Introducing BroadbandCensus.com's People Column: Facebook Makes Changes

Giving Tech A Voice

As Facebook increases its Washington presence, Andrew Noyes will be putting the pen down to join the company next month as manager of public policy communications. Noyes has been a reporter for National Journal Group since 2006 where he worked first for the now-dead Technology Daily publication, and later for CongressDaily. He also served as an associate editor for Communications Daily and associate managing editor for Washington Internet Daily. Noyes has a master's degree in journalism and public affairs and a bachelor's degree in public communication from American University. He has his own Facebook page so it might be time to send him a poke!

Also on the Facebook team is Tim Sparapani, director of public policy, and Adam Conner. Sparapani was a former senior legislative counsel from the American Civil Liberties Union.

Google has made a few small changes on its communications team.

In the portions of this story included below as premium content, BroadbandCensus.com describes some of the changes at Google, as well as other personnel changes in the government realm, and among major players in the broadband and communications realms.

Content available for Paid and Trial Subscribers of BroadbandCensus.com Weekly Report. Click here to subscribe.

[private_Premium Content][private_Free Trial]Adam Kovacevich is now leading all of Google's public policy and communications issues while Bob Boorstin has moved over to the policy side to lead Google’s work on free expression issues. Meanwhile, Mistique Cano has been hired to take over Kovacevich’s previous responsibilities as manager of global communications and public affairs.

Also in the public relations space, Bradford Williams has joined VeriSign as a vice president of worldwide corporate communications. He was previously vice president of corporate communications at Yahoo until April and has served as a vice president of communications at eBay.

Meanwhile, last month Dewey Square Group announced that it has hired former Microsoft communications guru Ginny Terzano to lead the group’s communications practice. Terzano succeeds Dewey Square principal Kiki McLean. Microsoft has not yet announced a replacement for Terzano.

In The Government Space

During the FCC’s monthly meeting Thursday, FCC Commissioner Meredith Attwell Baker announced that Bradley Gillen, Charles Mathias and Christi Shewman will serve as her legal advisors. Millie Kerr will serve as Baker’s confidential assistant and staff attorney.

Gillen, who earned his law degree from University of Virginia School of Law, has served as a senior counsel for Dish Network and worked in the communications group at Wiley Rein LLP. Mathias, who will focus on public safety issues, recently served as an associate bureau chief in the wireless bureau at the FCC. He has worked in senior legal and government relations positions at Lucent Technologies and Bechtel and as a corporate lawyer for Ropes & Gray LLP. Mathias also earned his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law.

Big Shots Take On New Roles

The National Association of Broadcasters has nabbed Gordon Smith to be its new president and CEO beginning next month. Smith served in the Senate from 1996 to 2008.

Former Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin has joined Patton Boggs where he will be overseeing the firm’s technology and communications practice with Jennifer Richter.

The Progress & Freedom Foundation named its longtime staffer Adam Thierer as its new president this month. Thierer succeeds Ken Ferree. Thierer will have a lot on his plate as PFF has struggled over the years with financial issues and high staff turnover.

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