Policymakers

The Government Accountability Office's Science and Technology Assessment and Analytics group, created in 2019,  is ramping up its work: It wants to double its current ranks of about 70 people providing technical assessments to Congress on topics such as artificial intelligence in health care or 5G wireless. “At such a time as this, you can't avoid” tech issues, said Tim Persons, GAO's top scientist tasked with leading the group. "There's so much disruption going on and so much potential for good in solving our complex adaptive systems problems of the day.

ITTA-The Voice of America's Broadband Providers "will be shutting its doors effective January 31, 2020 after over a one-quarter century representing wireline communications service providers in Washington." ITTA cited "financial constraints in the wireline service provider sector" for shutting its doors, saying those financial challenges had been "insurmountable." Broadband providers still have a voice via ACA Connects, which represents smaller and midsized providers, NCTA-The Internet & Television Association, NTCCA-The Rural Broadband Association, USTelecom, CTIA and others. 

The fifth Charles Benton Digital Equity Champion Award is officially open for nominations! Two awards will be given: One will recognize an outstanding individual who has truly made a difference in the field of digital equity; the other will acknowledge an up-and-coming digital inclusion practitioner. The award will be presented in April at Net Inclusion 2020 in Portland, Oregon, by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA).

Jessica J. González assumed the role of co-CEO of Free Press and Free Press Action. She will be joining Co-CEO Craig Aaron, who has served as the organizations’ leader since 2011. For the past three years, Jessica has served as the organizations’ vice president of strategy and senior counsel. Before joining Free Press, Jessica was the executive vice president and general counsel at the National Hispanic Media Coalition. 

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai announced his intent to appoint Paul A. Jackson as director of the FCC’s Office of Legislative Affairs. Jackson will replace Tim Strachan, who will continue his work at the FCC in the Office of General Counsel.

President Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate John Chase Johnson of Oklahoma, to be the Inspector General at the Federal Communications Commission. Johnson is an attorney at Covington & Burling LLP, where he practices in the commercial litigation and government contracts groups. He also serves as a Major and Military Judge in the US Marine Corps Reserves. Before joining Covington, Johnson served on active duty in the US Marine Corps and deployed to Afghanistan. He clerked for Judge Edith Clement of the Fifth Circuit and Judge Victor Wolski of the Court of Federal Claims.

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai announced the appointment of D’wana Terry as acting director of the FCC’s Office of Workplace Diversity. The Office of Workplace Diversity ensures that the FCC provides employment opportunities for all persons regardless of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, or sexual orientation.

Federal Communications Commissioner Geoffrey Starks announced the appointment of Diane Holland as Legal Advisor covering media and consumer protection issues. Holland was most recently the Senior Advisor for Technology and Telecom at the Washington Bureau of the National Urban League, where she developed strategic advocacy and analysis in support of the organization’s goals to provide economic empowerment, educational opportunities, and the guarantee of civil rights to the underserved in urban communities.

A Q&A with Detroit director of digital inclusion Joshua Edmonds.

President Donald Trump has promoted a central figure in the House impeachment inquiry who defied a subpoena to testify. Robert Blair — a top aide to acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney — was named the special representative for international telecommunications policy, a position that puts Blair in a central role atop a US effort to “promote a secure and reliable global telecommunications system.” “In this new capacity, Mr. Blair will support the Administration’s 5G efforts led by the Assistant to the President for Economy Policy, Larry Kudlow,” the White House said in a statement. “Mr.