Shalhoub, Tom Steiner.  Upper Saddle River, NJ, Prentice Hall, 2000.

World Market Research Centre, London: Business Briefing Wireless Technology Series (serve on editorial advisory board 1999 to present)

2004: The Impact of Power Line Communications Worldwide

2002: The Future of Private Mobile Radio

2001: Regulatory Climate for Global Wireless E-Business: Eight Essential Considerations.  

Mission Critical International & Mission Critical US. (Monthly Magazines) (serves on editorial advisory board 1988 to present, have written numerous short opinion pieces for most issues).

Education and Family

Dr. Shark holds a doctorate in Public Administration from the University of Southern California’s Washington Public Policy Center, a MPA from Baruch College, and a BBA Degree in Business & Public Administration from Baruch College, as well as an ASS Degree in Business Administration with Honors. Dr. Shark is a Vietnam Veteran, serving two mandatory tours as a Navy Seabee. He is a certified association executive (CAE) and has been recertified seven times by the American Society of Association Executives.  He also holds the distinction of being a Competent Toastmaster from Toastmasters International.

An avid reader, lover of music, he is also an outdoor enthusiast, boater and hiker, he served as assistant scout master of his son’s local Boy Scout Troop for over four years. He has two children; David (22) U.S. Navy Ensign and Eagle Scout; and Jennifer (19) Music Major and Oboist at the University of New Mexico.