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TechnologyDaily Mobile
AOL's Frazee Opens Lobbying Shop
by Bara Vaida
After three years, Elizabeth Frazee, vice president of domestic policy at AOL Time Warner, is leaving to start her own lobbying firm. Frazee said her business will be a "one-woman shop" but as her client list grows, she hopes to create a bipartisan lobbying practice. Her first client is AOL Time Warner, and she will continue to work on issues such as intellectual property and e-commerce, which have been a major focus for her during her tenure at the media and Internet service provider firm.
"I just decided it was time to...hang out my own shingle," said Frazee, a North Carolina-native, when asked what spurred her decision to leave. She said the well-reported financial difficulties AOL is facing has nothing to do with her departure. "I had a great experience here," she said. Frazee has solid Republican ties, which should help her with both congressional chambers in GOP hands. Prior to AOL, Frazee worked at Walt Disney Co. for three years and was legislative counsel for Congressional Internet Caucus co-Chairman Robert Goodlatte, R-Va., and a press secretary to former House Commerce Committee Chairman Tom Bliley, R-Va.
While Some Tech Firms Lobbying Offices Grow
Though the high-tech industry continues to struggle during that nation's economic slowdown, several firms are expanding their presence within the Beltway. Microsoft, for example, continues to grow its Washington office. Most recently, the software company hired Betsy Brady as policy counsel, where she will oversee policy work related to security and regulatory issues. Previously, Brady spent 11 years at AT&T where she held several positions including vice president of federal government affairs. In that job, she focused on cable issues for the telecommunications firm. Prior to AT&T, Brady was with the law firm Sidley and Austin. Microsoft now has 18 people in its D.C. office.
Also expanding is Dell Computer, which has hired Michael Young to handle congressional relations in the House and Senate. Previously he was legislative director and adviser for Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, who is expected to be the new chairman of the House Judiciary subcommittee on Courts, the Internet and Intellectual Property. In Smith's office, Young worked on issues related to the Internet, intellectual property, science, technology, telecommunications and trade. He joined Smith's office as a staff assistant in 1995. "Michael will be a valuable addition to a great Texas company known for its professional and technical excellence," said Smith in a statement. "And since Michael Dell is a constituent of mine, I'll be able to keep close tabs on Michael Young's progress."
Personnel Changes at EIA
Kerry Fennelly, who joined the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) in early 2001, has left to join the Petrizzo Group, where she will be a vice president and handle government affairs for clients including EIA. At EIA she was director of communications and government affairs and worked on a variety of high-tech issues, such as trade and computer waste. Prior to joining the EIA, Fennelly was corporate communications director for Sequoia Software and before that spent six years as a communications aide for former Sen. Connie Mack, R-Fla.
Meanwhile, there are changes at the Internet Security Alliance (ISA), which is housed within EIA. Larry Clinton, former executive director of government relations at the U.S. Telecom Association, has taken a new position as deputy executive director and operating officer of the ISA. He replaces Don Skillman, director of Internet policy, who recently left to pursue other interests. For the past six months, Clinton has been an outside consultant for the ISA, which promotes cyber-security policies among companies and has a partnership with Carnegie Mellon's CERT coordination center. CERT issues warnings of vulnerabilities on the Internet. Caitlin Durkovich, director of business development and marketing, also recently left the ISA.
Changes at the Agencies
Tom Sugrue, the chief of the FCC's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, is leaving the agency this spring and John Muleta is replacing him by mid-February. Sugrue was appointed chief of the wireless bureau in 1998 and was key in setting the agency's spectrum policies. Muleta currently is president and CEO of Source 1 Technologies, a privately held systems integration firm. He also cofounded OI Systems, a consulting firm and worked at PSINet from 1998 through 2000. He worked at the FCC from 1994 through 1998, where he held positions in the common carrier bureau and the policy and program planning division. "To take over this vital bureau chief position, I am turning to industry veteran and former FCC official, John Muleta, who will bring extensive experience and leadership to the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau and Commission at a critical time," FCC Chairman Michael Powell said in a statement.
Ron Bonjean will become director of public affairs at the Commerce Department beginning in February. He previously was press secretary to former Senate Republican leader Trent Lott, R-Miss. He also has been communications director for former House Republican Conference Chairman J.C. Watts, R-Okla., and during the Bush presidential campaign, Bonjean was communications director for the 2000 Republican National Convention and led the House Republican communications team during the Florida ballot recount effort for the presidential election.
Rep. Cox's Newest Numbers Man
House Republican Policy Chairman Christopher Cox, R-Calif., has appointed Howard Fienberg as a legislative assistant handling energy, science and the environment, among other issues. Before joining Cox's staff, Fienberg worked as a freelance columnist, editor, and analyst in Northern Virginia and his work appeared in a number of national publications. Fienberg had spent five years as a senior analyst with the Statistical Assessment Service (STATS), a nonprofit research organization dedicated to public understanding of scientific and social research. Prior to STATS, he assisted research efforts in the Statistics Department of Carnegie-Mellon University. Fienberg specializes in environmental and health science analysis and research methodology
Honors From High-Tech Associations
TechNet, the bipartisan lobbying high-tech group, has named Sens. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., and George Allen, R-Va., along with California Reps. Christopher Cox, a Republican, and Anna Eshoo, a Democrat, as "2002 Founders Circle Award Winners" for their support of high-tech issues. TechNet traditionally chooses to honor lawmakers from both sides of the aisle for their support. "Our award winners have worked hard and in an effective, bipartisan way to advance TechNet policy initiatives for the country and the communities they serve," said TechNet President Rick White.
Electronics association AeA announced it would honor in February California Assembly Republican Leader Dave Cox with the California High-Tech Legislator of the Year. This award recognizes Cox's contributions to support the recovery of the high-tech industry in California during the 2002 legislative session. The group also plans to honor five other California legislators with AeA California Technology Leader awards: Sen. Charles Poochigian, R-Fresno; Assemblyman John Dutra, D-Fremont; Assemblyman Tom Harman, R-Huntington Beach; Assemblyman Dennis Hollingsworth, R-Murrieta; and Assemblyman Abel Maldonado, R-Santa Maria. They are all recognized for their work on privacy, electronics recycling and protective orders, AeA said.
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