Sue McNeil, currently CGB's Special Counsel for Intergovernmental Affairs, has been named to head the new office.
IGA will be a liaison to state, local and tribal governments and other federal regulatory agencies. It will foster a better understanding of FCC programs, policies, rules and decisions, facilitate a two-way exchange of information and communications on telecommunications issues and promote cooperation and coordination in areas of overlapping jurisdiction.
In addition to ongoing intergovernmental affairs outreach, IGA will be responsible for overseeing the work and activities of the commission's Intergovernmental Advisory Committee, designing and implementing the commission's Indian Telecommunications Initiatives (ITI) and providing staff support to the Federal/State Joint Conference on Advanced Telecommunications Services. Previously, the intergovernmental affairs function had been handled informally in the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau's front office.
McNeil joined the FCC as Special Counsel for Intergovernmental Affairs in January 2003. In a previous tour with the FCC, she served as legal adviser to the Auctions Division Chief in the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau from 1994 to 1996.
Before returning to the FCC, she served as senior attorney for Federal Regulatory Affairs (international telecommunications) at Sprint Corp., and director for Government Affairs at Lucent Corp. McNeil was also an associate at Latham & Watkins and served as an aide to U.S. Sen. Harry Reid and U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman.
CGB Chief K. Dane Snowden said, "I am delighted to have someone with Sue's experience heading this important new office. The IGA, under Sue's direction, will play an important role in ensuring efficient and effective cooperative efforts with our state, local and tribal partners."
