Moving Day at FCC: Adelstein Out, Genachowski In

WASHINGTON, June 29, 2009 – As newly minted Federal Communications Commission chairman Julius Genachowski and his senior staff took possession of their eighth floor suite at FCC headquarters on Monday, commissioner Jonathan Adelstein took his leave of the agency to begin the process of confirmation to run the Agriculture Department’s Rural Utilities Services.

Genachowski’s first public statement as chairman praised Adelstein for “more than six years of outstanding public service.” Adelstein “has tirelessly championed the public interest throughout his tenure,” he said.

Commissioner Michael Copps called Monday “a day of welcome and farewell” as the commission welcomed a new chairman while saying goodbye to a veteran public servant. Genachowski will have a “public-spirited and distinguished tenure as Chairman,” Copps said. But saying goodbye to Adelstein made for a difficult day, Copps lamented.

Regardless of location, Copps and Genachowski will have ample opportunity to work with Adelstein in his new role, Copps noted. “I look forward to our continuing work together and to our friendship through the years.”