The FCC WTB is set for new leadership with current chief Roger Sherman set to depart
Just ahead of the start of one of the most complicated wireless spectrum auctions ever attempted, the Federal Communications Commission announced the departure of current chief of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Roger Sherman.
The FCC said Sherman is set to leave the government agency at the end of February, with FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler intending to name current FCC managing director Jon Wilkins as Sherman’s replacement. Mark Stephens, current FCC CFO, is slated to replace Wilkins as FCC managing director.
Wheeler commended Sherman’s work on the FCC’s open Internet and tower siting orders, as well as FCC work on spectrum auctions and next-generation network initiatives.
“His expertise and leadership in protecting the open Internet, streamlining infrastructure deployment, helping establish the historic market-based spectrum reserve, and playing key roles in vitally-important spectrum policy initiatives – from the historic AWS-3 auction to the broadcast incentive auction to our work on 5G – will have a lasting impact,” Wheeler stated.
Sherman joined the FCC as acting chief of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau in 2013, having previously served as the Democratic chief counsel to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and as Democratic staff director to its Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. Sherman also spent 10 years as director of regulatory affairs and senior attorney at Sprint.
In naming Wilkins, Wheeler cited his work on modernization efforts in the FCC’s E-rate and Lifeline programs as well as work with the Inventive Auction Task Force.
“Having someone with Jon’s managerial skills and understanding of the incentive auction is particularly important as we put in place plans for the post-auction transition,” Wheeler said.
Prior to joining the FCC in 2013, Wilkins spent 16 years at McKinsey & Company as a partner and a leader in the company’s Telecommunications, Media, and Technology practice.
The FCC is set to begin the 600 MHz incentive auction process in March 29, with spectrum being offered up by television broadcasters then scheduled to be auctioned to commercial wireless communication service providers. Carriers expected to participate include AT&T, Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile US.
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