Tom Wheeler | |
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Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission | |
In office November 4, 2013 – January 20, 2017 | |
President | Barack Obama |
Preceded by | Julius Genachowski |
Succeeded by | Ajit Pai |
Personal details | |
Born | Thomas Edgar Wheeler April 5, 1946 Redlands, California, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Education | Ohio State University (BA) |
Thomas Edgar Wheeler (born April 5, 1946)[1][2] is an American businessman and former government official. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the 31st Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.[3][4]
He was appointed by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in November 2013.[1] Prior to working at the FCC, Wheeler worked as a venture capitalist and lobbyist for the cable and wireless industry, whom the FCC is now responsible for regulating, and holding positions including President of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) and CEO of the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA). As was customary for the FCC chairman, Wheeler resigned his seat when the new administration of Donald Trump began on January 20, 2017, and was succeeded by Ajit Pai.[5][6]