Obama Names Genachowski for FCC Chief

President Obama has nominated Julius Genachowski to be head of the FCC.

The Federal Communications Commission is in need of a leader, and President Barack Obama thinks that Julius Genachowski is up to the task. The former tech executive and FCC advisor will be nominated today for the position, and assuming he makes it through the process, will take office by the end of March.

"I can think of no one better than Julius Genachowski to serve as Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission," said President Obama. "He will bring to the job diverse and unparalleled experience in communications and technology, with two decades of accomplishment in the private sector and public service."

Genachowski is a co-founder and managing director of both LaunchBox Digital and Rock Creek Ventures. Previously, he worked at InterActiveCorp for eight years, where he served as Chief of Business Operations as well as General Counsel. While his career in the private sector has been a success to say the least, Genachowski also brings some government experience with him. He served as chief counsel for former FCC Chairman Reed Hundt, and before that was an advisor to FCC general counsel William Kennard. He has also been a law clerk for Supreme Court Justice David H. Souter.

Genachowski is an outspoken supporter of net neutrality, wanting equal, unrestricted Internet access for all. During his time as FCC chief (assuming he gets approved by Congress), Genachowski will have a full plate right off the start. The two most important issues facing him will be a roll out of broadband across the United States, which has seen its share of criticism in the House and Senate. He will also oversee the final stages of the digital TV transition, which has seen delays and has not gone as smoothly as planned. These issues combined with the FCC's ongoing struggle with Comcast should keep Genachowski in the news on a regular basis.

Here's hoping Genachowski has his taxes in order!