Media Contact: 
Will Wiquist, (202) 418-0509
will.wiquist@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release
FCC CHAIRMAN WHEELER APPOINTS 
NEW ACTING CHIEF ECONOMIST
  --
WASHINGTON, January 20, 2015 – FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler today announced the 
appointment of Jonathan Levy as acting chief economist for the Federal Communications 
Commission.  Dr. Levy currently serves as the agency’s deputy chief economist and has stepped
into the chief economist role upon the departure of the prior chief, David Waterman.
“The chief economist occupies a very important role at the Commission.  We have been very 
fortunate in recent years to have had very talented economists in-house as crucial advisors,” said 
Chairman Wheeler.  “I appreciate Jonathan’s willingness to continue his work with the 
Commission and I especially thank David for his hard work and valued counsel on a wide variety 
of policy issues over the last year.  I have appreciated his insights on many of the most important 
issues the Commission has considered.”
The FCC chief economist reports directly to the Chairman on economic issues and is part of the 
agency’s Office of Strategic Planning and Policy Analysis.
Dr. Levy has been the FCC’s deputy chief economist since 2001, serving as a liaison between the 
chief economist and economists in the bureaus and offices. Prior to joining the FCC in 1980, 
Jonathan taught economics at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He holds a Ph.D. in 
economics from Yale University. 
Dr. Waterman is professor emeritus in the Media School at Indiana University, Bloomington. He 
was formerly on the faculty of the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of 
Southern California, and he holds a Ph.D. in economics from Stanford University.
###
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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. Cir. 1974).