Tom Wheeler is on the brink of being appointed as chair of the US telecoms regulator the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), according to government sources quoted in US media. An official announcement is expected today.
The venture capitalist and…
Tom Wheeler is on the brink of being appointed as chair of the US telecoms regulator the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), according to government sources quoted in US media. An official announcement is expected today.
The venture capitalist and Obama fundraiser was widely considered the favourite for the position. Sitting Democrat commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, who had received public support from 37 senators, was seen as the other frontrunner.
Wheeler takes the reins from Julius Genachowski who has chosen to leave after four years in the post. Commissioner Mignon Clyburn will take over as interim chair while Wheeler’s appointment is approved. New appointees to the FCC have to be confirmed by the Senate.
A former lobbyist, Wheeler was president of the National Cable Television Association (NCTA) from 1979 to 1984. From 1992 to 2004 he led the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA) as CEO.
He then joined venture capitalist firm Core Capital Partners in 2005 as MD where he has been up until now.
Lawyers in Washington DC that TelecomFinance spoke to in April were in support of Wheeler’s nomination. Described as “a long-time Washington hand”, one lawyer said he would do a “fine job” while another said he’d make a “very good” chairman.