A Federal Communications Commission official who was instrumental in pushing sweeping reforms in the U.S. telecommunications industry has been named the right hand man to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski.
Genachowski on Thursday announced the appointment of Zachary Katz -- currently the chairman's Chief Counsel -- to succeed Eddie Lazarus as his Chief of Staff when Lazarus departs the agency at the end of the month. Katz has played an integral role in recent reforms that the FCC implemented to subsidize broadband services through a "Connect America Fund" and modernize the intricate system by which telephone companies pay one another to terminate traffic. He joined the agency in 2009 from the White House Counsel's Office and previously practiced law at a Los Angeles law firm.
In related news, Genachowski announced that Michael Steffen will join the Chairman's office as his Legal Advisor. Steffen currently serves as Special Counsel in the Office of General Counsel.
With the recent departure of FCC Commissioner Michael Copps, the agency is currently comprised of only three representatives, Genachowski (Democrat) and commissioners Robert McDowell (Republican) and Mignon Clyburn (Democrat). Two nominees, Jessica Rosenworcel (Democrat) and Ajit Pai (Republican), are waiting to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
