Changes Inside FCC Media Relations
• The FCC announced a bunch of changes in its Office of Media Relations, starting with the departure of Press Secretary Tina Pelkey, who has left the agency for new position in the private sector — she is reportedly going to work for Jeff Bezos‘-owned aerospace company Blue Origin as Sr. Manager, Government Affairs Communication.
At the same time it was announced that Anne Veigle (below, left), has been named as the FCC’s new Deputy Director of Communications. Veigle joins the Commission from the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration, where she served as Director of Public Affairs. Will Wiquist (center), currently the FCC’s Deputy Press Secretary, has been promoted to Associate Director of Communications and Policy Advisor, and Katie Gorscak (right), has been upped to Sr. Communications Advisor, transitioning from her role as Director of Communications of the agency’s Connect2Health Task Force.
“We have an outstanding media relations team that deftly handles far more than one might think possible for such a small group,” said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. “I’m excited that Anne is joining this excellent team. Her deep reporting and public relations experience in the telecom sector are a perfect addition. I congratulate Will on this well-deserved promotion and welcome his continued wise counsel. I also congratulate Katie on her promotion and am grateful to her for her willingness to broaden her portfolio.”
Pai continued, “I also want to thank Tina Pelkey for her fantastic work during her nearly three years at the Commission. She has been incredibly responsive both internally and externally, has shown outstanding strategic thinking and leadership, and has been an excellent writer and speaking coach (not that I’ve slowed down my speaking quite as much as she would like!). And on a personal note, I’m very grateful for her friendship — I’ve really enjoyed our conversations about the Kansas City Chiefs (our favorite team), our families, and all sorts of other matters. We will all miss Tina, and I sincerely thank her for her public service.” [Photos from LinkedIn]