NEWS
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).
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500
Internet: http://www.fcc.gov
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                News Media contact:
August 27, 2009                                             Jennifer Schneider at (202) 418-2000
COMMISSIONER COPPS ANNOUNCES STAFF CHANGE 
Commissioner Michael J. Copps announced today that Rick Chessen, his Senior Legal 
Advisor and advisor on media issues, will be leaving the Federal Communications Commission 
to serve as Senior Vice President, Law & Regulatory Policy, for the National Cable & 
Telecommunications Association.  
Commissioner Copps stated:
“I congratulate Rick Chessen on his appointment to an important private sector position.
Its gain is our loss. Rick has a most distinguished record of public service, capped by a stellar 
performance as Acting Chief of Staff of the FCC from January-June of this year. (I think 
perhaps he did too good a job and thereby attracted covetous looks from many outside 
government!) Rick not only took upon himself all the arduous tasks associated with being Chief 
of Staff, but devoted the second 24 hours of each uniquely Chessen day to shepherding the 
Digital Television Transition to the smoothest landing it could have made under the 
circumstances we inherited. Nobody in the public or private sectors knew so much about DTV 
as Rick and his knowledge saved the country a lot of heartache – it also saved the industry and 
the government from what otherwise would have been an enormous consumer backlash.  
“Rick’s clear-sighted intellect and deep commitment to the public interest made his one 
of the most productive careers ever at the FCC.  That’s saying a lot – but it’s saying it right. I 
believe he will take both these assets with him to his new assignment and thereby pave the way 
for better understanding and cooperation between the sectors. I am confident he will keep his 
eye focused on good policy outcomes wherever he is. Everyone in the Copps Office joins in 
wishing Rick and his wonderful family all good things on the road ahead.”
- FCC -