July 24, 1998

     THOMAS C. SPAVINS NAMED CHIEF ECONOMIST, COMPLIANCE AND
                       INFORMATION BUREAU
          Richard Lee, Chief of the Compliance and Information Bureau, announced
today that Thomas C. Spavins has been appointed Chief Economist of the Compliance and
Information Bureau. Spavins will focus his work on the enforcement activities of the Bureau.
The Compliance and Information Bureau is the fourth major Bureau to designate a full time
Chief Economist. The Common Carrier Bureau, Mass Media Bureau, and International Bureau
had previously established such positions. 

          Spavins joined the Federal Communications Commission in 1983. He has
served as Assistant for Special Projects in the Office of the General Counsel, Assistant Bureau
Chief of the Common Carrier Bureau, and Deputy Chief of the Office of Plans and Policy.
Before joining the Commission Spavins was a senior Economist in the Economic Policy Office
of the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice. 

          He holds a B.A. in Economics from Queens College, C.U.N.Y. He also holds
M.A. and M.Phil degrees in economics from Yale University. 

          He lives in Arlington, Virginia, with his wife and two daughters.   

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