Media Contact: Tina Pelkey, (202) 418-0536 Tina.Pelkey@fcc.gov For Immediate Release -- FCC ANNOUNCES CHANGES IN RURAL BROADBAND AUCTIONS TASK FORCE AND BROADBAND DATA STAFF WASHINGTON, September 6, 2019—Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai announced staff changes in the leadership of the FCC’s efforts to expand rural broadband deployment and develop data to inform that mission. Michael Janson will serve as the Director of the Rural Broadband Auctions Task Force and Acting Assistant Chief of the Office of Economics and Analytics (OEA). Chelsea Fallon, who previously headed the Task Force, will lead the implementation of the new Digital Opportunity Data Collection within the Data Division of OEA. Steve Rosenberg will serve as the Commission’s acting Chief Data and Analytics Officer and acting Chief of OEA’s Data Division, where implementation of the OPEN Data Government Act will be housed. “Connecting rural Americans is vital to our economic progress as a nation. To reach our goals, we need effective tools to support the deployment of high-speed broadband connectivity and collect precise and reliable data on which to base these efforts,” said Chairman Pai. “I’m pleased that Michael is stepping into this new role overseeing our auctions of universal service funding to bring broadband to rural America. In particular, he will be playing a critical role as we finalize and implement the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. I’d also like to thank Chelsea for leading the task force over the past two years, during which she oversaw the successful Connect America Fund Phase II reverse auction. She will be a valuable asset to OEA and the Digital Opportunity Data Collection.” “Steve will bring deep experience in data analytics to a variety of Commission efforts, including his ongoing work with our universal service programs and the Digital Opportunity Data Collection as well as providing leadership related to data governance to make data more accessible for policymaking and the American public,” added Chairman Pai. Michael first joined the Commission in 2013 and has directed projects and proceedings in the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, the Enforcement Bureau, and the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, and was also the Commission’s Open Internet Ombudsman. Michael is returning to the Commission after teaching at the University of Pennsylvania Law School. Chelsea has been with the Commission since 1999. Prior to serving as Director of the Task Force, she was Deputy Chief of the Industry Analysis and Technology Division of the Wireline Competition Bureau, now the Industry Analysis Division in OEA. She also has held various positions within the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, where she worked on mobile competition and spectrum access issues, as well as outreach and media relations. Steve joined the Commission in 2009 with the National Broadband Plan team, where he worked to quantify the gaps in broadband availability. More recently, he has been the Chief Data Officer for the Wireline Competition Bureau, where he oversaw the Bureau’s data collection and analysis efforts. The Rural Broadband Auctions Task Force is responsible for implementing reverse auctions of universal service support in the High Cost program, including the successful Connect America Fund Phase II and the proposed $20.4 billion Rural Digital Opportunity Fund auctions. The Digital Opportunity Data Collection, which was adopted last month, will collect geospatial broadband coverage maps from fixed broadband Internet service providers of areas where they make fixed service available. ### Media Relations: (202) 418-0500 / ASL: (844) 432-2275 / TTY: (888) 835-5322 / Twitter: @FCC / www.fcc.gov 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).