*Pages 1--2 from Microsoft Word - 37586* NEWS Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th Street, S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D. C. Circ 1974). News Media Information 202 / 418- 0500 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov TTY: 1- 888- 835- 5322 For Immediate Release: News Media contact: April 19, 2004 Rosemary Kimball at (202) 418- 0511 e- mail: rkimball@ fcc. gov FCC ESTABLISHES NEW OFFICE OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS; SUE MCNEIL NAMED CHIEF Washington, DC – The FCC has established an Office of Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA) in the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB). Sue McNeil, currently CGB’s Special Counsel for Intergovernmental Affairs, has been named to head the new office. IGA will be a liaison to state, local, and tribal governments, and other federal regulatory agencies. It will foster a better understanding of FCC programs, policies, rules and decisions, facilitate a two- way exchange of information and communications on telecommuni- cations issues and promote cooperation and coordination in areas of overlapping jurisdiction. In addition to ongoing intergovernmental affairs outreach, IGA will be responsible for overseeing the work and activities of the Commission’s Intergovernmental Advisory Committee, designing and implementing the Commission’s Indian Telecommunications Initiatives (ITI) and providing staff support to the Federal/ State Joint Conference on Advanced Telecommunications Services. Previously, the intergovernmental affairs function had been handled informally in the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau’s front office. Ms. McNeil joined the FCC as Special Counsel for Intergovernmental Affairs in January 2003. In a previous tour with the FCC, she served as Legal Advisor to the Auctions Division Chief in the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau from 1994- 1996. Before returning to the FCC, she served as Senior Attorney for Federal Regulatory Affairs (International Telecommunications) at Sprint Corporation and Director for Government Affairs at Lucent Corporation. Ms. McNeil was also an Associate at Latham & Watkins and served as an aide to U. S. Senator Harry Reid and U. S. Representative Henry Waxman. Noting Ms. McNeil’s extensive experience in both government and the private sector, CGB Chief K. Dane Snowden said, “I am delighted to have someone with Sue’s experience heading this important new office. The IGA, under Sue’s direction, will play an important role in ensuring efficient and effective cooperative efforts with our state, local and tribal partners.” 1 She received her J. D., cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center and her B. A. in political science from Duke University. - FCC - 2