U.S. Senate Confirms Geoffrey Starks, Brendan Carr to FCC

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, January 3, 2019

Geoffrey Starks

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Geoffrey Starks as an FCC Commissioner and FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr to a full term. President Trump nominated Starks to fill the FCC seat occupied by Mignon Clyburn, a Democrat, who announced in April, 2018 she would leave the Commission. Her term officially ended in June, 2017. Starks previously served as the Assistant Bureau Chief in the agency's Enforcement Bureau.

Carr was re-nominated for a full five-year term by President Trump in January, 2018. Before being sworn in last August, 2017, as a Commissioner to fill a vacant Republican slot, Carr served as the agency's general counsel. Prior to becoming general counsel in January, 2017, he was FCC Charman Pai's legal advisor for wireless, public safety and international issues. Before joining the FCC, Carr worked as a telecommunications attorney at the Wiley Rein law firm, where his clients included AT&T, Verizon Communications and USTelecom.

In a statement FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said, "I congratulate Geoffrey on his Senate confirmation. He brings a wealth of experience and expertise, including having served most recently as Assistant Chief in the Enforcement Bureau. During his confirmation hearing, I was excited to hear him highlight the need to expand rural broadband and the power of telemedicine. I look forward to working with him and having a fellow Kansan on the Commission.

"I also congratulate Brendan on his confirmation to a full term. Brendan has done tremendous work on a number of issues, including his leadership on wireless infrastructure modernization. He has also been a staunch advocate for rural broadband deployment, particularly for precision agriculture and advancements in telemedicine."

NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith said, "NAB strongly supports the confirmation of Geoffrey Starks to a seat on the FCC and Brendan Carr's confirmation for a full five-year term. These are two dedicated public servants with a firm grasp on telecommunications policy that will serve the American people well. Broadcasters look forward to working with an FCC that now has its full complement of five members."