FCC Chair Brewer Carr Announces Newly Appointed Acting Bureau Leaders

FCC Chair Brewer Carr Announces Newly Appointed Acting Bureau Leaders

New Leadership at the Federal Communications Commission

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr has announced a series of new appointments for acting heads of bureaus and key positions, marking a significant shift in the agency's leadership. The new appointees, including an acting general counsel and a managing director, have agreed to join Carr in ensuring great results for the American people at the FCC.

Among the new leaders is Andy Hendrickson, who will serve as Chief of the FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology (OET). Hendrickson, previously the Chief Technology Officer of the FCC Enforcement Bureau, will now lead the OET, providing principal technical advice on spectrum policy and equipment authorization.

Jay Schwarz, on the other hand, has been appointed as Chief of the Space Bureau. Schwarz will be responsible for satellite and space-based communications policy, licensing, and regulatory processes, driving the FCC's Space Innovation Agenda.

Arielle Roth, who was recently confirmed as Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), a key government agency working closely with the FCC, will lead the deployment of the BEAD broadband program.

In addition to these bureau leaders, the Council on National Security, chaired by Brendan Carr himself and overseen by National Security Counsel Adam Chan, will enhance cross-bureau collaboration on national security matters.

Patrick Webre, the new Acting Chief of the Enforcement Bureau, brings a wealth of experience to his role, having served in several other leadership roles at the Commission, including as deputy bureau chief of the Space Bureau, deputy chief of the International Bureau, and legal adviser to the chief of the Media Bureau.

Trent Harkrader, the new Acting Chief of the Wireline Competition Bureau, has been responsible for numerous Commission broadband policy initiatives since 2011 and has led major reforms of all four of the commission's universal service programs.

Jacob Lewis, the new Acting General Counsel, joined the FCC in May 2003 after 15 years on the appellate staff of the Civil Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Debra Jordan, the new Acting Chief of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, led emergency preparedness and response efforts and represented the FCC at various interagency committees and task forces.

Eduard Bartholme, the new Acting Chief of the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, joined the FCC in 2019 to lead its education and outreach efforts along with the consumer complaints and inquiries division.

Mark Stephens, the new Managing Director, has served as a special adviser for Universal Service Fund Oversight and as a senior audit manager and systems accountant in the Wireline Bureau.

Carr expressed gratitude towards the appointed public servants for joining him in leading the FCC's work and looks forward to drawing on their counsel and advice. These appointments reflect Carr’s emphasis on technical expertise, innovation, and national security in communications regulation.

1. Andy Hendrickson, formerly the Chief Technology Officer of the FCC Enforcement Bureau, has been appointed as Chief of the FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology (OET), providing principal technical advice on spectrum policy and equipment authorization.
2. Patrick Webre, the new Acting Chief of the Enforcement Bureau, brings a wealth of experience to his role, having served in several other leadership roles at the Commission, including as deputy bureau chief of the Space Bureau, deputy chief of the International Bureau, and legal adviser to the chief of the Media Bureau.
3. The Council on National Security, chaired by Brendan Carr himself and overseen by National Security Counsel Adam Chan, will enhance cross-bureau collaboration on national security matters.
4. Eduard Bartholme, the new Acting Chief of the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, joined the FCC in 2019 to lead its education and outreach efforts along with the consumer complaints and inquiries division. Carr looks forward to drawing on their counsel and advice, reflecting his emphasis on technical expertise, innovation, and national security in communications regulation.

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