Personnel Notes

As the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) moves to implement its new authority to sell valuable radio spectrum via incentive auctions, it is seeking advice from a group of economists with expertise in auction design and competition policy.

The commission has retained a group of prize-winning economists led by Paul Milgrom, the Ely Professor of Humanities and Sciences at Stanford University. Milgrom, who is considered one of the foremost thinkers in auction theory and design, helped the FCC create its first spectrum auctions — which have served as a blueprint for similar auctions around the world.
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President Obama announced his intent to nominate Bill Baer to lead the Justice Department's antitrust division on Friday.

The Department of Justice announced on Friday the appointment of Luke McCormack as chief information officer, starting in late March.

As DOJ's top information technology official, McCormack will oversee the department’s technology infrastructure and systems. He will replace Vance Hitch, who left in August. Eric Olson has served as acting CIO since Hitch’s departure and will continue to serve as deputy CIO.

“Luke has the expertise needed to oversee the Justice Department’s information management and technology programs, and I am pleased to welcome him in this new role,” Deputy Attorney General James Cole said.

“I’m confident that under his leadership the department will continue to enhance its cybersecurity, enterprise network and law enforcement sharing programs in a cost-effective way – while fulfilling our most critical missions."

The Federal Communications Commission announced Thursday that Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau chief Joel Gurin will step down Feb. 17.

“I want to thank Joel for his work to harness technology to empower consumers with the information and tools they need in today’s rapidly evolving communications marketplace," said FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski. "We’ll miss Joel’s dedication as a stalwart advocate for consumers, working to solve real problems in smart ways.”

Gurin joined the commission in December 2009 to lead the Consumer and Government Affairs Bureau, which has tackled issues including bill shock, cramming and robocalls during his tenure. Kris Monteith, currently a deputy chief in the Media Bureau, will serve as acting bureau chief.

Facebook will add a former online strategist for the Republican National Committee to its campaign team, the firm announced Friday.

George Alafoginis will join Facebook next month to work on its campaign 2012 efforts. Alafoginis most recently worked at the consulting firm New Media Strategies, where he specialized in online grassroots activation and social media monetization.

Alafoginis previously served as deputy director for online strategy and technology deployment at the RNC. Prior to joining the RNC, he was a policy adviser at the Department of Energy, where he helped found a Facebook-like site for Capitol Hill at MyPoliticalWorld.com.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Alafoginis earned a B.A. in history from Dickinson College and an M.A. from Johns Hopkins University.

Former senior Federal Communications Commission official John Flynn has joined the Washington office of the law firm Jenner & Block.

Flynn previously served as senior counsel for transactions to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, where he led the FCC’s review of the merger of Comcast and NBC Universal. The joint venture of the two firms was eventually approved with a number of conditions, some of which drew criticism from the GOP.

“John will be a crucial part of our communications practice,” said Sam Feder, chairman of Jenner & Block’s communications practice and former FCC general counsel. “John’s high-level experience at the FCC, publicly traded communications and technology companies and the private bar are incredibly valuable.”

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski announced a series of personnel moves on Thursday in advance of the departure of his top aide at the end of the month.

Genachowski announced that chief counsel Zachary Katz will succeed Eddie Lazarus as chief of staff when Lazarus departs at the end of January. Katz was appointed chief counsel this summer after taking a leading role in formulating the commission's net-neutrality rules.

“As I know from working closely with Zac on many important initiatives, he has exceptionally good judgment, tremendous aptitude and the strong leadership qualities to serve as chief of staff," Genachowski said.

Katz earned his law degree from Yale, where he was editor in chief of the Yale Law Journal; before law school he worked with tech firms at a strategy consulting and investment firm in Silicon Valley.

Federal Communications Commission chairman Julius Genachowski's chief of staff will leave the agency in January, the Commission confirmed Wednesday.

“No one has done more than Eddie Lazarus to ensure that the FCC meets its vital mission to harness communications technology to benefit our economy and all Americans. Eddie has worked tirelessly to refocus the FCC on broadband Internet, and unleash its opportunities," Genachowski said. 

Lazarus served as an intermediary for lobbyists looking to weigh in policy issues and conducted negotiations on issues like net neutrality. Reports he was present at White House meetings where net neutrality was discussed were cited by House Republicans as evidence the controversial rules were politically motivated.

“His imprint is on so many of our initiatives: USF reform and the creation of the Connect America Fund; incentive auctions and other innovative policies to free up spectrum for licensed and unlicensed use; consumer empowerment around “bills shock” and increased consumer protection."

Lazarus came to the FCC from Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld. He previously  served as an assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California and began his legal career as a law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun.

Democratic Commissioner Michael Copps officially announced his resignation from the Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday, confirming his plans to depart at the end of the year.

“Yesterday, I submitted to the President notice of my intention to resign my post as Commissioner effective January 1, 2012. Should the Senate confirm my successor prior to that date, or should the Senate adjourn sine die before January 1st, I would of course be leaving sooner," Copps said in a statement.

An outspoken advocate for net neutrality, Copps has also taken the commission to task for not doing enough to promote diversity in the media and telecom industry during his decade-long tenure.

He has consistently opposed consolidation in media industry since joining the FCC in 2001 and was the only vote against approving the NBC Universal-Comcast deal.

"It has been a privilege and honor to serve for more than ten years as a Commissioner. The FCC is an agency of true excellence and its decisions are integral to our country’s future," Copps said.

Former Morgan Stanley managing director John Carlson has joined BITS, the technology policy division of the Financial Services Roundtable to lead cybersecurity initiatives for the financial industry.

Carlson re-joined the lobbying group on Thursday after working at BITS from 2002 until he left for Morgan Stanley in 2010. Prior to 2002 he served in the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency as director of bank technology. He has also worked for the Office of Management and Budget and the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.

“John’s leadership within the industry, at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and at the helm of public-private collaborations is broad, deep and well-respected,” said BITS president Paul Smocer. “John has been foundational to BITS’ success in the past and we are privileged to have him rejoin our staff.”

The financial industry is a leading candidate for regulation if Congress succeeds in passing comprehensive cybersecurity legislation. The Senate proposal would task the Department of Homeland Security with ensuring firms implement adequate safeguards, while the House GOP favors incentives for information sharing but no mandate.