Software & Information Industry Association appoints Morten Skroejer, ex-Atlantic Council, senior director-technology competition policy … EchoStar taps Hamid Akhavan, ex-Twin Point Capital, as CEO-president, effective March 31, succeeding Michael Dugan, retiring ... Blockchain interface company Riddle & Code announces ex-Deutsche Telekom executive John Calian as co-CEO.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announces retirements of Elizabeth Lyle, assistant general counsel-Office of the General Counsel’s Administrative Law Division; Ziad Sleem, associate division chief-engineering, Wireless Bureau’s Competition and Infrastructure Policy Division; and Sherita Kennedy, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau’s Disability Rights Office's consumer engagement team.
DOJ moves Eun Young Choi to be the first director-National Cryptocurrency Enforcement ... President Joe Biden announces Alondra Nelson, Office of Science and Technology Policy deputy director-science and society, will perform director’s duties, and Francis Collins, ex-National Institutes of Health, will perform duties of science adviser to the president and co-chair, President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, until permanent leadership is nominated and confirmed … TeamMeta moves Nick Clegg to president-global affairs … Alliance for Open Media hires Microsoft’s John Simmons as executive director.
NetImpact Strategies hires Naren Dasu from Amazon Web Services, also ex-Microsoft and Samsung, as chief technology officer ... Cryptocurrency platform FalconX hires Pinterest’s Jon Kaplan, also ex-Google, as head of revenue ... Web accessibility company UserWay adds former Equalweb CEO Adam Ikar as chief strategy officer ... Cryptocurrency platform FalconX hires Pinterest’s Jon Kaplan, also ex-Google, as head of revenue.
Chris Laughlin, ex-Kelley Drye, says he joined the FCC as attorney adviser-Wireline Bureau Competition Division … Morgan Lewis announces David Plotinsky, ex-DOJ, as partner focusing on “trade, information communications technology and services, and critical and emerging technology” … Vizio promotes Platform+ business head Michael O’Donnell to chief revenue/strategic growth officer (see 2202150002).
Gov. Doug Burgum (R) appoints Capital Electric Cooperative Board Chairwoman Sheri Haugen-Hoffart to the three-member North Dakota Public Service Commission, filling the seat vacated by Brian Kroshus, now state tax commissioner … Quality One Wireless promotes Mick Olinik to chief information officer, replacing retiring Garrett Grainger ... Cybersecurity company TrueFort adds Imperva’s Matt Hathaway as chief marketing officer.
Utilities Technology Council hires Teesa Banks, joining from a mental health services organization, as chief of staff; government IT consultant Menen Fantay as vice president-operations, rejoining UTC; PR professional Peter Wilson as communications director; and FCC licensing professional Dana Daberko as frequency coordinator; it promotes Christopher Brent to manager-membership and meetings.
Wireless ISP Association says CEO Claude Aiken is leaving association at the end of April and search committee is being formed … Samsung promotes Mark Benson to head-SmartThings U.S., newly created role ... Thunderbird Entertainment Group hires Lana Castleman from the Writers Guild of Canada as director-marketing and communications ... Visa promotes Jennifer Como to head-investor relations, succeeding Mike Milotich, departing to become Marqeta chief financial officer, effective Feb. 22; he replaces current Marqeta CFO Tripp Faix, stepping down but remaining advisor through March 31.
Wireless ISP Association hires Steve Schwerbel, ex-Wisconsin Senate Committee on Utilities, Technology and Telecommunications, as manager-state government affairs, new position … Brightcove taps ViacomCBS Chief Digital Officer Marc DeBevoise as CEO and adds him to the board, effective March 28, succeeding Jeff Ray, retiring.
Wilkinson Barker taps Matt Gerst, ex-CTIA, as partner focusing on telecommunications and state regulation … California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) appoints Office of Digital Innovation Director Amy Tong to be California Government Operations Agency secretary … NPR hires Will Lee, ex-Meredith, as chief operating officer.