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Stockdale to Return to FCC to Head Wireless Telecommunications Bureau
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai intends to appoint Donald Stockdale as chief of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. This would mark a return to the agency for Stockdale, who’s an economist and attorney. The bureau develops policies to regulate wireless services, ranging from fixed microwave links to broadband data services on mobile phones to amateur radio. The bureau conducts auctions to award services licenses, and manages the tower registration process.
“Consumers around the world are increasingly relying on wireless services,” said Chairman Pai in announcing the change. “This makes it important for the FCC to get it right when it comes spectrum and infrastructure, the building blocks of advanced wireless networks.”
Stockdale will work closely with Nese Guendelsberger who has been acting bureau chief; she will continue to help lead the bureau as senior deputy bureau chief. Meanwhile, Chairman Pai intends to appoint James Schlichting, now senior deputy bureau chief in the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, to the same position in the International Bureau, which will be heavily involved in regulating 5G services.
Stockdale rejoins the Commission from Bates White Economic Consulting where he has been a partner. Stockdale first joined the FCC’s then-Common Carrier Bureau (now the Wireline Competition Bureau) in 1994 as an attorney advisor and later as deputy division chief and associate bureau chief for economics. Later he was deputy bureau chief and chief economist for the Wireline Competition Bureau until he left the agency in 2011.
AMT Exec Elected WIA Board Chair
American Tower Corporation EVP and president of the U.S. Division Steven Marshall is the new chairman of the board of the Wireless Infrastructure Association. Marshall, who’s been a board member since 2010, was elected to the new post, WIA announced yesterday. The voting actually took place before the Wireless Infrastructure Show in late May. Members had a month to vote via electronic ballot.
WIA President/CEO Jonathan Adelstein says Marshall has an “unparalleled” understanding of the wireless industry. “WIA remains the industry’s leading voice in Washington and around the country. Steven’s experience and leadership will provide valuable guidance to WIA and our members as we build the foundation for a stronger mobile future.”
Marshall joined American Tower in 2007, as Executive Vice President, International Business Development. Before that, he was Chief Executive Officer of National Grid Wireless, a leading telecommunications and broadcast infrastructure provider in the United Kingdom. Continue Reading
John Robinson Joins HSE Tower Division
Robinson joins Hodge Structural Engineers, Inc. following a 23-year career as Senior Engineer, Structural Division at ERI – Electronics Research, Inc. As Principal Structural Engineer for HSE, Robinson will supervise the engineering analysis, design and specialty services/structures for Communications and Broadcast clients. HSE specializes in the art of engineering buildings, industrial structures, special structures, broadcast towers and above-ground steel storage tanks and foundations.
HSE Principal and Owner Gray Hodge stated, “The growth of our tower division has been phenomenal. John Robinson’s expertise in tower and antenna design and analysis, along with his knowledge of the TIA Standard, expands and enhances the services we offer to our clients.”
A Professional Engineer licensed in 18 states, Robinson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in both Civil and Mechanical Engineering, and a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, from the University of Evansville. He is a member of the Telecommunications Industry Association T.R. 14 Committee and contributing author of the current TIA-222 and 322 Design Standards.
Robinson collaborated with Ernie Jones, PE (1950-2015), Founder and President of Consolidating Engineering, Inc., authoring the Engineering Standard for Gin Poles. Sadly, Ernie was killed following a tragic accident in October 2015. HSE purchased Consolidated Engineering, Inc. in February of 2016.
Senate Commerce Vets NTIA Nominee Today
The administration’s nominee to be Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information for the Department of Commerce and Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration is slated to appear at a confirmation hearing at 10 a.m. EST today before the Senate Commerce Committee. NTIA oversees government telecommunications and spectrum.
Republican David Redl was most recently a staffer for the House Energy and Commerce. Prior to that, he was director of regulatory affairs for CTIA, the Wireless Association.
Redl says throughout his career he’s worked to promote the availability of broadband and improve spectrum use and efficiency. His top NTIA priorities will be modernizing federal spectrum systems for federal and non-federal users, improving broadband availability and “addressing the needs of the digital economy” in written answers to committee questions.
Europe, Middle East, Africa Corporate Moves for American Tower
American Tower shuffled positions on its executive team to support growth in its Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) regional operations. Effective July 1, Stephen Harris, who is now CEO of EMEA, becomes Chairman of ATC Europe and Leah Stearns, now SVP, Treasurer and Investor Relations, will assume a rotational assignment as CEO of EMEA. During Leah’s assignment, Tom Bartlett, EVP and Chief Financial Officer, becomes Treasurer and Igor Khislavsky, Director of Investor Relations, will lead AMT’s Investor Relations team.
TIA Names CEO
The Telecommunications Industry Association has a new Chief Executive Officer. Wes Johnston comes to the association representing manufacturers and suppliers of high-tech networks from the private equity firm The Gores Group, where he was Managing Director for Technology, Media and Telecommunications.
TIA says his selection is part of a broader strategic initiative to invest in, and stay ahead of, the changing needs of members and rapid industry advancements. In addition to his hiring, TIA recently enhanced its leadership team, adding four senior executives with communications industry, government, and association experience.
Johnston will join with other industry executives at TIA’s Connectivity Jam, June 5-7, in Dallas. The event is a gathering of senior leaders who will tackle the challenges of connectivity related to the Internet of Things, smart cities, the future of television, network infrastructure and investment and security.
USTelecom Names VP of Government Affairs to Lobbying Team
Jeremy Pederson joined USTelecom as a Vice President of Government Affairs. He comes from Frontier Communications, where he was a Senior Manager of Federal Legislative Affairs. Pederson has a connection to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai; he clerked for Pai before the commissioner became the agency’s leader.
USTelecom CEO Jonathan Spalter called Pederson’s background “a trifecta of policy experience.” Joining Frontier, Pederson was a legislative counsel to Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), who’s on the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, part of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Sioux Falls Tower & Communications Breaks Ground
Employees and associates gathered to celebrate the ground breaking for the new corporate office for Sioux Falls Tower and Communications on Tuesday, May 30, 2017.
President & CEO, Craig Snyder, kicked off the ceremony by talking about their humble beginnings and Sioux Falls Tower’s successes within the past 30 plus years, “Faith and perseverance have been common themes that have helped us get to this point within the organization.” He further expressed that this building stands as a symbol of that growth and heritage.
The new building will be 25,000 square feet located at the corner of N. Northview Ave and W. 54th St. North near the Sanford sports complex. It will sit on six acres of land that will allow for growth and a state-of-the-art training facility. Continue Reading
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