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Former FCC Wireless Bureau Chief Joins NAB
10/4/2012
WASHINGTON – The National
Association of Broadcasters announced today that Rick Kaplan has been hired as executive
vice president of Strategic Planning. In this newly created position, Kaplan will
lead NAB's efforts related to spectrum and innovation policy. His first day is Oct.
22.
“We
are delighted to announce the hiring of Rick Kaplan, whose credibility and integrity
are well-recognized both at the Commission and in telecom circles in Washington,”
said NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith. “His expertise on spectrum issues will
benefit broadcasters greatly as we work with policymakers to ensure a robust local
television business for decades to come.”
Kaplan most recently served as chief of the Federal Communications Commission’s
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. He joined the Commission in 2009 as deputy coordinator
for the DTV transition, before becoming chief of staff to Commissioner Mignon Clyburn.
Kaplan also served as chief counsel to Chairman Julius Genachowski, serving as the
chairman's lead policy counsel on issues such as wireless, media, engineering, and
public safety issues.
As chief of the Wireless Bureau, Kaplan authored a letter to Verizon requesting
an update on the carrier’s build-out of spectrum it won in the last auction of TV
airwaves. Verizon had just stated it would sell those 700 MHz licenses in order
to obtain regulatory approval for a spectrum acquisition and a service-swap deal
with Comcast Time Warner Cable and Bright House. Kaplan requested a response by
May 22. On May 30, it was announced that he had been replaced by Ruth Milkman, special
counsel to the chairman and the former Wireless Bureau chief.
“I’m thrilled to be joining a team of talented professionals at one of Washington’s
most respected trade associations—NAB—at a critical juncture in the history of broadcasting,”
Kaplan said. “I look forward to representing the interests of local TV stations
that have a rich legacy of service to their communities, and a vibrant future in
the communications ecosystem of tomorrow.”
Kaplan
began his career as public relations professional in the sports industry and started
his own PR and management company, Kaplan Sports Group, Inc. He was an associate
with the law practice Sidley Austin LLP, working in federal and state court litigation
and advising clients on financial regulation and privacy. Immediately prior to joining
the FCC, Kaplan was assistant counsel in the Office of the General Counsel with
the House of Representatives.
Kaplan
earned a B.A. in Philosophy from Wesleyan University and a J.D. from Columbia Law
School, where he was editor-in-chief of the Columbia Law Review. He began
his legal career as a law clerk for Judge Harry T. Edwards of the U.S. Court of
Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
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