Michael Powell (lobbyist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michael Powell
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| 24th Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission | |
| In office January 22, 2001 – January 21, 2005 |
|
| President | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | William Kennard |
| Succeeded by | Kevin Martin |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Michael Kevin Powell
March 23, 1963 Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Jane Knott
(m. 1988) |
| Children | 2 |
| Parents |
|
| Relatives | Linda Powell (sister) |
| Education | College of William & Mary (BA) Georgetown University (JD) |
| Salary | $4,645,202.00 (2015) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1985–1988 |
| Unit | 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment |
Michael Kevin Powell (born March 23, 1963) is an American lawyer and leader in the telecommunications world. He is best known for being the 24th chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from 2001 to 2005. The FCC is a government agency that makes rules for TV, radio, phones, and the internet in the United States.
After his time at the FCC, Powell became the president of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA). This group represents companies that provide cable and internet services. President Bill Clinton first appointed Powell to the FCC in 1997. Later, President George W. Bush chose him to lead the commission. Michael Powell is also the son of former Secretary of State Colin Powell.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Michael Kevin Powell was born in Birmingham, Alabama, on March 23, 1963. He was the first child of Colin Powell and Alma Powell. Because his father was in the military, Michael lived in many different places. These included Dale City, Virginia, and Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
He graduated from Lake Braddock High School in Burke, Virginia, in 1981. He then attended the College of William & Mary on an ROTC scholarship. Later, Powell earned a law degree from the Georgetown University Law Center.
Military and Legal Career
Powell served as an armor officer in the United States Army. He spent most of his military time in Germany. There, he was a cavalry platoon leader. In 1987, he was seriously injured during a training mission. He was in a jeep that crashed, and he was hurt badly.
After recovering, he became an expert advisor to the Secretary of Defense. He also worked as a law clerk for a U.S. Court of Appeals. Before joining the government, Powell was a private attorney in Washington, D.C. From 1996, he worked for the Clinton Administration in the Department of Justice.
Leading the FCC
As chairman of the FCC, Michael Powell worked to open up markets for new technologies. These included VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), Wi-Fi, and Broadband over Powerline. He believed that new communication technologies would help smaller companies compete. He also thought that too many rules could slow down progress.
Powell's approach aimed to reduce regulations. This period saw many communications companies joining together. He wanted to update rules about who could own media companies. He felt the rules should reflect new technologies like the Internet.
During his time, Powell also served as the FCC's defense commissioner. He oversaw all emergency plans for the commission. He believed that old phone rules should not apply to new internet services. He supported network neutrality, which means internet providers should treat all data equally. In 2005, he fined a company for blocking internet voice applications. This was the first government action of its kind. Powell also helped people keep their phone numbers when changing wireless carriers. He supported the National Do Not Call Registry.
Post-FCC Work
Michael Powell resigned as chairman of the FCC on January 21, 2005. He said he wanted to spend more time with his family. In 2006, he joined the board of trustees for the RAND Corporation. He also served on the Board of Visitors at his old college, the College of William and Mary.
In 2006, he became the Rector of the Board of Visitors. This made him the first African-American to hold that position at the college. He served two terms as Rector.
Political Involvement
Powell is known as a "moderate Republican." He has been involved in Republican political campaigns. In the 1990s, he encouraged his father, Colin Powell, to run for President. In the 2008 United States presidential election, Michael Powell supported John McCain. His father, however, supported Barack Obama.
In 2013, Powell signed a legal document supporting same-sex marriage. This was for a case heard by the Supreme Court.
Lobbying and Net Neutrality
In 2011, Powell became the president of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA). This group represents cable and broadband companies. As a lobbyist, Powell has written many articles. He has stated his support for net neutrality. However, he has opposed the FCC's plan to enforce net neutrality by changing how broadband is classified.
Personal Life
Michael Powell married Jane Knott in 1988. They have two children together. While serving in the army in Germany, Powell was seriously injured in a jeep accident. He spent a year recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The injury affected his spine, causing him to walk with a slight forward lean.
See also
In Spanish: Michael Powell (cabildero) para niños
