The Federal Communications Commission says its Media Bureau has added three individuals to its front office staff and made one promotion.
Kalpak Gude has joined as an associate bureau chief; Julissa Marenco will serve as an assistant bureau chief; and Susan Singer was named chief economist. Holly Saurer was also promoted to associate bureau chief.
Gude comes to the Media Bureau from the Wireline Competition Bureau, where he was chief of the pricing division, handling inmate calling services, special access and inter-carrier compensation. Prior to joining the FCC in 2013, he was vice president and deputy general counsel of Intelsat. He is a graduate of the Indiana University School of Law and will primarily work on broadcast ownership.
Marenco, who most recently oversaw management and strategic direction of television and radio stations as president of ZGS Communications, Station Group, has 15 years of media, government and PR experience. She has a Master in Public Administration from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. She will focus on issues related to media ownership and the incentive auction.
Singer was formerly the chief economist of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. She also served in a variety of positions in the WTB’s Spectrum & Competition Policy Division, including as deputy chief, associate division chief, and chief of staff. During her 14-year WTB tenure, Singer worked on a variety of issues, among them the Verizon/SpectrumCo, AT&T/T-Mobile, and AT&T/Leap transactions. She holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Maryland. Singer will advise on economic issues related to broadcast ownership and merger reviews.
Saurer most recently served as senior counsel in the Media Bureau. Prior to that, she was acting legal advisor to Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel and an attorney-advisor in the Policy Division. She joined the FCC in 2006 and is a graduate of American University’s Washington College of Law. She will continue to work on issues pertaining to broadcast licensing and transactions.
