 | |
| |
TechnologyDaily Mobile
John Kneuer Keeps Interoperability Focus
by Heather Greenfield
John Kneuer will continue to be a voice promoting emergency communications systems that work across jurisdictions, though it will be in a new job. The former head of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration has joined Rivada Networks as senior vice president for strategic planning and external affairs.
Kneuer left his post as the principal telecom policy adviser to President Bush at NTIA in November. Kneuer worked closely with the FCC, Homeland Security Department, and state and local officials across the nation to develop solutions to the shortcomings in public-safety communications systems.
Rivada said he will be able to promote an interoperable, high-speed Internet solution that is available today, does not require new federal mandates or spectrum set-asides, and offers far greater range and capability at a fraction of the cost of other solutions.
"The most rewarding part of my public service was working with my federal, state and local counterparts to identify advanced technical solutions to difficult communications challenges," Kneuer said. "Joining Rivada Networks gives me the opportunity to continue to serve this important national and homeland security mission with the most advanced and efficient solution available."
Before joining NTIA, Kneuer was a senior associate at the law firm of Piper Rudnick. From 1997 to1998, he served as the executive director of government relations at the Industrial Telecommunications Association, and before that, he was an attorney-adviser in the commercial wireless division of the FCC.
Kerry Counsel Switches To Microsoft
Microsoft has a new counsel after snaring Barry LaSala away from Sen. John Kerry. LaSala has been Kerry's counsel on business and international trade issues. He is leaving Capitol Hill to become director of government affairs for Microsoft.
LaSala will help lead Microsoft's efforts in the Senate to open trade markets, strengthen the technology sector and the U.S. economy, protect children online, and provide security for adults on the Internet while also working to expand broadband access for all Americans.
"Barry's extensive work on telecommunications policy, the Internet, trade, innovation and competitiveness makes him an excellent addition to our team as we work to advance Microsoft's and the industry's agenda for delivering strong economic growth and innovation in the United States," said Jack Krumholtz, managing director of federal government affairs at Microsoft.
LaSala served as the counsel to the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, which Kerry chaired. He also advised Kerry on his work on the Commerce and Finance panels.
LaSala previously litigated international trade cases while an associate at Dewey Ballantine and also was a consultant to the AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department.
One Of 'Washington's Best' Joins Comcast
Kathryn Zachem is leaving Wilkinson Barker Knauer for Comcast, where she will be the vice president of regulatory affairs. Zachem has been a communications lawyer for 23 years and was a partner at Wilkinson Barker Knauer. During that time, she represented clients from nearly every segment of the communications sector, including media, wireline, wireless, satellite and Internet service providers.
She is listed in Chambers USA as one of the top 40 leading lawyers in the telecom, broadcast and satellite fields. She was just recently named by Washingtonian Magazine as one of "Washington's Best" lawyers practicing before the FCC.
David Cohen, the executive vice president of Comcast, said he appreciates her background with broad federal and state regulatory experience. "We are excited to have such a well-respected telecommunications authority joining the company," Cohen said.
Michael Nunes, meanwhile, is flying to Boeing just about a year after joining the Telecommunications Industry Association as its director of international and government affairs. Nunes came to TIA after leaving the International Trade Commission, where he most recently was economic adviser to then-Commissioner Jennifer Hillman.
During his time at TIA, Nunes served as chairman of the telecom subcommittee for the U.S.-India bilateral trade dialogue. He also helped craft the telecom language contained in the U.S.-South Korea trade agreement.
Nunes has more than a decade of experience in international trade and has worked extensively on telecom issues, first as an analyst with the Gartner Group in Mountain View, Calif., and later as a telecom services analyst for the ITC.
House Commerce Gets New GOP Counsel
Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee have a new general counsel. Panel ranking Republican Joe Barton of Texas has named Lance Kotschwar to replace David Cavicke.
Kotschwar comes from the law firm of Foley & Lardner, where his practice has been federal legislative and regulatory affairs focused on food, agriculture, energy and derivatives. But this won't be his first assignment on Capitol Hill.
Kotschwar was general counsel to the Senate Agriculture Committee from 2003 to 2005 and before that was chief counsel for the House Agriculture Committee from 1999 to 2003. He also was on general counsel staff at the Agriculture Department. In his previous positions, he was deeply involved in several landmark pieces of legislation, including the last two farm bills.
Cavicke will become Republican chief of staff for the committee.
The Republican National Committee, meanwhile, has hired Blair Latoff, a former press secretary to Pennsylvania Republican Sen. Arlen Specter. Latoff will be a regional press secretary handling the northeast for the RNC.
Kate Kelly in Specter's Senate office will handle press until Latoff is replaced.
Quote Of The Week
"I had to stay here in Washington to pass a clean energy bill that will make a down payment on the global-warming cuts needed to save the planet. But it was critical to show the leaders gathered in Bali that they have partners here in America who are deeply concerned about solving global warming and re-engaging the United States on the global stage."
-- Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., addressing an India climate-change summit via his avatar on Second Life because he said he needed to be in two places at once.
NEW FEATURE
-Advertisement-
-Advertisement-
-Advertisement-
