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 TTY: 1-888-835-5322 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: March 20, 2013 Neil Grace, 202-418-0506 Email: neil.grace@fcc.gov STATEMENT FROM FCC CHAIRMAN JULIUS GENACHOWSKI ON THE DEPARTURE OF SHERRESE SMITH AS CHIEF COUNSEL & SENIOR LEGAL ADVISOR Washington, D.C. – FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski issued the following statement on the departure of Sherrese Smith as Chief Counsel & Senior Legal Advisor. “Now it’s time for a difficult goodbye. Sherrese Smith – my Chief Counsel and the last remaining member of my original team of legal advisors – is leaving the FCC. “Sherrese’s expertise in media, cable and broadcast issues is unmatched in the industry, and her list of accomplishments over the past four years is remarkable. She brokered the agreement with mobile providers to help end bill shock – a problem that costs millions of U.S. consumers hundreds, and sometimes thousands of dollars. She led the revamp of the Video Relay Service, preserving a vital communications link for deaf and hard-of-hearing people and saving taxpayers $275 million dollars. She helped navigate the broadcast spectrum issues in the incentive auctions and helped cable companies get rid of superfluous rules such as encryption rules that impeded growth in technology and innovation. She spearheaded the effort to move broadcasters’ public files from file cabinets to the Internet, substantially increasing transparency for citizens, journalists, and others. And she helped close the terrestrial loophole, promoting greater competition in the pay-TV market. “But more impressive than her accomplishments is Sherrese’s character. She was one of my most trusted advisors – a close confidant whom I consulted on almost every major decision and issue. She had the rare combination of policy expertise and people skills that you need to get big things done. And I am not alone in my admiration of Sherrese. She’s one of the most respected and well-liked people at the Commission by both her peers and by outside parties -- from consumer advocates to industry leaders. Simply put, everybody loves Sherrese.” -FCC-