USTelecom Taps Spalter as CEO in Surprise Move
USTelecom named Mobile Future Chairman Jonathan Spalter its CEO, replacing Walter McCormick effective Jan. 1. Spalter has broader tech industry experience and held "key positions in national security policy and technology management" in President Bill Clinton's administration, a release said Tuesday. USTelecom narrowed its search recently, but Spalter's name didn't surface in early September (see 1609090008).
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It's an "important time of technological change and advancement in the broadband industry," USTelecom Chairman Robert Hunt said. Spalter said his top priority is to make clear "the extraordinary value world-leading wired broadband infrastructure brings -- and the stake all Americans have in constructive bipartisan, policies that support its continued evolution."
The appointment of a wireless official with Clinton ties raised some eyebrows, particularly as the Nov. 8 election nears, but Spalter received high marks from parties we contacted, including free-market conservatives. "I've always been impressed by him," said TechFreedom President Berin Szoka. Wireless and wireline distinctions are breaking down, and even mobile and fixed wireless distinctions would blur as 5G networks and services are rolled out, Szoka said. As for Spalter's political background, Szoka said, "Some of the most reasonable people in telecom came out of the Clinton administration. They are pragmatic and reality driven."
Spalter "has an impressive resume," emailed Randolph May, Free State Foundation president. "He brings to the job a variety of experiences that give him a good grounding in policy and the way Washington works, not to mention executive experience. So, this looks like a good pick for USTelecom. I’d like to see communications policy once again be grounded in at least a bit more bipartisanship, and, hopefully, Mr. Spalter’s experience will give him a basis for fostering that, while advocating less regulation.”
Spalter was Mobile Future's chairman for eight years and CEO of Snocap, a digital content service company, and of Atmedica WorldWide, an online healthcare affiliate of Vivendi Universal. At Vivendi, he also was executive vice president-business development and strategy at its Internet subsidiary, VivendiNet, and the group's senior vice president-global policy. In the Clinton administration, he held a variety of posts, including associate director of the U.S Information Agency, aide to Vice President Al Gore, and on the staff of the National Security Council and Pentagon. Spalter currently lives in the San Francisco Bay area, where he advises tech companies, financial institutions and nonprofits. He plans to move to Washington, a USTelecom spokeswoman said.
"I think he's going to do an amazing job," said Eric Einhorn, Windstream senior vice president-government affairs and a member of USTelecom's board who was on the search committee. "Very smart, great background. I think he's someone who works across the aisle. He's a moderate guy. It wasn't a political hire. It was a hire focused on someone who has great substance and experience."
Morgan Lewis communications attorney Andy Lipman called it an "inspired hire." Spalter "looks like the candidate from 'Central Casting,'" he emailed. "Good blend of Dem party policy and government experience & contacts, tech credentials and trade association background." Blair Levin, a Brookings Institute fellow and former senior FCC official, agreed. "It's a good choice. He's a very able guy," Levin said. "These jobs require you to be able to deal with politics, policy, technology and markets. A lot of people have some of those skills, but getting someone that meets all the criteria is tough. [Spalter] definitely meets those criteria." Spalter is also a "good listener," which will be important because USTelecom has a "diverse and complicated constituency, and the politics is getting more complicated," Levin said.
Spalter is an "excellent choice," emailed ex-NAB chief David Rehr, a senior associate dean and law professor at George Mason University. "He brings powerful DC credentials, combined with extensive private sector experience. He will further elevate USTelecom’s visibility and effectiveness."
Szoka said Spalter will help USTelecom "assert itself and become more relevant" in fights against FCC regulation. "We are going to see a host of lawsuits over the next year over all the stuff [Chairman] Tom Wheeler is doing at the last minute," Szoka said, referring to such matters as broadband privacy and special access. He said USTelecom is well-positioned to lead the regulatory resistance.