Obama Weighs Choices for FCC Chairman

Who will the next Federal Communications Commission chairman be? Candidates include Julia Johnson, Mignon Clyburn, Blair Levin, Scott Blake Harris, Don Gips, and Larry Strickling. Some within the telecom industry expect Obama to appoint one of the FCC's current Democratic commissioners, most likely Michael Copps, to be an interim chairman until a candidate for the permanent job is selected, most likely in January. While Copps could stay on as the permanent FCC chairman, several Washington insiders view this as unlikely. The other Democratic commissioner, Jonathan Adelstein, a former Senate staffer, could take another position within the Obama Administration. Whoever makes the final cut may have to pass muster with Tom Wheeler, who according to one person familiar with the matter is expected to have a big say in selections for technology-related appointments in the Administration. Wheeler is currently managing director at private equity firm Core Capital Partners. Previously, he was CEO of the powerful CTIA - The Wireless Industry Association, which represents carriers like AT&T and Verizon Wireless. Prior to that, from 1979 to 1984, he was president of the National Cable and Telecommunications Association. Other key advisors include Julius Genachowski, previous FCC chairmen Bill Kennard and Reed Hundt, and former-FCC Commissioner Henry Rivera.