FCC Chief Taps Wentzel, Mathias As Advisers

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski has named Renee Wentzel legal adviser to the chairman and Charles Mathias special counsel to the chairman.

In her role, Wentzel will have particular responsibility for wireless and engineering and technology issues, including removing barriers to mobile broadband deployment and unlicensed spectrum policy. She will begin May 7.

Mathias, currently acting legal adviser, will have responsibility for public safety and homeland security issues, as well as for certain spectrum policy issues. He will also lead a team on government reform to develop and implement procedural and regulatory reforms to further innovation in government, extending the work previously led by Ruth Milkman, who will continue to serve as special counsel to the chairman and co-lead of the Incentive Auction Task Force.

Genachowski said in a statement: “Renee is a strong addition to our team as we advance our vital agenda of unleashing the benefits of mobile broadband.  Her expertise and experience will help us drive economic growth and opportunity on behalf of all Americans.”

He added, “I am delighted that Charles is assuming new and important responsibilities. The Commission is fortunate to have his deep expertise on public safety and spectrum issues and to help further our innovation in government and agency reform agenda.”

Renee Wentzel comes to the commission from the law firm of Wiltshire & Grannis LLP, where she practiced telecommunications law. She engaged in advocacy, transactional, compliance, and enforcement proceedings at the FCC and has experience in wireless, wireline, international, consumer, and governmental affairs matters.

Prior to becoming an attorney, Wentzel advised government contractors regarding their federal government business strategies as a public affairs advisor at Holland & Knight LLP. She was also the legislative affairs manager for a national trade association representing the federal services contracting industry.

Wentzel received her J.D., cum laude, from the Georgetown University Law Center, and her B.A., cum laude, with distinction in history, from Yale University.

Charles Mathias, currently acting legal adviser, previously served as associate bureau chief in the commission’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. He led various bureau initiatives in spectrum management, technology and innovation and was a member of the team that reviewed the AT&T-T-Mobile transaction. Previously, he was senior legal adviser to former FCC Commissioner Meredith Attwell Baker.

Prior to joining the FCC, he held senior positions at Lucent Technologies where he managed both the Washington and EMEA regulatory affairs offices, and at Bechtel. Previously, in private practice, he counseled companies and individuals in the information and communications technologies sector. He began his career as a corporate lawyer at Ropes & Gray LLP in Boston.

Mathias graduated from Harvard College and received his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law.