Neil Patel Nominated to Head NTIA

Succeeds Meredith Atwell Baker as Head of National Telecommunications and Information Administration

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 3/5/2008 6:36:00 PM

As expected, the White House nominated Neil Patel to head the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, which is overseeing thedigital-TV-to-analog converter-box-coupon program.

Meredith Atwell Baker, who has been heading the program as acting NTIA chief, confirmed last week that she was leaving the agency.

Patel has been assistant secretary for domestic and economic policy to Vice President Dick Cheney. Before that, according to the NTIA, he was staff secretary to the VP and is former general counsel at UUNET Technologies.

Baker has not given any timetable for her departure, but Patel must still be confirmed by the Senate.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin praised the nomination: “Neil Patel has been a dedicated public servant whom I have known for the past seven years," he said in a statement late Friday. "I am pleased someone of Neil’s caliber is filling this position at NTIA at such a crucial time. 

"Neil’s extensive experience with technology and telecommunications issues will immediately help advance NTIA’s goals and ultimately benefit consumers across multimedia platforms. I look forward to working with Neil on a broad range of issues, and especially as we prepare the country for the transition to digital.”