President Joe Biden Announces Three FCC Nominees

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, May 22, 2023

Federal Communications Commission

President Joe Biden has announced his intent to nominate Anna M. Gomez for FCC Commissioner, filling the vacant Democratic seat. Concurrently, he renominated of Commissioner Geoffrey Starks -- who has served as a FCC Commissioner since 2017 -- and FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr. The nomination of Gomez would give the agency its first Democratic majority of Biden's term. Earlier this year, his previous nomination Gigi Sohn withdrew her name after more than two years of partisan deadlock.

Anna M. Gomez is a telecommunications attorney with extensive experience in domestic and international communications law and policy. She serves as a Senior Advisor for International Information and Communications Policy in the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy. Gomez served as the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Deputy Administrator from 2009 to 2013. Gomez also served for 12 years in various positions at the FCC, including as Deputy Chief of the International Bureau and as Senior Legal Advisor to then-Chairman William E. Kennard.

Gomez also served briefly as Counsel on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Subcommittee on Communication and as Deputy Chief of Staff of the National Economic Council during the Clinton Administration. Prior to joining the State Department in 2023, Gomez was a partner in Wiley LLP's telecommunications media and technology group. Gomez also was Vice president for Federal and State Government Affairs at Sprint Nextel and an Associate at Arnold and Porter.

Throughout his career, Geoffrey Starks has focused on creating access to high quality broadband for every American including rural America. While serving at the FCC he has worked to make networks more secure. Starks previously served as Assistant Bureau Chief of the FCC's Enforcement Bureau. Before joining the Commission in 2015, Starks served as Senior Counsel to the Deputy Attorney General at the U.S. Department of Justice, where he received the Department's highest employee service award, the Attorney General's Award for Exceptional Service.

Prior to his government service, Starks practiced law at Williams & Connolly. He earned his A.B. in Social Studies magna cum laude from Harvard College and his J.D. from the Yale Law School, where he served on the Yale Law Journal. He currently resides in Washington, DC with his wife, Lauren, and their two children.

Brendan Carr first joined the agency as a staffer in 2012. In his time on the Commission, Carr has focused on expanding affordable, high-speed Internet service to all Americans. Carr also leads a telehealth initiative at the FCC, the Connected Care Pilot Program, which supports the delivery of high-quality care to low-income Americans and veterans. Prior to his current role, Carr served as the FCC's General Counsel and before that as a staffer in multiple offices at the Commission.

Before joining the agency, Carr clerked for Judge Dennis Shedd on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and worked as a lawyer in the private sector. Carr earned his B.A. from Georgetown University and his J.D. magna cum laude from the Catholic University of America's Columbus School of Law where he served as an editor of the Catholic University Law Review. He lives in Virginia with his wife and three young boys.

"I want to extend my congratulations to Anna Gomez on her nomination by President Biden to serve on the Commission. Ms. Gomez's career demonstrates a longstanding commitment to public service-from her leadership in the State Department's Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy to her previous service as staff counsel in the U.S. Senate and roles at the FCC, White House, and National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). I would welcome the chance to work together as colleagues on policies that will protect consumers and promote the interests of all Americans," said Commissioner Carr.

"I am honored by President Biden's decision to renominate me as an FCC Commissioner. Sitting on the Federal Communications Commission has been the privilege of my career, and I look forward to continuing to serve the American people if reconfirmed. I also would like to congratulate Anna Gomez, and my colleague Brendan Carr, on their nominations today," said Commissioner Starks.

NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt said, "NAB congratulates Anna Gomez on her nomination by President Biden to serve as an FCC Commissioner. Ms. Gomez possesses a wealth of experience in media and telecommunications, most notably from her service as acting administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration during the nation's transition to digital television. With Next Gen TV launching in markets around the country, if confirmed, Ms. Gomez can bring her demonstrated ability to work with industry, manufacturers and consumers to help ensure a smooth and expeditious transition for millions of Americans.

"We applaud the Biden Administration's ongoing commitment to diversity and are eager to work with all the Commissioners on policies that better enable the broadcast industry to reflect the diverse communities we serve. NAB looks forward to the confirmation process and learning more about Ms. Gomez's commitment to the critical services local television and radio stations provide to their communities.

"NAB also congratulates Commissioners Carr and Starks on their renominations. Both have demonstrated an appreciation for the importance of a vibrant local broadcast industry, and a willingness to roll up their sleeves to better understand the impact posed by today's changed competitive landscape."