FCC Chair Brendan Carr Appoints Additional Key Personnel to his Team

FCC Chair Brendan Carr Appoints Additional Key Personnel to his Team

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has recently bolstered its leadership team with a series of strategic appointments, led by Chairman Brendan Carr. These new additions bring a diverse range of legal, policy, and technical expertise to the table, furthering the Commission's mission to deliver great results for the American people.

In the Office of the Chairman, Dana Howell has been appointed as Executive Assistant. With over three decades of government service under her belt, Howell previously served in the Managing Director's office of the FCC as an Information Resource Manager and Chief Operating Resource (COR) for the agency's Chief Information Officer. Prior to this, she provided administrative support to Chairman Carr and his team.

Adam Jackman, the new Director of Strategic Communications in the Office of Media Relations, brings a wealth of experience from his previous role as Director of Digital Communications for the United States House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party. In this capacity, Jackman authored, produced, and curated a variety of the Committee's media content.

Before joining the FCC, Jackman earned his Bachelor's Degree in History and Political Science, summa cum laude, from the University of Southern California. He also worked as an FCC attorney advisor in the old "Common Carrier" Bureau and the Media Bureau, as well as an associate in several private law firms.

Adam Candeub, the new General Counsel for the FCC, comes to the Commission with a strong legal background. Prior to his appointment, Candeub was a law professor at Michigan State University. He also worked as an FCC attorney advisor in the old "Common Carrier" Bureau.

Jay Schwarz, the new Chief of the Space Bureau, has a rich history with the FCC. Before joining then-Chairman Ajit Pai's team in 2017, Schwarz held positions in the Wireline Competition Bureau, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, and the Office of Strategic Planning. Schwarz was appointed as chief of the Space Bureau at the FCC. He holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Pittsburgh and an undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University.

These new appointments are part of Carr's efforts to build out his leadership team at the FCC. The Chairman looks forward to drawing on the counsel and advice of the new staff members as they work together to increase economic opportunity, promote free speech, and shape the regulatory and policy efforts of the Commission.

The current FCC leadership team is chaired by Brendan Carr, a Republican, who was designated chairman by President Donald Trump. Commissioners Olivia Trusty and Anna Gomez, a Republican and a Democrat, respectively, play key roles in shaping the agency's regulatory and policy efforts. Trusty, who was confirmed by the Senate on June 17, 2025, brings extensive experience in communications policy from her public service on Capitol Hill and the private sector. Gomez, appointed by President Biden, emphasizes protecting consumers, promoting innovation and competition, and securing communication networks.

The recent appointments reflect a Republican majority focused on deregulatory reforms and innovation in the telecom industry. These new staff members will help ensure that the FCC continues to deliver great results for the American people.

Former FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, who led the commission before Carr, recently transitioned out of FCC leadership and joined the private sector as a board member at Intrado Life & Safety, Inc. Rosenworcel was known for pioneering initiatives on emergency communications, cybersecurity, and addressing AI impacts on telecommunications during her tenure at the FCC.

[1] FCC Press Release, "FCC Chairman Carr Announces Staff Appointments," 10 September 2025. [2] Intrado Life & Safety, Inc., "Jessica Rosenworcel Joins Intrado Life & Safety Board of Directors," 15 September 2025. [3] White House Press Release, "President Trump Designates Brendan Carr as Chairman of the FCC," 1 July 2025. [4] FCC Press Release, "FCC Chairman Carr Announces 'Build America Agenda,'" 15 July 2025.

1. In the new leadership team at the FCC, Adam Candeub, the General Counsel, boasts a strong legal background, having taught law at Michigan State University before his appointment.
2. The new Director of Strategic Communications in the Office of Media Relations, Adam Jackman, has a diverse experience in media content, having previously authored, produced, and curated content for the United States House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party.
3. Dana Howell, Executive Assistant to Chairman Brendan Carr, brings over three decades of government service to the table, with her most recent role being the Chief Operating Resource for the FCC's Chief Information Officer.
4. The recruited staff members, including Jay Schwarz, the new Chief of the Space Bureau, were appointed as part of Carr's efforts to build out his leadership team at the FCC, and the Chairman looks forward to leveraging their expertise to increase economic opportunity, promote free speech, and shape the regulatory and policy efforts of the Commission.

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