[registrars] NTIA

["Nevett, Jonathon" <jnevett@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

All:  FYI.  Jon


Commerce Official Leaving Bush Team 


By THE NEW YORK TIMES

By The New York Times

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 - Michael D. Gallagher, the top Bush administration
official for telecommunications issues, said on Monday that he had
decided to step down early next year.

Mr. Gallagher, the head of the National Telecommunications and
Information Administration at the Commerce Department, has played a
major role in negotiations between the wireless industry and the
Pentagon over steps to free valuable radio spectrum for use by the
industry. He has also led the administration's efforts to beat back
proposals by some countries for tighter regulation over the Internet.

Earlier this year, Mr. Gallagher was a contender to head the Federal
Communications Commission, ultimately losing to Kevin J. Martin.

Mr. Gallagher said he would take time off, probably beginning in
January, to consider his next career move. He said he expected to remain
in Washington. 

He began his career in the capital in 1995 as an aide to Representative
Rick White, a Republican from his home state, Washington. He later
served as a lobbyist for AirTouch Communications and Verizon
<http://www.nytimes.com/redirect/marketwatch/redirect.ctx?MW=http://cust
om.marketwatch.com/custom/nyt-com/html-companyprofile.asp&symb=VZ>
Wireless
<http://www.nytimes.com/redirect/marketwatch/redirect.ctx?MW=http://cust
om.marketwatch.com/custom/nyt-com/html-companyprofile.asp&symb=WLHO> . 

He joined the Commerce Department in 2001 and has led its
telecommunications agency for two years.