Pamela Turner, the National Cable & Telecommunications Association's top
lobbyist for more than one decade, is planning to leave to represent the
Department of Homeland Security on Capitol Hill.
Homeland Security secretary Tom Ridge announced Monday that he planned to
appoint Turner, a Virginia resident, assistant secretary for legislative affairs
for the new department, which was created in the aftermath of the Sept. 11
terrorist attacks.
Turner, the NCTA's senior vice president for government relations, held the
trade group's top lobbying post for 13 years under three NCTA presidents: James
Mooney, Decker Anstrom and Robert Sachs.
Her decision to join the Bush administration marks her return to a top
government role. From 1981 through 1989, she served as deputy
legislative-affairs assistant to President Ronald Reagan at the White House.
"In recruiting Pam as assistant secretary for legislative affairs, secretary
Ridge has chosen a knowledgeable and talented government-relations professional,
and chosen well. The entire cable industry can be proud that one of its own will
be selected for this position," Sachs said in a prepared statement.
"On behalf of the NCTA board of directors and all of our member companies, I
thank Pam for the many valuable contributions she has made to the cable industry
over the past 13 years, and to its growth and success," he added. "We are most
grateful and wish her all the best."
