 | |
| |
TechnologyDaily Mobile
FCC Commissioners Announce Staff Changes
by Heather Greenfield
Days after the FCC announced rules for the auction of spectrum used in the digital transition, a staff member involved in that issue announced he is leaving to pursue other opportunities.
Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein said his senior legal adviser Barry Ohlson "has decided to begin considering other opportunities outside the commission" and that Scott Bergmann will take Ohlson's place.
Ohlson was formerly the chief of the policy division of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. Prior to that position, Ohlson served as a legal adviser to the Wireless Telecommunications bureau chief and as acting chief of the public safety and private wireless division. Ohlson was on vacation this week and Adelstein's office gave no indication what Ohlson planned to pursue after leaving the FCC.
Bergmann has worked for the FCC since 1996, and started working as a legal adviser to Adelstein in 2003. "He has worked with me for almost my full tenure at the commission, and his sound advice and counsel have been integral to my decision making," Adelstein said.
In addition to his new role as senior legal adviser, Bergmann will continue to advise Adelstein on wireline, broadband, and disability rights issues.
Bergmann previously served as legal counsel to the chief of the Wireline Competition Bureau, advising the bureau chief on competition policy and broadband issues. Prior to joining the bureau's front office, Bergmann was an attorney for the Industry Analysis Division, where he worked on a variety of local competition, broadband, and universal service matters.
Meanwhile, FCC Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate announced that Amy Blankenship is joining the commission as one of Tate's legal advisers on children, family and media issues.
Blankenship most recently served as counsel to Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., who serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee. In her most recent post, she participated in the confirmation hearings of two Supreme Court Justices, and oversaw legislation dealing with a variety of cultural and constitutional issues.
Before that, Blankenship worked for Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., providing counsel on judicial nominations.
"She will continue her commitment to helping shape sound public policy along with her deep commitment to public service," Tate said. "I welcome her counsel and experience in working with many industry sectors regarding important issues that confront children and families every day."
Bill Freedman, meanwhile, is leaving Tate's staff. He had been detailed to the Tate office from the Media Bureau, and will now return as associate chief of the Media Bureau.
"I, along with the entire commission, have benefited from Bill's in-depth subject matter knowledge and years of real-world experience over the past several months," Tate said. "I am gratified for his assistance to me and look forward to working with him in the future."
Comptel Executive Leaves For Law Firm
Comptel's vice president of legislative affairs is leaving an association that represents competitors to the dominant telecom companies to join the Lent Scrivner & Roth lobbying and consulting firm.
Leon had taken the position at Comptel that Robert McDowell held before becoming a member of the FCC.
Leon spent a decade on Capitol Hill working for two Democratic members of the New York delegation -- former Rep. Mike Forbes, who served on the Appropriations Committee, and Rep. Eliot Engel, who serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee.
He also worked for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., long before she rose to that position after the 2006 elections, and former Rep. Joe Kennedy, D-Mass.
Leon also has worked as a lobbyist for the American Association of Engineering Societies, advocating for greater federal research and development and better math and science education.
Crapo To Liaison With New Task Force
Senate Republicans announced members of a new Capital Markets Task Force charged with helping to ensure that capital markets remain competitive.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., named Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, to advise the Republican Caucus on the competitiveness of capital markets and help facilitate a dialogue between the Senate and the nation's capital markets community.
"Mike has been a leader on U.S. competitiveness issues throughout his tenure in the Senate, and his service on the two Senate committees of jurisdiction makes him uniquely qualified to lead this task force," McConnell said in a statement.
"Our capital markets are at a crossroads and there are major regulatory, tax, and liability questions which need to be addressed in order to ensure that U.S. capital markets remain competitive," Crapo said. "The competitiveness of our capital markets has a very significant impact on the health and growth of our economy."
CompTIA Elects Board Members
A senior executive at one of the world's largest technology distributors will lead the board of directors of the Computing Technology Industry Association in 2007-2008.
Brian Wiser, senior vice president of sales and vendor management in North America for Ingram Micro, was elected chairman of CompTIA's board at the association's annual Breakaway Conference in Las Vegas.
Wiser has held a variety of senior management positions over the past two decades with Ingram Micro including sales and marketing.
David Roberts, senior vice president of Americas sales for Websense, was elected as CompTIA's vice chairman of the board. M.J. Shoer, president and virtual chief technology officer for information technology services provider Jenaly Technology Group, will serve as secretary. Jim Wittry, director of operations for ATEN Technology, will become treasurer.
Hewlett-Packard Discusses Priorities
Two senior executives from Hewlett-Packard sat down with a small group of Washington, D.C.,-based journalists for a three-course meal at the National Press Club last Monday evening to discuss the company's federal policy priorities.
Gary Fazzino, HP's vice president of government Affairs, and David Isaacs, the company's director of government affairs, spoke about the importance of implementing policies that could spur research, innovation and competitiveness in the United States.
Issues of concern to HP include market access, the environment, energy efficiency, patent reform legislation, immigration issues, education and trade.
Fazzino said he believes the large number of technology associations in Washington holds the technology community back in getting its message across.
Quote of the Week
"No other legislation we will pass during this two-year session of Congress will do more to keep our brainpower advantage so we grow new American jobs here instead of shipping them overseas."
-- Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., speaking of competitiveness legislation, H.R. 2272, prior to the Senate's vote on the bill.
NEW FEATURE
-Advertisement-
-Advertisement-
-Advertisement-
