Jonathan S. Adelstein (on right), gives the oath of office before FCC Chairman Michael Powell. As of last week, Adelstein is now officially a member of the FCC.
In a year of trials, tribulations and an extended waiting game, Jonathan S. Adelstein finally was sworn in Dec. 4 as a member of the Federal Communications Commission.
Adelstein, 40, whose nomination became a bargaining chip between Democrats and Republicans in Congress over stalled judgeships, knows-perhaps too well-the political side of his new job.
For 15 years he served as a staff member in the United States Senate. For the past seven years, he has been a senior legislative aide to Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD), where he advised Daschle on telecommunications, financial services, transportation and other issues. Previously, he served on the staffs of former Senators David Pryor (D-AR), and Donald W. Riegle, Jr. (D-MI).
Prior to his jobs in the Senate, Adelstein held a number of academic positions, including teaching posts at Harvard University and Stanford University. He was communications consultant to the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.
Adelstein received a B.A. in Political Science and a M.A. in History from Stanford University. He studied at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He was born and raised in Rapid City, S.D. He now lives in the Washington, D.C. area with his wife Karen and one and a half year-old son, Adam.
After taking his oath of office at the FCC, Adelstein said "I will work to ensure that Americans have the best possible communications services by enhancing competition, promoting universal access to all communications services and efficiently managing the public spectrum." Adelstein's term expires June 30, 2003.
For more information visit www.fcc.gov.
