Technology executive Julius Genachowski is President Barack Obama's choice for chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Genachowski, who worked on Obama's transition team as a technology adviser, served as chief counsel to former FCC Chairman Reed Hundt during former President Bill Clinton's administration.Los Angeles Times: Obama to name Julius Genachowski as FCC chief Obama nominated Genachowski for the position of FCC chairman on March 3, 2009.Washington Post: Julius Genachowski Nominated to Chair FCC (March 3, 2009)
DTV Transition Challenge
If confirmed by the U.S. Senate as FCC chairman, Genachowski would oversee the U.S. transition from analog to digital television. In early January 2009, Obama urged Congress to delay the switchover, which was set for February 17, 2009. In a letter to Congress, Obama transition team co-chair John Podesta said that the program established to provide money for consumers making the switch ran out of money.FOXNews.com: Obama: Let's Postpone Digital-TV Switch (January 8, 2009)
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Fast Facts
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Born
August 19, 1962
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Has held executive positions at IAC/InterActiveCorp, a media conglomerate which owns a variety of Web sitesCNET: Obama picks Net neutrality backer as FCC chief (March 3, 2009)
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Worked for President Obama during the 2008 election campaign as a technology adviser
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Assisted President Obama in writing a technology plan of which one aspect is high-speed Internet availability to rural and under served areasWashington Post: Julius Genachowski Nominated to Chair FCC (March 3, 2009)
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Graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School
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Served with Obama on the Harvard Law Review
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