The game of musical chairs at the Federal Communications Commission continued this week as FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski announced key staff changes.
First up, Genachowski named Sarah Whitesell to the media bureau as deputy chief.
In Whitesell’s new role, she will take the lead in helping to create the bureau’s media policies, including broadcast ownership, children’s issues and large media transactions.
Genachowski touted Whitesell’s “extensive experience in media and telecommunications,†and added she “will play a key role in promoting a vibrant media marketplace that serves the information needs of the American public.â€
Also this week, FCC announced Genachowski’s senior adviser for broadband, Phoebe Yang would be leaving the agency in December. She will join The Advisory Board Company, a healthcare and education service provider.
Yang was instrumental in developing FCC’s broadband policies as laid out in the agency’s national plan, and she also advised the administration on how to spur innovation in healthcare, energy and education through broadband policies.
Meanwhile, Genachowski this week was named to a list of the top 25 most influential people in wireless by Fierce Wireless. Ranking number 10 is a bit of a tumble from his first-place finish last year, but is still impressive considering the controversial stands he has taken and in some cases (such as net neutrality) lost – at least temporarily.
Chairman and CEO of Google Eric Schmidt took top honors this year.
