WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Federal Communications Commissioners Mignon Clyburn, Michael O'Rielly and Ajit Pai will be featured in the session "Inside the Beltway Style" on Tuesday, April 8 at 2:30 p.m. during the 2014 NAB Show in Las Vegas.
During the session, NAB Chief Operating Officer Chris Ornelas will lead a discussion with the Commissioners on regulatory issues facing broadcasters, including the spectrum incentive auction, ownership regulation, radio revitalization and retransmission consent.
Mignon Clyburn has served on the Commission since 2009. She served as acting Chairwoman from May - November 2013, becoming the first woman to head the FCC. In her two terms at the agency, Clyburn has been a strong advocate for enhanced accessibility in communications for disabled citizens. She has fought to promote strong competition across all communications platforms and media ownership that reflects the demographics of America.
Clyburn has a long history of public service, having served for 11 years on the Public Service Commission (PSC) of South Carolina before joining the FCC. Prior to her service on the PSC, Clyburn was publisher and general manager of The Coastal Times, a Charleston-based weekly newspaper that focused primarily on issues affecting the African American community. She co-owned and operated the family-founded newspaper for 14 years.
Ajit Pai joined the FCC as Commissioner in May 2012 and is focusing on creating a regulatory environment in which competition and innovation can flourish, for the benefit of American consumers. During his time at the FCC, Pai has made AM radio revitalization a priority at the Commission. Between 2007 and 2011, Pai held several positions in the FCC's Office of General Counsel, including Deputy General Counsel. Prior to joining the FCC, he was a partner in the Communications Practice at Jenner & Block LLP and Associate General Counsel at Verizon Communications Inc.
Pai began his career in Washington in the Department of Justice, first as an Honors Program trial attorney on the Telecommunications Task Force in the Antitrust Division and later as Senior Counsel in the Office of Legal Policy. He also worked in multiple capacities for the Senate Judiciary Committee, including as Chief Counsel to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Property Rights. Pai clerked for a judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana following law school.
Michael O'Rielly joined the FCC in November 2013. Between 2010 and 2013, O'Rielly held several positions in the Office of the Senate Republican Whip, including Policy Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff and Policy Director for U.S. Senator Jon Kyl.
Previously, O'Rielly worked on the U.S. Senate Republican Policy Committee as a Policy Analyst for Banking, Technology, Transportation, Trade, and Commerce issues. From 2003 to 2008, he served as Senior Legislative Assistant and then as Legislative Director in the Office of U.S. Senator John Sununu. In the U.S. House of Representatives, O'Rielly served as a Professional Staff Member on the Committee on Energy and Commerce from 1998 to 2003, and Telecommunications Policy Analyst from 1995 to 1998.
UPDATE [3/5/2014]: Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel has been confirmed as a panelist.
As previously announced, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler will address the NAB Show on Tuesday, April 8 at 9:00 a.m. During his address, Wheeler will discuss his views on broadcasting and what his expectations are on the regulatory front in the coming years.
About NAB Show
NAB Show, held April 5-10, 2014 in Las Vegas, is the world's largest electronic media show covering filmed entertainment and the development, management and delivery of content across all mediums. With more than 93,000 attendees from 156 countries and 1,550+ exhibitors, NAB Show is the ultimate marketplace for digital media and entertainment. From creation to consumption, across multiple platforms and countless nationalities, NAB Show is home to the solutions that transcend traditional broadcasting and embrace content delivery to new screens in new ways. Complete details are available at www.nabshow.com.
Please click here to register as news media.
About NAB
The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy association for America's broadcasters. NAB advances radio and television interests in legislative, regulatory and public affairs. Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables broadcasters to best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses and seize new opportunities in the digital age. Learn more at www.nab.org.
follow me
