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President Names Michael Powell as FCC Chairman

Washington D.C., January 29, 2001 - President George W. Bush named the Federal Communications Commission’s Michael K. Powell to chair the FCC, following the resignation of William Kennard as FCC chair.

“I am deeply honored and privileged to have received President Bush’s designation to be Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission,” said Powell in a written statement released by the FCC January 22. “I look forward to working with the new administration, Congress, my fellow Commissioners and the very talented FCC staff on the important and challenging communications issues facing our Nation.”

Powell has been a commissioner at the FCC since 1997, when the U.S. Senate confirmed his nomination by then-President Bill Clinton. His current term with the FCC ends June 30, 2002.

Prior to assuming the FCC chair, Powell served as the FCC's Defense Commissioner and was responsible for overseeing all national security and emergency preparedness functions for the Commission. He also served as the FCC representative to the President's Council on Year 2000 Conversion, which was established by President Clinton on February 4, 1998, to address the Year 2000 computer issues.

Powell previously served as the Chief of Staff of the Antitrust Division in the Department of Justice. In that capacity, he advised the Assistant Attorney General on substantive antitrust matters, including policy development, criminal and civil investigations, and mergers. Prior to joining the Antitrust Division, he was an associate in the Washington, D.C. office of the law firm of O'Melveny and Myers LLP, where he focused on litigation and regulatory matters involving telecommunications, antitrust, and employment law.

Powell graduated from the Georgetown University Law Center in 1993 following which he served as a judicial clerk to the Honorable Harry T. Edwards, Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Before attending law school, from 1988 to 1990, he served as a policy advisor to the Secretary of Defense on matters involving the United States-Japan security relationship.

His experience also includes military service as an armor officer in the United States Army. He spent the majority of his active service with the 3rd Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment in Amberg, Germany, serving as a cavalry platoon leader and troop executive officer. While on duty, Powell was seriously injured in a training accident and, after spending a year in the hospital, was retired from service.

Powell graduated in 1985 from the College of William and Mary, located in Williamsburg, Virginia, with a degree in Government.

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