Brown to Replace Metzger as Head of FCC's Common Carrier Bureau

(May 18, 1998)  Kathleen Brown will replace Richard Metzger as head of the Federal Communications Commission's Common Carrier Bureau, which regulates "common carrier" telephone companies.  Under Metzger, the CCB made controversial decisions regarding deregulation, §271 applications, universal service, the schools and libraries "e-rate" program, and IP Telephony.

Brown is currently the Associate Administrator, Office of Policy Analysis and Development, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, at the U.S. Department of Commerce. She was responsible for formulating and articulating the Administration's position on implementation of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. She was involved in advancing positions before the FCC on interconnection pricing and unbundling, universal service support for high cost areas, lifeline and discounts for school, libraries and rural health care centers, access charge reform, DTV, children's television, internet telephony and spectrum auctions.

From August 1992 to August 1995 she was Director of the Consumer Services Division of the New York State Public Service Commission.  Prior positions included managing Attorney and Litigation Attorney with the Office of General Counsel, New York State Public Service Commission; Deputy Clerk of the Court, and Legal Research Assistant, New York State Court of Appeals.

Metzger served as Acting Chief, and then Chief, of the Common Carrier Bureau since September, 1997.  Prior to that, he served as a Deputy Bureau Chief of the Common Carrier Bureau, supervising the work of the Competitive Pricing and Policy and Program Planning Divisions. In that capacity, Mr. Metzger oversaw the Divisions' work on interconnection, access charge reform, and 271 issues.

Metzger has not announced what he will do next.  The transfer is effective June 7,1998.

FCC Press Releases

RICHARD METZGER TO LEAVE THE COMMISSION

A. Richard Metzger, Jr. has announced that he will step down as Chief of the FCC's Common Carrier Bureau.

"Richard has made immense contributions to the work of the Commission for more than four years," said Chairman William Kennard. "As a primary architect of the Commission's common carrier policies, Richard has been instrumental in our implementation of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. He is also a great teacher and a friend. Though I am sad to see him go, I recognize that he has worked non- stop since coming to the FCC and certainly deserves to take a break."

Mr. Metzger served as Acting Chief, and then Chief, of the Common Carrier Bureau since September, 1997. Prior to that, he served as a Deputy Bureau Chief of the Common Carrier Bureau, supervising the work of the Competitive Pricing and Policy and Program Planning Divisions. In that capacity, Mr. Metzger oversaw the Divisions' work on interconnection, access charge reform, and 271 issues.

Prior to joining the Commission in December, 1993, Mr. Metzger was a member of the law firm of Rogers and Wells, resident in the Washington, D.C. office. His areas of emphasis in private practice included telecommunications, antitrust, and public utility regulation.

Mr. Metzger is a graduate of Williams College, Phi Beta Kappa. He received a Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University Law Center.

KATHRYN C. BROWN TO BE NAMED CHIEF, COMMON CARRIER BUREAU

Kathryn C. Brown will be named Chief of the Commission's Common Carrier Bureau. The assignment will become effective June 7.

Since September 1995 she has been Associate Administrator, Office of Policy Analysis and Development, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. In that position she was responsible for formulating and articulating the Administration's position on implementation of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. She was involved in advancing positions before the FCC on interconnection pricing and unbundling, universal service support for high cost areas, lifeline and discounts for school, libraries and rural health care centers, access charge reform, DTV, children's television, internet telephony and spectrum auctions.

From August 1992 to August 1995 she was Director of the Consumer Services Division of the New York State Public Service Commission. In that capacity she advised the PSC on the Rochester Open Markets Plan and was involved in various competitive entry issues.

Prior positions included managing Attorney and Litigation Attorney with the Office of General Counsel, New York State Public Service Commission; Deputy Clerk of the Court, and Legal Research Assistant, New York State Court of Appeals.

FCC Chairman William Kennard said, "The FCC is very fortunate to have someone with Kathy's extensive background in telecommunications, state PSC and consumer issues. We will call upon all aspects of her expertise as we continue implementation of the 1996 Act."

Brown is a graduate of Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY, and holds a J.D., summa cum laude, from Syracuse University College of Law.