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Federal Communications Commission
445 12th 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).
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                  News Media contact:
March 29, 2007 Scott Deutchman (202) 418-2000
COMMISSIONER COPPS ANNOUNCES STAFF APPOINTMENT
Commissioner Michael J. Copps announced today that FCC veteran Rick Chessen
would be joining his staff as Senior Legal Adviser effective April 5.  Chessen is presently 
serving as Associate Chief of the Media Bureau.
"I am enormously pleased that Rick is joining my team," Copps said.  "He knows 
how this place works, he understands media as few people anywhere do, and he possesses 
the intellect and good judgment to help guide us through an array of proceedings that will 
have a lot to do with how well our country meets and masters the challenges of the digital 
age."
In addition to his senior legal adviser responsibilities, Chessen will be the staff 
lead in handling media issues, although Copps emphasizes that in such an important area 
as media, each member of his team is involved in an "all-hands on-deck" approach.
Chessen, who holds a BA from the University of Wisconsin and a JD from 
Harvard Law School, first joined the FCC in 1994.  Among the positions he has held, 
Chessen served as Senior Legal Adviser to Commissioner Gloria Tristani from 1997 until 
March 2000.  From 2001 until 2005, he chaired the Commission's Digital Television 
Task Force which focused on the myriad regulatory and technical issues relating to the 
DTV transition.  His important DTV work was recognized in 2006 when the Academy of 
Digital Television Pioneers presented him its President's Award.  In his current capacity 
as Associate Bureau Chief, Chessen has been responsible for overseeing the Video 
Services and Engineering Divisions and managing numerous media-related proceedings.
The remainder of Copps' team remains the same, with Bruce Gottlieb serving as 
Wireless and International Legal Adviser; Scott Deutchman as Competition and 
Universal Service Legal Adviser; Carolyn Conyers as Confidential Assistant; and Renee 
Coles as Staff Assistant.  
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