Genachowski Names Spectrum Chief

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski today announced the appointment of Amy Levine as special counsel to the chairman. Levine, who will work in the Office of Strategic Planning and Policy Analysis, will be responsible for issues concerning public safety and spectrum.

Levine will work closely with the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau on the Commission’s top public safety priorities, with a special emphasis on the creation of a nationwide, interoperable public safety broadband network and continued enhancement of E911 and NG911 technologies. In addition, Levine will coordinate with the Wireless Bureau and the Office of Engineering and Technology regarding the Commission’s efforts to make available and ensure more efficient use of spectrum, including through the innovative concept of voluntary incentive auctions.

“I am delighted that Amy will be joining the commission,” said Chairman Genachowski. “She has been a dedicated public servant, who has been able to work in a bipartisan fashion to develop smart, sensible approaches to complex problems and her knowledge and expertise will be invaluable to the agency.”

Levine most recently was principal communications policy adviser to Rep. Rick Boucher, former chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet, and Rep. John Dingell, former Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce in the U.S. House of Representatives.  Previously, she was legislative counsel to Sen. Claire McCaskill, where she was responsible for advising the Senator on communications, technology, and transportation matters. Levine spent more than five years as an associate at Covington & Burling, where her practice centered on communications, media and technology issues.

She received her J.D. from Yale Law School, where she was essays editor of the Yale Law Journal, and graduated magna cum laude from Yale University.