Kevin J. Martin
Kevin J. Martin, of North Carolina, is the Chair of the Federal Communications Commission. He was first confirmed as an FCC Commissioner on May 25, 2001, and was sworn in July 3, 2001, during George Walker Bush's first administration. On April 25, 2006, Bush nominated Martin to a second five-year term on the FCC, expiring on June 30, 2011. Martin became the FCC's Chairman upon his appointment. [1]
On Regulation
"A robust competitive marketplace is the best regulator and protector of public interest," Martin told the audience at a March 2007 event at his alma mater, the University of North Carolina. "But that doesn't mean that government doesn't have an important role to play. It sets up a regulatory environment that promotes investment and competition." [2]
Martin "has privately questioned recent Congressional testimony" by Sirius Satellite Radio chief executive Mel Karmazin, reported the New York Times in March 2007. Karmazin had claimed that "prices would not be raised and that listeners would benefit enormously by getting the best programming from both companies," if his company's proposed $13 billion merger with XM Satellite Radio were allowed to proceed. Martin told the New York Times, "The commission will need to determine the benefits to consumers of this deal, and in doing that, we will need to carefully look at what price will be frozen and what consumers will be getting for that price." [3]
Background
Martin, a Republican born in Charlotte, N.C., was selected March 16, 2005, by President Bush as FCC Chairman to replace Michael Powell, who announced in January 2005 that he was leaving the top post. "Because he already is a member of the FCC, Martin's promotion, which had been widely expected, does not need to be confirmed by the Senate." [4]
"Kevin Martin, was one of the first national Bush-Cheney people to arrive in Miami from Washington, on Nov. 8, 2000. He had been a deputy general counsel for the Bush campaign and before that worked for Ken Starr, the independent counsel in the Monica Lewinsky affair." [5] [6]
Martin previously worked in the Office of the Independent Counsel, at the law and lobby firm Wiley, Rein, & Fielding, and advised former FCC Commissioner Harold Furchtgott-Roth. [7]
Martin is married to Cathie Martin, former communications director for Vice President Dick Cheney and currently a member of President George W. Bush's communications staff. [8]
Affiliations
- Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy
- Bush-Cheney Transition Team
- Deputy General Counsel for the Bush campaign
- Advisor to FCC Commissioner Harold Furchtgott-Roth
- Office of the Independent Counsel
- Associate at Washington, DC law firm Wiley, Rein, & Fielding
- Judicial clerk, U.S. District Court Judge William M. Hoeveler, Miami, FL
- Member, Florida Bar Association
- Member, District of Columbia Bar Association
- Member, Federal Communications Bar Association
SourceWatch Resources
External Links
- Biography: Kevin J. Martin, Federal Communications Commission.
- Genaro C. Amas, "Bush to Name Kevin Martin New FCC Chairman," AP, March 16, 2005.
- Personnel Announcement: "The President intends to designate Kevin J. Martin, of North Carolina, to be Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission," White House, March 16, 2005.
- Eric Alterman, "Meet the New FCC Boss," AlterNet, March 24, 2005.
- Julia Vail, "FCC chairman: Balance is key - Speaks at media law center opening," Daily Tar Heel (University of North Carolina), March 6, 2007.
- Stephen Labaton, "F.C.C. Chief Questioning Radio Deal," New York Times, March 7, 2007.
- Brooks Boliek, "Martin seeking to unclog FCC," The Hollywood Reporter, March 16, 2007.
- Brendan McGarry, "McDowell's Former Boss Lobbies Against XM-Sirius Merger,"
"Well Connected: Telecom Watch," a blog by the Center for Public Integrity, May 8, 2007.
