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)