Thursday, May 23, 2013

Wheeler Nominated to Head FCC; Clyburn Named Acting Chair

Tom Wheeler has run two telecom lobbying groups, advised the FCC on emerging technology and written a book on telegraph history. Now, he has been nominated by President Obama to succeed Julius Genachowski as Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.


President Obama announces the nomination of
Tom Wheeler (right) as the next chairman of the
Federal Communications Commission.
(White House photo)

Acting FCC Chair Mignon Clyburn
(FCC photo)
The president compared Wheeler to athletes Jim Brown and Bo Jackson, pointing out that he is the only person ever named to both the cable television and wireless industry halls of fame. 

According to the ARRL Letter, Wheeler - who is currently a managing director for a venture capital firm in Washington - previously served as president of the National Cable Television Association (now the National Cable & Telecommunications Association) and as CEO of the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association. He is also chairman of the FCC's Technological Advisory Council and of the State Department's Advisory Committee on International Communications and Information Policy. He was also a fundraiser for both of Mr. Obama's presidential campaigns. 

Of particular interest to hams, the ARRL says Wheeler is also the author of Mr. Lincoln's T-Mails, a book about the 16th president's use of the telegraph.

President Obama named FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn to serve as Acting Chair until the Senate confirms Wheeler's nomination.