Robert Osborn has served at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) for over 13 years, currently holding the position of Director of Broadband Consumer Programs and Carrier Oversight. Based in Sacramento, Osborn manages three branches within the Communications Division, overseeing five consumer programs focused on providing safe, reliable, and affordable communications services to Californians. His responsibilities also include managing budget, human resources, contracts, licensing, and service quality.
Osborn, who previously spent two decades in the private telecommunications sector, said his motivation for joining the CPUC was a desire to work for an organization that helps people and makes a lasting difference. “I worked in the private sector in telecommunications for two decades and wanted to work for an organization that is helping people and making a lasting difference,” he said.
He highlighted the diversity at the CPUC as a particularly rewarding aspect of his work. “The CPUC is incredibly diverse. I am constantly learning about people’s life experiences, travels, hobbies, and languages they speak in addition to English. I love to learn languages and about other languages and cultures,” Osborn said.
One of the projects Osborn is most proud of is the creation of a new CPUC Communications section and function, which helps the public, local governments, and businesses navigate the broadband grant application process. “Several years back, we created a new CPUC Communications (?) section and function charged with helping the public, local governments, and businesses navigate the complicated process of applying for broadband grants. They are called ‘caseworkers,’ and they’ve filled a longstanding need to better connect policy and programs to the public,” he explained.
Osborn also shared some personal interests. He majored in Chinese Studies and passed the Foreign Service Language Exam in both Mandarin Chinese and Japanese after participating in the Japan Exchange Teaching Program and studying at the graduate level in San Diego. Outside of work, he is an active member of a master’s rowing team at River City Rowing Club in West Sacramento, practicing six days a week and regularly competing at the Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston.
For those seeking recommendations, Osborn suggests “The Empire podcast with Anita Anand and William Dalrymple.” He noted, “I’ve listened to over 100 episodes. Anita is based in London, and William is in New Delhi. They invite authors to talk about all empires throughout human history.”
