WASHINGTON — Julius Genachowski, a venture capitalist who served as a technology advisor to President-elect Barack Obama's presidential campaign, has been tapped to head the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), according to several reports.
In its Tuesday (Jan. 13) edition, the Washington Post reported that congressional sources confirmed that Genachowski, 46, was the President-elect's choice to head the FCC.
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Julius Genachowski is expected to head the FCC |
The newspaper also cited sources close to the Obama transition team as saying the President-elect was prepared to offer Genachhowski either the FCC job or name him chief technology officer in the Obama administration. The CTO job would not include policy-making authority, the Post reported, prompting Genachowski to accept the FCC chairmanship.
Genachowski served as chief counsel to Reed Hundt, FCC chairman during the Clinton administration. Genachowski later co-founded Rock Creek Ventures.
While Genachowski's nomination is not expected to be announced until later this week, industry groups were already praising the selection. "The next several years will present opportunities and obstacles in the technology and communications industries, including the coming DTV transition and the government's effort to deploy broadband in underserved areas," Matthew Polka, president of the Pittsburgh-based American Cable Association, said in a statement. "Mr. Genachowski's record of accomplishments and reputation within the industry make him a good choice as chairman."
