Bush Names Powell to Lead FCC

There was late word from the White House Monday that new president George W. Bush has designated fellow Republican FCC Commissioner Michael Powell to be chairman of the agency.
“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,” stated Powell.
On the biggest issue facing radio this year, LPFM, Powell favored a gradual phase-in of the program and supported an economic study of the new station’s economic impact on existing small mom-and-pop facilities.
Of Powell’s designation, NAB President/CEO Eddie Fritts called Powell “an outstanding choice” who “has demonstrated a keen intellect and a firm grasp on public policy issues.
Before he left the job last week, outgoing Chairman Bill Kennard said he would as a telecom advisor for the Aspen Institute, the same think tank former chairman Reed Hundt toiled for when he left office.