Rick Kaplan Joins NAB

Former FCC top aide and bureau chief will head up spectrum policy

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 10/4/2012 4:36:16 PM

Rick Kaplan, former FCC Wireless Bureau Chief and top aide to FCC chairman Julius Genachowski, has joined the National Association of Broadcasters as executive VP of strategic planning.

It is a newly created post in which Kaplan will head spectrum policy for NAB, a critical issue as the FCC prepares to auction broadcast spectrum. He joins NAB Oct. 22.

"We are delighted to announce the hiring of Rick Kaplan, whose credibility and integrity are well-recognized both at the Commission and in telecom circles in Washington," said NAB president and CEO Gordon Smith in a statement.

Kaplan will be familiar to broadcasters as one of the FCC point people during the DTV transition.

Kaplan was also chief of staff to commissioner Mignon Clyburn before becoming chief counsel to Genachowski, Wireless Bureau chief, and helping the FCC vet the Verizon/SpectrumCo deal.