Davis Wright hires David Gossett, ex-FCC Office of General Counsel, as a partner, a colleague tells us; he filed Tuesday in a court case that he signs (in Pacer) on behalf of the firm; he and the communications law firm don't comment ... FTC Advertising Practices Division Associate Director Mary Engle retiring ... Progressive Policy Institute hires Alec Stapp, ex-International Center for Law & Economics, as director-technology policy.
At ViacomCBS (see 2001160038), now at combined firm under DeDe Lea, the executive vice president in charge (see 1910090044), are: Viacom's Keith Murphy is senior vice president-government relations and regulatory counsel; Josh Brown from CBS, vice president-government relations; and all from Viacom Stacey Dansky and Danny Fernandez, vice presidents-government relations; and Emorie Broemel director-government relations ... Charter Communications hires from Plus Communications Avery Boggs for government affairs team as group vice president-policy communications, succeeding Tamara Smith, moving to the newly created role at company's subsidiary of group vice president-partnerships and strategy, Spectrum Networks.
NAB promotes Curtis LeGeyt to chief operating officer, succeeding Chris Ornelas, departing Feb. 1 to be general counsel, Beasley Media; association advances to executive vice presidents April Carty-Sipp, industry affairs; Shawn Donilon, government relations, succeeding LeGeyt; and Trish Johnson, finance and remaining chief financial officer ... Utilities Technology Council moves Sheryl Riggs to interim CEO during search for successor to Joy Ditto (see this section, Oct. 16); under Ditto, Sharla Artz promoted to senior vice president-government and external affairs; Karnel Thomas moved up to senior vice president-membership and meetings; and Rob Thormeyer elevated to senior director-communications and advocacy.
Ballard Spahr names Richard Hudock, ex-McCarter & English, of counsel-transactional and commercial law; he has worked on tech issues ... Mercury taps ex-Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., formerly of McDermott Will, as co-chairman ... Mechanical Licensing Collective appoints Kris Ahrend, ex-Warner Music Group, CEO ... ATIS announces Ian Deakin, ex-iconnectiv, as principal technologist.
Free Press advances Jessica Gonzalez to co-CEO, Free Press and Free Press Action, joining co-CEO Craig Aaron ... CTIA promotes Kevin Ryan to vice president-policy communications; Kathryn Dall’Asta to deputy general counsel; and to assistant vice presidents: Beth Cooley, state legislative affairs; Kara Graves, regulatory affairs; and Hank Kilgore, government affairs ... ICANN moves Chris Mondini to vice president-stakeholder engagement, Europe, and managing director-Brussels office ... Quu taps Steve Newberry, from NAB, as CEO, effective April 1.
FCC Chairman Ajit moving Paul Jackson to director, Office of Legislative Affairs, replacing Tim Strachan, continuing in Office of General Counsel ... Entertainment Software Association adding Michael O’Leary, from 21st Century Fox, to head government affairs team and oversee political strategy-policy initiatives ... Andrew Long, ex-Time Warner, moves at Free State Foundation to senior fellow, full-time position.
Alphabet Chief Legal Officer David Drummond retiring, effective Jan. 31, reportedly amid investigations of sexual misconduct. Alphabet’s Verily taps Deepak Ahuja, ex-Tesla, as chief financial officer ... BSA|The Software Alliance taps Tom Foulkes, from Entertainment Software Association, as senior director-state advocacy ... San Jose Chief Innovation Officer Shireen Santosham says she’s leaving for position at Plenty agriculture startup.
Hogan Lovells promotes Tony Lin to partner and Arpan Sura to counsel, both global regulatory-communications, internet and media, while Aaron Oakley and Ernest Yakob advance to partners-intellectual property, media and technology ... Democracy Forward names Sean Lev, ex-FCC, legal director ... New America Open Technology Institute hires Lauren Sarkesian, ex-office of Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., as senior policy counsel.
Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International taps Richard King, from Aviation International Software, as senior vice president-regulatory and international affairs ... Intellectual property law firm Wolf Greenfield promotes to shareholders Bryan Conley, IP litigation; Elisabeth Hunt, post-grant proceedings; and Zachary Piccolomini, IP.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai appoints D’wana Terry, from Wireline Bureau, as acting director, Office of Workplace Diversity, following Larry Hudson’s transition to Office of Communications Business Opportunities. Diane Holland, ex-National Urban League, returns to agency as Commissioner Geoffrey Starks’ legal adviser-media and consumer protection issues, succeeding Michael Scurato, moving to Media Bureau Policy Division management.