Communications Personals
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai says wireline adviser Nirali Patel, wireless and international adviser Aaron Goldberger and wireline expert Melissa Kirkel are leaving his office, and spokesperson later says those staffers are returning to their bureaus; International Bureau Satellite Division Chief Jose Albuquerque retiring; and Pai office interns including Joe Kane have their terms ending ... Information Technology Industry Council taps Robert Strayer, former State Department deputy assistant secretary-cyber and international communications and information policy, as executive vice president-policy (see 2008060068) ... Open Markets Institute and Center for Journalism & Liberty hire Johnny Ryan, formerly at Brave privacy web browser, as senior OMI fellow and to CJL Trans-Atlantic Board as advisory member.
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Comcast's NBCUniversal reorganizes TV networks and streaming platforms, reporting to Mark Lazarus, networks chairman; NBC Entertainment Chairman Paul Telegdy leaving company; Direct-to-Consumer unit led by Matt Strauss, continues to oversee Peacock, while International Networks run by Ken Bettsteller and Fandango under Paul Yanover both report to Strauss; Entertainment unit reports to Frances Berwick; and promoted to Lazarus’ headquarters team are Finance, run by Christy Shibata; Human Resources, Brian Dorfler; Business Development, Dave Pietrycha; and Legal, Andra Shapiro.
SlashNext phishing protection service taps Patrick Harr, ex-Panzura, as CEO ... Thumbtack appoints Larry Roseman, ex-eBay, chief financial officer and adds Lyft Chairman Sean Aggarwal to the board ... Calix advances Michael Weening to executive vice president-chief operating officer ... Cable One elects Sherrese Smith, a Paul Hastings lawyer and ex-FCC, to the cable company’s board.
Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority Commissioner Michael Caron appointed to NARUC Executive Committee by President Brandon Presley; outgoing member is Vermont Public Utility Commissioner Sarah Hofmann; her term ends Feb. 28 and she has notified Gov. Phil Scott (R) she won't seek reappointment, Hofmann tells us: She wanted to give Caron "as much time on the Executive Committee as possible so thought it was best that I step down now and have him join the EC for New England. Luckily, President Presley agreed."
Other news: NAB EO Gordon Smith was hospitalized after a stroke, the group said. He's "responding well to treatment, is stable and alert, and is resting comfortably ... and he is expected to make a full recovery." Smith is 68. Thursday, a spokesperson emailed that Smith "is doing very well" and "the prognosis remains good."