Following Julius Genachowski's recent decision to step down as Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, President Barack Obama today announced that he has chosen Tom Wheeler to fill the position. Wheeler previously worked as the Managing Director at venture capital firm Core Capital Partners and has sat on the boards of companies such as Roundbox, UpdateLogic and Earthlink. He's also served as President of the National Cable Television Association (NCTA) from 1979 to 1984 and CEO of the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA) between 1992 and 2004.
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski has released a statement on Wheeler's nomination, explaining that he's known Wheeler for nearly 20 years and that he appointed Wheeler to the position of Chairman of the FCC's Technological Advisory Board in 2010. Genachowski went on to say that he feels that Wheeler is a "superb choice" for the FCC's Chairman position because of his knowledge of policy and his experience as a technology investor. "Tom will be a great FCC Chairman, and I urge his swift confirmation," Genachowski said.
Along with his nomination of Wheeler as FCC Chairman, President Obama has tapped FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn to be Acting Chairwoman until Wheeler can be confirmed. Genachowski also had some words to say about Clyburn, describing her as a "strong, experienced, and thoughtful leader."
Via Engadget, Mobile Musings, FCC
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