MEET OUR TEAM

  • PATRICK MESSAC

    DIRECTOR

    Patrick Messac is the Director for the East Bay Broadband Consortium (EBBC). School-based at the start of the Pandemic, Patrick’s understanding of the digital divide was shaped profoundly by the sudden transition to remote learning and the pervasive impact digital inequity had on his students and the community at large. Now leading the EBBC, Patrick seeks to build a community-led movement to bridge the East Bay’s digital divide for good. 

    Prior to this role, Patrick served as the Director for the #OaklandUndivided Coalition with the goal of ensuring that all those who live or work in East and West Oakland—especially his former students—  have access to reliable internet as a 21st century civil right.

    Patrick earned his B.A. in Public Policy Studies from Duke University and received his M.Ed  from Arizona State University. In his free time, Patrick enjoys trying new restaurants and exploring the East Bay with his pugapoo.

    CONNECT
    LinkedIn • pmessac@eastbaybroadband.org

  • CINTHIA DIAZ MEDRANO

    DEPUTY DIRECTOR

    Cinthia is the Deputy Director of the East Bay Broadband Consortium’s (EBBC). As a Mexican immigrant growing up in East Oakland she experienced firsthand the challenges faced by underserved and under-invested communities. This informed her career path and commitment to removing systemic barriers that too often prevent her community from thriving.  

    Cinthia has dedicated her career to working in Bay Area nonprofits, including La Clinica de La Raza, First 5 Alameda County, and the First 5 Center for Children’s Policy. Most recently, as #OaklandUndivided’s Director of Community Impact, she worked alongside community members to ensure their voices drove Oakland’s digital equity efforts. She now brings that expertise to EBBC to help Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano county voices shape equitable broadband solutions throughout the state.

    Cinthia holds bachelor’s degrees in Business Management Economics, and Sociology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a Master’s in Public Administration with a Public Management and Policy Analysis concentration from California State University, East Bay.

    CONNECT
    LinkedIn • cdiaz@eastbaybroadband.org

  • DARBY HATFIELD

    POLICY AND ADVOCACY INTERN

    Darby Hatfield is a Policy and Advocacy Intern at EBBC with a passion for digital equity and community engagement. Her interest in digital inclusion began while serving as an Oakland Youth Commissioner. In that role, she advocated for broadband infrastructure investments in East Oakland, participated in digital equity initiatives such as Day of Action, and delivered public comments supporting equitable access to technology and internet connectivity. Darby is a rising sophomore at California State University, Chico. Through her experiences in public service, she developed a strong interest in public policy and advocacy. Her current work focuses on student digital access, overcoming digital barriers to public benefit programs, and community awareness. 

  • ALYSSE CASTRO

    ALYSSE CASTRO

    COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT
    ALAMEDA COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION

    Alysse Castro is the Alameda County Superintendent of Schools and a leader in advancing equitable education systems for historically underserved students. Her expertise in education finance and systems transformation helps ensure EBBC’s broadband strategies address connectivity gaps that directly affect student learning, family access, and community opportunity.

  • NAVEED ASHRAF

    DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
    CITY OF FAIRFIELD

    Naveed Ashraf is the City of Fairfield’s Information Technology Director with over 20 years of experience leading technology initiatives across the public and private sectors, including as former CIO for the City of Vallejo. His expertise in municipal broadband, public safety communications, and accessible technology strengthens EBBC’s ability to advance practical, community-centered connectivity solutions in Solano County.

  • TONY BATALLA

    CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER
    CITY OF OAKLAND

    Tony Batalla serves as Chief Information Officer and Director of Information Technology for the City of Oakland, bringing nearly 20 years of public- and private-sector IT leadership. His experience negotiating ISP agreements, leveraging municipal fiber assets, and launching low-cost broadband and public Wi-Fi initiatives directly supports EBBC’s efforts to expand affordable, high-speed internet access across the East Bay.

  • ALISON MCKEE

    COUNTY LIBRARIAN
    CONTRA COSTA COUNTY LIBRARY

    Alison McKee is the County Librarian for the Contra Costa County Library, bringing more than two decades of experience advancing modern, community-centered library services. Her leadership on major IT upgrades and the library system’s transition to a state-sponsored broadband network directly supports EBBC’s goals to strengthen public access points and expand high-speed internet access across Contra Costa County.

  • LILI GANGAS

    CHIEF TECHNOLOGY COMMUNITY OFFICER
    KAPOR CENTER

    Lili Gangas is Chief Technology Community Officer at the Kapor Center, where she leads initiatives at the intersection of technology, racial justice, and inclusive tech policy. Her expertise in closing the digital divide, advancing equitable broadband policy, and supporting civic and community-based tech ecosystems strengthens EBBC’s ability to align infrastructure investments with equity-driven outcomes across the region.

  • STEWART BRUCE

    STEWART BRUCE

    REGIONAL IT INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPERATIONS MANAGER
    SOLANO COUNty DEPARTMENT OF IT

    Stewart Bruce is the Regional IT Infrastructure and Operations Manager in Solano County's Department of IT. He oversees regional IT modernization in Solano County, with direct leadership across broadband, GIS, permitting systems, and public safety communications. His experience advancing cloud-based infrastructure, managing large-scale public broadband investments, and guiding Solano Connected strengthens EBBC’s capacity to deliver resilient, equity-driven broadband and digital inclusion solutions across the region.

  • ULISES ZATARAIN

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
    TECH EXCHANGE

    Ulises Zatarain is Executive Director of Tech Exchange, which serves residents in Alameda, Contra Costa, and Solano County. Ulises has over 15 years of experience leading programs that expand educational, workforce, and digital opportunities for underserved youth and families. His expertise in building equity-focused tech pathways, community partnerships, and inclusive programming directly supports EBBC’s mission to close the digital divide and expand broadband access across the East Bay.