Genachowski Confirmed as FCC Chairman [Multichannel News] Yesterday was a huge news day with the tragic and sudden passing of Michael Jackson and the sad end of a courageous battle against cancer by Farrah Fawcett. In Washington regulatory circles, it also was a big day. The Senate unceremoniously approved, by unanimous consent, the appointment of Julius Genachowski as Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. It also approved the reappointment of Commissioner Robert McDowell to his first full, five-year term. He was previously serving the conclusion of former Chairman Michael Powell's term when he resigned the Commission.
In addition to these approvals, President Obama officially nominated Meredeth Attwell Baker to the other Republican seat and Mignon Clyburn to the final Democratic chair who, if approved will join Genachowski, McDowell, and Michael Copps to form the five-member board.
Genachowski brings to the job an impressive mix of legal, business, regulatory and political experience. A classmate of the President's at Harvard Law, he has worked in political campaigns, was a staff member for Senator Chuck Schumer, clerked for Supreme Court justices David Souter and William Brennan, worked for Barry Diller at his media company, IAC/InterActiveCorp, and served on the boards of Expedia, Hotels.com, and Ticketmaster.
Baker and Clyburn will go through the approval process, in a hearing by the Commerce Committee, yet to be scheduled. Baker is the former acting head of National Telecommunications and Information Administration where she is credited for stepping in and repairing the botched-up Federal coupon program that had run out of money during the digital transition. Clyburn is a South Carolina Public Service Commissioner.
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