President-elect Barack Obama has reportedly selected former FCC staffer and IAC/InterActiveCorp executive Julius Genachowski to be the next chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.
Genachowski is already serving on Obama's transition team and most recently worked as a venture capitalist in Washington.
Genachowski was chief counsel at the FCC under Reed Hundt, who was FCC chairman from 1993 to 1997, and held executive positions at Internet firm IAC/InteractiveCorp.
“Under Julius Genachowski's leadership, the FCC's compass would point toward the public interest," Ben Scott, policy director of Free Press, said in a statement. “The challenges facing the next FCC are enormous [and] Genachowski promises to provide the strong leadership we need."
Other D.C.-based interest groups also praised the selection.
“As the architect of President-elect Obama's Technology and Innovation Plan, it is clear that he understands the importance of open networks and a regulatory environment that promotes innovation and competition to a robust democracy and a health economy," Gigi Sohn, president and co-founder of Public Knowledge, said in a statement.
“Genachowski's role as a trusted confidant and personal friend to the president-elect portends favorably for the high-tech and communications industries and consumers," said Ed Black, the president and CEO of the Computer & Communications Industry Association. “At the same time, Genachowski's experience as advisor and counsel to two former FCC chairmen has likely imbued in him a respect for the requisite independence of the position when appropriate."
“The role of the FCC has never been more significant to more Americans, and we wish Mr. Genachowski well in taking on today's historic challenges," said American Cable Association president and CEO Matthew M. Polka. “The next several years will present opportunities and obstacles in the technology and communications industries, including the coming DTV transition and the Government's effort to deploy broadband in underserved areas."
Genachowski is already serving on Obama's transition team and most recently worked as a venture capitalist in Washington.
Genachowski was chief counsel at the FCC under Reed Hundt, who was FCC chairman from 1993 to 1997, and held executive positions at Internet firm IAC/InteractiveCorp.
“Under Julius Genachowski's leadership, the FCC's compass would point toward the public interest," Ben Scott, policy director of Free Press, said in a statement. “The challenges facing the next FCC are enormous [and] Genachowski promises to provide the strong leadership we need."
Other D.C.-based interest groups also praised the selection.
“As the architect of President-elect Obama's Technology and Innovation Plan, it is clear that he understands the importance of open networks and a regulatory environment that promotes innovation and competition to a robust democracy and a health economy," Gigi Sohn, president and co-founder of Public Knowledge, said in a statement.
“Genachowski's role as a trusted confidant and personal friend to the president-elect portends favorably for the high-tech and communications industries and consumers," said Ed Black, the president and CEO of the Computer & Communications Industry Association. “At the same time, Genachowski's experience as advisor and counsel to two former FCC chairmen has likely imbued in him a respect for the requisite independence of the position when appropriate."
“The role of the FCC has never been more significant to more Americans, and we wish Mr. Genachowski well in taking on today's historic challenges," said American Cable Association president and CEO Matthew M. Polka. “The next several years will present opportunities and obstacles in the technology and communications industries, including the coming DTV transition and the Government's effort to deploy broadband in underserved areas."
