NEWS News media Information 202 / 418-0500Fax-On-Demand 202 / 418-2830 TTY 202/418-2555Internet: http://www.fcc.govftp.fcc.gov 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 October 2, 2009 Jen Howard, (202) 418-0506 Jen.Howard@fcc.gov FCC CHAIRMAN JULIUS GENACHOWSKI ANNOUNCES KEY STAFF IN WCB, WTB, AND CGB Washington, D.C. -- Today, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski announced key senior staff at the agency, including: Wireline Competition Bureau Deputy Chiefs Catherine Seidel and John Branscome, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Deputy Chief Monica Shah Desai, and Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau Deputy Chief Mark Stone. “These exceptional individuals have extensive experience in the private sector and in public service, including here at the FCC,” said Chairman Genachowski. “With their help, the agency will pursue policies that advance a robust 21st century infrastructure, unleash innovation and job creation, protect consumers, and promote competition.” Deputy Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau, Catherine Seidel: Ms. Seidel has been at the FCC for more than 15 years. Most recently, Ms. Seidel served as Chief of the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, a position she held since January 2007. Previously, she was the Acting Chief of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB), and also has served as a Deputy Bureau Chief and Chief of Staff for the WTB. In addition to her senior management experience in the WTB, she has served as the Chief of the Telecommunications Consumers Division in the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau and has held positions in the former Common Carrier Bureau and the Mass Media Bureau. Prior to joining the Commission in 1993, Ms. Seidel worked at Bell Atlantic for almost ten years. She holds a J.D. degree from the University of Maryland Law School, a Master's degree in Administrative Sciences from the Johns Hopkins University, and a B.S. in Economics from Colorado State University. Deputy Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau, John Branscome: Mr. Branscome has been at the FCC for nine years. He most recently served as Chief of the Spectrum and Competition Policy Division, and for the past year, Mr. Branscome was detailed to U.S. Senator Amy J. Klobuchar as counsel for communications and intellectual property matters. He also has served as acting legal advisor both to Commissioner Michael J. Copps and to former Commissioner Kathleen Q. Abernathy, and as legal advisor to the Chief of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. Prior to joining the FCC, he practiced communications law at Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP. 1 2 Deputy Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Monica Shah Desai: Ms. Desai has worked at the FCC since 1999 in a variety of capacities. She previously served as Chief of the Media Bureau from January 2007 until June 2009, and as Chief of the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau from April 2005 until January 2007. She most recently served as a special advisor to the General Counsel, and previously served as a legal advisor to then Commissioner Martin on spectrum and international issues. She has also held staff attorney positions in the Wireline Competition Bureau, as well as the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. Before joining the FCC, Ms. Desai was as an associate at the law firm of Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal. She was a law clerk to the Honorable Deborah K. Chasanow (U.S. District Court, District of Maryland). She also served as an adjunct professor at the George Mason University School of Law. Ms. Desai received her J.D., cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center. She received her B.B.A., magna cum laude, in Finance from George Washington University, where she was a National Merit Scholar. Deputy Chief, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, Mark Stone: Mr. Stone has held a variety of positions at the Commission since 1994. He recently served as Deputy Managing Director. Prior to that, he advised former Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein on wireline telephone matters and was an adviser to former Chairman Kevin Martin. Mr. Stone has also served as Deputy Chief of the Telecommunications Consumers Division of the Enforcement Bureau where he supervised investigations and actions to enforce the Commission's rules that protect people with disabilities and low income telephone subscribers. Mr. Stone began his career at the Commission as an auditor in the Accounting and Audits Division of the former Common Carrier Bureau. Prior to joining the Commission, he worked in the Office of the Inspector General of the General Services Administration. - FCC -