FCC’s Wheeler To Address 2015 NAB Show

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler will speak at the 2015 NAB Show in Las Vegas, the National Association of Broadcasters announced today. The address, which will be held Wednesday, April 15, at 9-10 a.m., is expected to provide insight into the FCC’s policy and regulatory objectives related to broadcasting, technology and communications law generally.

“This is a great opportunity for NAB Show attendees to hear first-hand from the FCC Chairman on the FCC’s progress on the TV spectrum incentive auction and a host of other items currently under consideration at the commission,” said NAB President-CEO Gordon Smith.

For over three decades, Wheeler has been involved with new telecommunications networks and services, experiencing the revolution in telecommunications as a policy expert, an advocate, and a businessman.

As an entrepreneur, he started or helped start multiple companies offering innovative cable, wireless and video communications services. He is the only person to be selected to both the Cable Television Hall of Fame and The Wireless Hall of Fame, a fact that caused President Obama to nickname Wheeler “The Bo Jackson of Telecom.”

Prior to joining the FCC, Wheeler was managing director at Core Capital Partners, a venture capital firm investing in early stage IP-based companies. He served as president-CEO of Shiloh Group, a strategy development and private investment company specializing in telecommunications services and co-founded SmartBrief, an electronic information service for vertical markets.

From 1976 to 1984, Wheeler was associated with the National Cable Television Association, where he was president-CEO from 1979 to 1984. Following NCTA, Wheeler was CEO of several high tech companies, including the first company to offer high speed delivery of data to home computers and the first digital video satellite service.

From 1992 to 2004, Wheeler was president-CEO of the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association.

Wheeler became the FCC’s 31st chairman on Nov. 4, 2013. He was appointed by President Barack Obama and unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate.

He is a graduate of The Ohio State University and the recipient of its Alumni Medal.