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See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
June 22, 2010 Jen Howard (202) 418-0506
jen.howard@fcc.gov
FCC CHAIRMAN GENACHOWSKI APPOINTS GEOFFREY BLACKWELL 
TO LEAD NEW INITIATIVES ON NATIVE AFFAIRS
Washington, D.C. -- Today, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski 
announced the return of Geoffrey Blackwell to the FCC, where he will lead the FCC’s efforts to work 
with Native Nations and carry out the National Broadband Plan’s recommendations for bringing 
broadband to all Native communities.  
Among his other responsibilities, Mr. Blackwell will be charged with helping to implement the 
recommendations outlined in the National Broadband Plan, including establishing a new office dedicated 
to addressing Native needs and overseeing a new FCC-Native Nations Broadband Task Force.  He will 
also be responsible for developing and implementing a robust policy of meaningful dialog and 
consultation with Tribal entities.
“It is essential that the FCC work closely with Native communities to address the unique communications 
challenges they face,” said Chairman Genachowski.  “No one is better positioned to lead our efforts than 
Geoff.  I look forward to working with him to ensure that all Americans, especially those living in Native 
communities, can enjoy the benefits of a modern communications infrastructure.”   
Mr. Blackwell is a recognized expert in the fields of Tribal economic infrastructure development.  In 
April 2009, Mr. Blackwell was appointed to the FCC’s Federal Advisory Committee on Diversity for 
Communications in the Digital Age. In September 2009, he was elected to be the Commissioner 
representing the United States on the Indigenous Commission for Communications Technologies in the 
Americas.  From 1999-2005, Mr. Blackwell served at the FCC as Senior Attorney and Liaison to Tribal 
Governments.  While at the FCC, he played a central role in the FCC’s initiatives to stimulate Tribal 
telecommunications and broadcast services, including the development of the FCC’s 2000 Statement of 
Policy on Establishing a Government-to-Government Relationship with Indian Tribes, adoption of the 
enhanced Lifeline and Link-Up support for residents of Tribal lands, and rules for cultural preservation 
review of Tribal sacred sites in tower siting.
Since his previous service at the FCC, Mr. Blackwell has been the Director of Strategic Relations and 
Minority Business Development for Chickasaw Nation Industries, Inc., which oversees a family of 
companies wholly-owned by the Chickasaw Nation.  In addition, Mr. Blackwell has chaired the 
Telecommunications Subcommittee of the National Congress of American Indians for five years.  He has 
also served on the boards of the National Small Business Association, the National Federation of 
Community Broadcasters, the Acoma Business Board of Acoma Pueblo, and Native Public Media.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Blackwell practiced law in Boston at Hale and Dorr LLP. He holds an B.A. in 
Government from Dartmouth College and a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law.  Mr. 
Blackwell is an enrolled member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and is also of Omaha, Choctaw, and 
Chickasaw heritage.
-- FCC --