Douglas Sicker is the new chief technologist of the Federal Communications Commission.
Sicker will work in the Office of Strategic Planning and Policy Analysis and advise the agency on technological issues. He returns to the commission from the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he’s associate professor in the Department of Computer Science with a joint appointment in the Interdisciplinary Telecommunications Program. He recently served on the FCC’s broadband initiative working on matters related to research and development.
When he was at the commission previously, Sicker was chief of the Network Technology Division. After leaving the agency, he was the chair of the Network Reliability and Interoperability Council steering committee, an FCC federal advisory committee that focuses on network reliability, wireline spectral integrity and Internet peering and interconnection.
“I am delighted that Dr. Sicker is returning to provide the FCC with his broad and deep knowledge about the communications networks and technologies of today and tomorrow,” stated Chairman Julius Genachowski. “His technical expertise will help the FCC pursue policies that spur investment, create jobs, promote innovation and advance our nation’s global technology leadership.”
Sicker succeeds Jon Peha, who held the chief technologist position since 2008.
