Boucher to Be Honorary Chair of Internet Innovation Alliance

Jamal Simmons named co-chair

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 5/24/2011 6:00:00 AM

Former House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Rick Boucher (D-Va.) has been named honorary chairman of the Internet Innovation Alliance. Political analyst and consultant Jamal Simmons has been named honorary co-chair. 

IIA is a group of tech companies building and deploying broadband networks--Corning, AT&T, Alcatel-Lucent--that are advocating for universal broadband deployment.

"Congressman Boucher and Jamal Simmons are a natural fit to join IIA," said IIA Co-Chairman Bruce Mehlman. "The Alliance has long marshaled innovation leaders in support of public policies that harness the power of high-speed Internet to benefit all Americans. We are thrilled to partner on achieving universal broadband with these two leaders who have been so dedicated to expanding access to opportunity for all Americans."

Boucher was a founder and co-chair of the House Internet Caucus and was active on issues like universal service reform and privacy legislation.

He recently joined law firm Sidley & Austin as a partner, launching its "government strategies" practice. He will not be a registered lobbyist, but will coordinate its government policy strategy, according to a spokesman for the firm.

Upon his departure from the Congress at the end of the last session (he was unseated in the Republican House blitz), Boucher was universally praised for his intellect in general, his command of telecom and tech issues in particular, and his ability to work with Democrats and Republicans after having served 14 terms in the House. 

Simmons was an advisor on the Obama campaign and also worked on the Clinton and Gore campaigns.