Obama Expected To Announce Tech Adviser As FCC Chair

January 14, 2009 3:12 a.m. EST

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - President-elect Barack Obama is expected to announce the appointment of Julius Genachowski, who was chair of the Obama campaign's technology, media and telecommunications policy working group, as head of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

A Harvard Law School classmate of Obama, Genachowski has worked in both the public and private sectors. He was chief of business operations and general counsel at Barry Diller's media conglomerate IAC/InterActive Corp., and was co-founder of D.C.-based venture captil firm, LaunchBox Digital. He was general counsel to the FCC chair when Reed Hundt headed the agency during the Clinton administration.

The 46-year-old, who also clerked for Supreme Court Justices David Souter and William Brennan, led the team that created the Obama campaign's Technology and Innovation Plan, which called for net neutrality and broader media ownership. He currently co-leads the Obama transition team's technology, innovation, and government reform group.

Genachowski was key to Obama's unprecedented use of technology during the presidential race, which has been cited by pundits as one of the reasons for the president-elect's successful campaign.

Last August, Obama used e-mail and text to announce that his choice for running mate. His fundraising relied heavily on small online donations, and totaled nearly $750 million, more than the combined amount raised by President George W. Bush and Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) in the 2004 election. Upon his election, Obama also became the first president to have video recordings of the weekly radio address.

Genachowski's nomination still has to be confirmed by the Senate, but this early news of his selection has been welcomed by the industry. The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has issued a statement saying, "Julius Genachowski has a keen intellect, a passion for public service, and a deep understanding of the important role that free and local broadcasting plays in American life. NAB salutes President-elect Obama on this superb choice to lead the FCC."