Profiles of Prospective Candidates to be FCC Chairman: Larry Strickling and Jessica Rosenworcel

WASHINGTON, April 4, 2013 – This week BroadbandBreakfast.com continues its series of profiles of many of the top prospective candidates that might be selected to serve as chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. Julius Genachowski, the 29th chairman, on Friday announced on March 22, that he would step down within a few weeks.

Larry Strickling, currently the Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, could see the chairmanship of the Federal Communications Commission in his future owing to his current standing advising President Obama on telecom policy.

The NTIA is deeply involved in crafting economic and telecom policy. Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, passed just one month after Obama took office, the NTIA was charged with implementing a major broadband stimulus measure, including compiling the National Broadband Map. Released in February 2011, the map’s development was facilitating by NTIA’s State Broadband Initiative, and it helps outline the current broadband availability around the United States.

Previously, Strickling served at the FCC as chief of the Common Carrier Bureau from 1998 to 2000. There, he was instrumental in promote competition in the telecommunications sector and implementing many of the key provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Strickling also previously served as associate general counsel in the FCC’s competition division.

Additionally, from 2000 to 2007, Strickling served in a variety of administrative roles around the country. Like outgoing Chairman Julius Genachowski, Strickling received his J.D. from Harvard Law School.

Current FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel is also frequently mentioned as a possible candidate for promotion to the chairmanship. Although Rosenworcel has less than a year’s experience at the FCC, she has a long telecommunications background. Commissioner Rosenworcel served as senior communications counsel for the Senate Commerce Committee under the Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.V. She previously served in the same role under the late Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii.

While at the Committee, Rosenworcel oversaw a telecommunications transactions, including spectrum auctions. Previously, she served as a legal advisor to previous Chairman Michael Copps.