Tom Wheeler Nominated for FCC Chair
As widely reported yesterday, President Obama has nominated Tom Wheeler to replace Julius Genachowski as FCC Chairman. Wheeler, currently working for a venture capital firm (bio here, at least for now), was widely seen as the front runner for the position since the Chairman announced his intention to leave the Commission. Previously, Wheeler headed CTIA, the wireless industry trade group, and, before that, NCTA, the trade group for large cable providers. (President Obama called him the “Bo Jackson” of telecom because he is a member of both the wireless and cable industry’s hall of fame).
Wheeler must be confirmed by the Senate, and his nomination is expected to be paired with an as-yet undetermined replacement for Commissioner Rob McDowell, who also is leaving the Commission.
Pending Wheeler’s confirmation, Commissioner Mignon Clyburn will serve as acting chair of the FCC.
Tags: FCC, Mignon Clyburn, Tom Wheeler