WASHINGTON-Mary Beth Richards, deputy chief of the Federal Communications Commission’s Common Carrier Bureau, will receive the 1997 Eugene C. Bowler Award for excellence in public service April 29 at the Personal Communications Industry Association Foundation’s seventh annual dinner in honor of Bowler, the late FCC staffer.
Richards was the unanimous choice of the Bowler Foundation selection committee based on her successful career thus far at the FCC, which includes receiving a presidential service award; performing in a key position to redesign the FCC and inventing the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau and the International Bureau; helping to formulate some language that was included in the Telecommunications Act of 1996; and helping to make the FCC’s Enforcement Division a clearinghouse for consumer complaints.
Presenting the Bowler Award this year will be FCC chairman Reed Hundt. “I am delighted that Mary Beth is being recognized for her extraordinary public service,” Hundt said. “In her 12 years at the FCC, Mary Beth has demonstrated her talents as a creative problem solver and a respected manager. As our special counsel for reinventing government, she blazed the trail for our move into the 20th century, and the impact of her work will benefit the public for years to come.”
Keynoting the awards ceremony will be Rep. Billy Tauzin (R-La.), chairman of the House Telecommunications, Trade and Consumer Protection subcommittee.
Being awarded for the first time will be the Glenayre Technologies Inc. Scholarship, the first of five $5,000 grants that will be funded by the company’s board of directors.
