FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Terrie Prosper, 415.703.1366, news@cpuc.ca.gov
PUC WELCOMES NEW COMMISSIONER RACHELLE CHONG
SAN FRANCISCO, January 12, 2006 - The California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) today announced that Rachelle Chong has been sworn in as a new Commissioner and will be in attendance at today's business meeting. Commissioner Chong was appointed to the Commission yesterday by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to complete the term of former Commissioner Susan P. Kennedy, which runs through 2008. The Honorable Kathleen Kelly, Superior Court Judge for the City and County of San Francisco, administered the oath of office.
"I am honored Governor Schwarzenegger has asked me to bring the knowledge and understanding of telecommunications policy I gained as a member of the Federal Communications Commission back to serve in my home state of California," said Commissioner Chong. "I am especially proud to be the first Asian-American Commissioner at the PUC."
In welcoming Commissioner Chong, PUC President Michael R. Peevey remarked that, "Commissioner Chong's deep experience with communications policy development at the federal level will help the PUC achieve important reforms in the rapidly changing communications market place."
Commissioner Chong has more than 21 years of experience in telecommunications law and policy, including three years as a Commissioner on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from 1994 to 1997. While a member of the FCC, she participated in implementing the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the first Personal Communications Service wireless auctions, the finalization of digital television rules, and the provision of new wireless and satellite services. Most recently, Commissioner Chong has owned and operated her own business as a mediator, arbitrator, and expert witness. In this capacity, she served as an arbitrator for the International Chamber of Commerce. From 2000-2001, Commissioner Chong also served as General Counsel and Vice President of Government Affairs for BroadBand Office, Inc. Prior to this, she was a partner in the Telecommunications and Internet Practice of the Coudert Brothers law firm. From 1987 to 1994, she served first as an associate attorney, and later as a partner, in the Public Utilities Practice Group of the law firm of Graham and James, specializing in matters before the PUC. Commissioner Chong's professional experience also includes three years as an associate attorney with the law firm of Kadison, Pfaelzer, Woodard, Quinn and Rossi in Washington, D.C., handling mass media, wireless, and energy cases.
Commissioner Chong currently serves on the Board of Directors of Lightbridge, Inc., a publicly held company, and as a Trustee of the Association of Public Television Stations. She is a member of and former co-chair of the Federal Communications Bar Association, Northern California Chapter. She is a member of the American Bar Association, Women in Telecommunications, the Asian American Bar Association of San Francisco, the Organization of Chinese Americans, and Asian Pacific American Women's Leadership Institute.
A native Stocktonian, she is a Phi Beta Kappa 1981 graduate of UC Berkeley, and holds a 1984 law degree from UC Hastings College of the Law, where she was editor-in-chief of Comm/Ent Law Journal.
Commissioners are appointed to the PUC for six-year terms at a salary of $114,191 per year and require Senate confirmation.
For more information on the PUC, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov.
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