Media Contact: 
Will Wiquist, (202) 418-0509
will.wiquist@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

CHAIRMAN PAI APPOINTS JONATHAN MCCORMACK TO SERVE AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE RURAL BROADBAND AUCTIONS TASK FORCE

WASHINGTON, December 16, 2019—Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai today announced that Jonathan McCormack will serve as a deputy director of the Rural Broadband Auctions Task Force.  In 2017, Chairman Pai formed the Rural Broadband Auctions Task Force in order to implement and oversee the agency’s efforts to efficiently distribute Universal Service Fund support to expand the deployment of fixed and mobile broadband networks to unserved parts of the United States.

“Closing the digital divide is the FCC’s top priority, and we rely heavily on the expertise of our skilled staff to ensure that this critical mission is pursued effectively and efficiently,” said Chairman Pai.  “I’m glad Jonathan has accepted this new assignment.  He’ll play a key role on a team that is working hard to help connect Americans in rural communities to digital opportunity and next-generation communications services.”

McCormack currently serves as an attorney advisor in the FCC’s Office of Economics and Analytics.  He was a recipient of the FCC’s 2019 Employee of the Year award for his contributions in designing, overseeing, and launching facets of the Mobility Fund Phase II challenge process.  He earned his law degree from George Washington University Law School and his bachelor’s degree from Brandeis University. 

The Rural Broadband Auctions Task Force is responsible for implementing reverse auctions of universal service support in the USF’s High Cost program, including the successful Connect America Fund Phase II and the proposed $20.4 billion Rural Digital Opportunity Fund auctions.  It has also been working on Chairman Pai’s proposed $9 billion 5G Fund.  For more information on the Task Force and auctions, visit: https://www.fcc.gov/auctions/ruralbroadbandauctions. 

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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).