The National Cable & Telecommunications Association announced it has named Rick Chessen, a veteran telecommunications attorney and top aide at the Federal Communications Commission, as senior vice president of law and regulatory policy.
Chessen's move was reported earlier today byMultichannel News.
Chessen, who has been a top aide to FCC Commissioner Michael Copps, takes over for Dan Brenner, who recently left the NCTA to join the law firm of Hogan & Hartson as partner.
Chessen will join the NCTA effective Sept. 8, reporting to NCTA president and CEO Kyle McSlarrow.
"We're really fortunate that Rick has chosen to come to work for NCTA," McSlarrow said in a statement. "Rick's collegial working style, and his recognized expertise in federal regulation and telecommunications law, will greatly benefit our efforts to maintain a positive and constructive regulatory environment for our industry."
Chessen joined the FCC in 1994 as a senior attorney in the Cable Services Bureau. Earlier this year he became the FCC's Acting Chief of Staff when Copps was appointed acting chairman. Following the confirmation of Julius Genachowski as FCC chairman, Chessen remained on Copps's staff as senior legal advisor.
"I congratulate Rick Chessen on his appointment to an important private sector position," said Copps in a statement. "Its gain is our loss. Rick has a most distinguished record of public service, capped by a stellar performance as acting chief of staff of the FCC from January-June of this year."
At the FCC, Chessen also was an advisor to former Commissioner Gloria Tristani; associate bureau chief for the Mass Media Bureau; chair of the Digital Television Task Force; and associate bureau chief for the Media Bureau.
Chessen also has worked in the private sector and at several law firms. He was vice president of policy at RespondTV, partner in Sheppard Mullin Hampton & Richter; associate at Sonnenschein, Nath & Rosenthal; and associate at Isham, Lincoln & Beale. He holds a law degree from Harvard Law School and is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin.
