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Jonathan Adelstein

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Jonathan Steven Adelstein
Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission
In office
December 3, 2002 – June 29, 2009
PresidentGeorge W. Bush
Barack Obama
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service, United States Department of Agriculture
In office
July 2009 – September 2012
PresidentBarack Obama
Preceded byJames M. Andrew
Succeeded byJohn Charles Padalino
Personal details
BornRapid City, South Dakota, U.S.
CitizenshipUnited States of America
SpouseKaren Brenner
Residence(s)Washington, D.C.
Alma materStanford University (B.A., M.A.)
ProfessionPublic policy
CommitteesUnited States President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology
White House Business Council

Jonathan Steven Adelstein is an American political appointee and trade association president. He was nominated to posts by Republican President George W. Bush and Democratic President Barack Obama, serving as a Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Administrator of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service.

From 2012 to 2022, Mr. Adelstein served as the President and CEO of the Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA), which represents over 200 companies that own and build wireless broadband facilities in the United States.[1] During his tenure, WIA tripled in revenue, achieved a number of federal policy goals, and established a state program that successfully steered legislation in over 30 states.[2]

Adelstein joined DigitalBridge on 1 June 2022 as the managing director and head of global policy and public investment.[3] In April 2024, he was named as the executive vice president, chief strategy, and external affairs officer at TWN.[4] He also serves as the senior advisor to Vertical Bridge.[4]

Education

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Adelstein received an M.A. in History and a B.A., with Distinction, in Political Science from Stanford University. He attended Harvard Kennedy School at Harvard University and served as a Teaching Fellow in history at Harvard and a Teaching Assistant at Stanford.[5]

Public service

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U.S. Senate (1988–2002)

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Adelstein served for fifteen years as a staff member in the United States Senate. During his final seven years on Capitol Hill, he served as a senior legislative aide to Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota, advising him on technology, telecommunications, financial services, budget, housing, transportation and other key issues. Previously, he served as a legislative advisor to Senator David Pryor of Arkansas, and Senator Donald W. Riegle Jr. of Michigan.[6]

Federal Communications Commission (2002–2009)

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Adelstein was confirmed unanimously twice by the Senate to serve as Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from 2002 to 2009. On the FCC, he sought to secure access to communications for everyone, including those left behind by the market. He fought for media diversity and localism, encouraging increased public access to the media to support free expression and a well-informed citizenry.[citation needed]

U.S. Department of Agriculture (2009–2012)

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Adelstein was nominated by President Barack Obama and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate in July 2009 to serve as the 17th Administrator of the USDA Rural Utilities Service ("RUS"). He served in the post until 2012.[7]

As RUS Administrator, he oversaw a $60 billion portfolio of rural electric, water and telecommunications infrastructure loans. As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, he led the investment of $3.5 billion in rural broadband expansion to create jobs and provide new or improved broadband service to seven million residents, businesses and community facilities. He managed the investment of over $3 billion in loans and grants in to repair and upgrade rural water and waste systems. He led RUS's $6 billion rural electric program to modernize the electric grid, and expanded investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency and smart grid.[8]

White House Councils

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As a member of the Obama Administration, Adelstein was appointed as a member of the White House National Science and Technology Council, which coordinates science and technology policy across the federal government, and the White House Business Council, leading Council meetings with business leaders across America.[1][9][10]

Personal life

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Adelstein is the son of Stan Adelstein.[11]

References

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  1. ^ a b "About Staff Jonathan S. Adelstein". Alexandria, V.A.: PCIA - The Wireless Infrastructure Association. June 16, 2014. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014.
  2. ^ "WIA Announces Upcoming Departure of President and Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Adelstein". March 2, 2022.
  3. ^ "DigitalBridge Appoints Jonathan S. Adelstein as Head of Global Policy and Public Investment |".
  4. ^ a b Combs, DeAnn (April 26, 2024). "Jonathan Adelstein Named EVP, Chief Strategy and External Affairs at TWN". Inside Towers.
  5. ^ "Biography of Former Commissioner Jonathan S. Adelstein". FCC. Washington, D.C.: Federal Communications Commission. January 27, 2014. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  6. ^ "Name: Adelstein, Jonathan". Officials. AllGov.com. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  7. ^ "Statement from Agriculture Secretary Vilsack on Departure of Rural Utilities Service Administrator Jonathan Adelstein" (Press release). Washington, D.C.: United States Department of Agriculture. September 2, 2012. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  8. ^ "Statement of Jonathan Adelstein, Administrator, USDA Rural Utilities Service; Hearing Before House Small Business Committee" (PDF). Support Documents. Washington, D.C.: United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development. July 18, 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 18, 2013. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  9. ^ Adelstein, Jonathan (May 24, 2011). "White House Business Council Roundtable Held in Mexico, Missouri". The White House Blog. Washington, D.C.: The White House, Office of the President of the United States. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  10. ^ "Speaker Biographies". The Americas Spectrum Management Conference 2011. Cardiff, U.K.: Forum Europe. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  11. ^ Journal, Eric John Abrahamson, Special to the Rapid City (December 27, 2002). "Jonathan Adelstein makes a name for himself on the FCC". Rapid City Journal Media Group.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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