Monday, Acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel appointed P. Michele Ellison as Acting General Counsel and Joel Taubenblatt as Acting Chief of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau.
“Michele and Joel bring the perfect mix of experience and expertise to their new roles,” said Rosenworcel. “They both have a deep understanding of communications law and policy and a keen sense of initiative that will be invaluable as the agency takes on its work in the days ahead.”
Tom Johnson is stepping down as General Counsel and has agreed to continue to work in the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. Don Stockdale, currently chief of the bureau, will transition to the Office of Economics and Analytics. “Tom and Don are terrific public servants who have made real contributions to the work of the FCC,” said Rosenworcel. “I am grateful for their work on behalf of the American people.”
Ellison was most recently the agency’s Deputy General Counsel, a position she has held for most of her 25-year tenure. She managed the multi-billion dollar transactions, bankruptcy, and fraud portfolio. She was also the first woman of color to serve as the agency’s Chief of Staff, Chief of the Enforcement Bureau, and Acting General Counsel, according to the agency. Currently, she chairs the FCC’s Connect2Health Task Force, a multidisciplinary team created to advise the Commission on ways to address the broadband health gap and to move the needle on broadband and advanced health care technologies.
Taubenblatt was most recently Deputy Bureau Chief of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, a position he has held for one-third of his 25-year career with the FCC. He’s managed a range of issues regarding spectrum access and availability, network and infrastructure deployment, and intermodal and intramodal competition. Taubenblatt previously held several leadership positions in the bureau, including Chief of the Competition and Infrastructure Policy Division and Chief of the Broadband Division.
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