Personnel Notes

Laurie Knight, the top lobbyist for the National Association of Broadcasters, is leaving to join the Association of American Railroads (AAR) as senior vice president of government affairs, the groups announced Friday.

NAB President Gordon Smith said in a statement that the broadcasters will conduct an "exhaustive search" for Knight's successor. 

"NAB is in good hands with a solid group of government relations professionals who are in equal numbers Republicans and Democrats," he said. 

The AAR will be impressed with Knight's "political connections and work ethic," he said. 

Knight spent five years at NAB. Before that, she lobbied for the National Beer Wholesalers Association. She served as legislative director for former Rep. Jim Turner (D-Texas). 

The transition comes as the NAB fights some tough battles on the Hill and at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), where policymakers are pushing measures to devote TV airwaves to mobile broadband. The NAB says the policy is acceptable as long as broadcasters are not harmed.

At AAR, Knight will succeed Hubert “Obie” O’Bannon who will retire after 23 years with the association, the group said in an announcement.

Former NPR president and CEO Vivian Schiller will join NBC News as chief digital officer, months after she was reportedly forced to resign from the public broadcaster following a series of negative headlines.

In her new position, Schiller will report to NBC News president Steve Capus and lead digital strategy for both NBC News and MSNBC.

"With Vivian's help, NBC News will be recognized as the premier broadcast news organization in America, as well as the most innovative, comprehensive and trusted news operation,” Capus said.

“Her background in journalism, combined with expertise in the digital space will add a strong new pillar to the NBC News leadership team.”

Schiller left NPR in March after the release of a video by conservative activist James O'Keefe showing a top NPR fundraiser slamming the Tea Party and conservatives.

Former NPR president and CEO Vivian Schiller will join NBC News as chief digital officer, months after she was reportedly forced to resign from the public broadcaster following a series of negative headlines.

In her new position Schiller will report to NBC News president Steve Capus and lead digital strategy for both NBC News and MSNBC.

"With Vivian's help, NBC News will be recognized as the premier broadcast news organization in America, as well as the most innovative, comprehensive and trusted news operation,” Capus said.

“Her background in journalism, combined with expertise in the digital space will add a strong new pillar to the NBC News leadership team.”

Schiller left NPR in March after the release of a video by conservative activist James O'Keefe showing a top NPR fundraiser slamming the Tea Party and conservatives.

Librarian of Congress James Billington appointed Maria Pallante Register of Copyrights on Wednesday after she served in the position on an acting basis for the past five months.

The U.S. Copyright Office has been part of the Library of Congress since 1870 and serves as the main repository of U.S. authorship. Billington stressed the increasingly important role of copyright law in the online environment of the 21st century.

"Maria’s background and experience make her an ideal choice to lead the Copyright Office at this time," Billington said. "She is a thoughtful civil servant, a proven and effective manager, a leader in the wider copyright community and a recognized expert in domestic and international copyright law."

Pallante has held a number of positions in the Copyright Office including associate Register for policy and international affairs and deputy general counsel. She worked from 1999-2007 as intellectual property counsel and director of the licensing group for the worldwide Guggenheim Museums.

She has also helped lead two national author organizations, the National Writers Union and the Authors Guild. Pallante is a 1990 graduate of the George Washington University Law School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Misericordia University.

The Commerce Department announced Wednesday that former Microsoft executive Malcolm Lee will join the agency as Counselor to the Secretary and Director of the Office of Policy and Strategic Planning.

In his new position Lee will be the lead policy advisor to incoming Commerce Secretary John Bryson managing department-wide policy initiatives and strategic planning to support President Obama’s recent campaign to boost job growth and foster innovation.

“Malcolm’s record and success in government and the private sector, along with his international experience, give him instant credibility and a deep understanding of the issues businesses face working to grow and create jobs,” said Commerce Secretary Gary Locke in a statement.

“His leadership will be critical as we work to promote U.S. exports and help American businesses become more innovative at home and competitive abroad.”

Lee previously worked as general manager for policy, strategy and corporate affairs at Microsoft China in Beijing, where he led the firm's policy, regulatory, government and community affairs team in China.

President Obama named five individuals to the National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee on Thursday, including executives from Twitter, Microsoft and McAfee.

The committee convenes industry leaders to advise the White House on how to ensure communications remain available during any crisis. Membership typically includes representatives from the largest telecom firms.

The five new members are Scott Charney, corporate vice president of Microsoft's Trustworth Computing Group; Twitter CEO Dick Costolo; McAfee President Dave DeWalt; Terremark Federal Group President Jamie Dos Santos; and Neustar CEO Lisa Hook.

Costolo's appointment is particularly notable, as it signifies Twitter's rising importance as a provider of one of the fastest-growing real-time digital communications platforms. He previously worked as Twitter's chief operating officer and at Google after it acquired FeedBurner, which he founded in 2004.

Facebook is adding two Republicans from the Bush White House as it gears up for debate over consumer privacy legislation. 

Former Rep. Rick Boucher has joined Sidley Austin, a well-known law and lobby firm.

DISH Network announced Monday that former Sirius Satellite Radio executive Joseph P. Clayton will replace Charles Ergen as president and chief executive officer.

“I am very excited to take on this new challenge,” Clayton said in a statement. “My working relationship with Charlie spans nearly 20 years, and I look forward to building on DISH Network’s legacy of innovation and value in TV entertainment.”

The move will take effect June 20. Ergen will remain as chairman of the satellite television provider.

“Joe is a 38-year veteran of the consumer electronics, telecommunications and satellite communications industries and I am pleased to have him lead DISH Network as president and CEO,” Ergen said.

“Joe brings an enormous amount of executive-level experience in the satellite and consumer electronics industries, including positions at RCA, General Electric and Thomson, and we look forward to his leadership as we continue to deliver video entertainment into the future.”

Clayton previously served as CEO of Sirius from 2001 to 2004 and as chairman from 2004 to 2008. He also worked as president of Global Crossing North America and as president and CEO of Frontier Corp.

Commissioner Meredith Attwell Baker, a Republican, plans to join the Washington office of Comcast/NBC Universal.