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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
February 2, 2012 Neil Grace, (202) 418-0506
neil.grace@fcc.gov
FCC CONSUMER AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS 
BUREAU CHIEF JOEL GURIN TO STEP DOWN IN FEBRUARY
Washington, DC – Today, the Federal Communications Commission announced Joel Gurin, Chief of the 
FCC’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB) will step down from his position as of 
February 17.  Kris Monteith, currently a Deputy Chief in the Media Bureau, will serve as Acting Bureau 
Chief. 
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said, “I want to thank Joel for his work to harness technology to 
empower consumers with the information and tools they need in today’s rapidly evolving 
communications marketplace. We’ll miss Joel’s dedication as a stalwart advocate for consumers, working 
to solve real problems in smart ways.”
Joel Gurin has been Chief of the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau since joining the 
Commission in December 2009. Under his leadership, the bureau tackled such issues as bill shock, 
cramming and robocalls; launched the Office of Native Affairs and Policy; and led the agency effort to 
implement the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act – the most significant 
legislation for people with disabilities since the Americans with Disabilities Act two decades ago.
Mr. Gurin has a diverse background combining nonprofit leadership, print and Web publishing, and 
expertise in consumer issues. He most recently served as Acting President of NARSAD; as Acting Editor-
in-Chief for State of the USA; and as Senior Vice President of Rodale Interactive. Prior to that, Mr. Gurin 
was Executive Vice President of Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports, for 
almost a decade. He launched and grew Consumer Reports’ Web site, the world’s largest information-
based paid subscription site. Mr. Gurin began his career as a science and medical journalist, winning 
several national awards. Mr. Gurin received his B.A. in Biochemical Sciences from Harvard University, 
magna cum laude.
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