WASHINGTON-Andrew Barrett, a Bush-appointed member of the Federal Communications Commission since 1990, joins Edelman Public Relations Worldwide today despite entreaties from Republican lawmakers that he remain at the FCC until the new telecommunication law is implemented.
Barrett will be managing director of Edelman’s telemedia unit, working primarily in Washington, D.C., and occasionally out of the firm’s Chicago headquarters.
A former Illinois public utility regulator, Barrett was a catalyst in restructuring the original band plan for broadband personal communications services to enhance the economic viability and competitiveness of new digital pocket telephone systems. He was particularly influential in common carrier issues, and he openly criticized FCC Chairman Reed Hundt on some issues.
“This was not done haphazardly,” said Barrett, whose term ended June 30.
Barrett said he did not want to be a political pawn for Republicans, who fear his departure will give Hundt, a Clinton-appointed Democrat, more power at the FCC.
