Sinclair’s Hanson Leaves For HC2

Rebecca Hanson, the Washington rep for the Sinclair Broadcast Group for the past four years, has joined HC2 Broadcasting Holdings as EVP and general counsel.

HC2 Broadcasting is a subsidiary of the HC2, a publicly traded conglomerate headed by Philip Falcone.

In her new role. Hanson will be responsible for the legal and regulatory operations of HC2’s growing portfolio of mostly low-power TV stations, including the transition to the new ATSC 3.0 standard and related broadcast innovations.

Hanson joins industry veterans Kurt Hanson (no relation) and Louis Libin, who were recently appointed to lead and accelerate the growth of HC2 Broadcasting.

“HC2 Broadcasting is well-positioned to capitalize on opportunities provided by the changing media ecosystem, including the transition to ATSC 3.0,” Hanson said in a prepared statement.

“Working in both the private sector and in a leadership role at the FCC, I have developed a deep understanding of how a broadcast platform like what HC2 has been building can deliver value to content providers, viewers, and shareholders.

“I look forward to working closely with Phil, Kurt, Louis and the rest of the HC2 Broadcasting management team to make that vision a reality.”

Hanson joined Sinclair in January 2014 to represent the station group’s interests at the FCC and on Capitol Hill.

She is a former member of the NAB TV board and has recently been appointed to the board of the NAB Education Foundation.

Prior to joining Sinclair, Hanson worked at the FCC for more than four years, serving on the Media Bureau’s Incentive Auction Task Force as the point person for broadcaster participation and issues affecting nonparticipating broadcasters.

From 2007 to 2009, she was VP of strategic initiatives at Sprint, where she was responsible for the launch and long-term growth strategy for the WiMAX network, the first 4G wireless broadband network in the U.S., and was a member of the deal team leading the $14.5 billion financing and merger with Clearwire for a national spectrum footprint.

From 2000 to 2006, Hanson was SVP for business development at XM Satellite Radio.

Prior to XM, she was an attorney with the law firm ShawPittman (now Pillsbury), where she specialized in technology, commercial finance and venture capital.