FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:            News Media contact:
May 28, 1999                            Maureen Peratino: (202) 418-0500


                HOWARD A. SHELANSKI NAMED FCC CHIEF ECONOMIST

Howard A. Shelanski has been named Chief Economist of the FCC.  Shelanski is currently
Senior Economist at the President's Council of Economic Advisors, on leave from the University
of California at Berkeley where he is a member of the law faculty.  He received his B.A. in
History from Haverford College, and his Ph.D. in economics and J.D. from the University of
California at Berkeley. 

Shelanski replaces William P. Rogerson, who is returning to his position as Professor of
Economics at Northwestern University, Evanston, IL.  Rogerson will continue to be involved with
the FCC in the capacity of Senior Economic Advisor in the Office of Plans and Policy.

Shelanski assumes his duties July 1, 1999.  Until that date, Patrick DeGraba, currently Deputy
Chief Economist will serve as Acting Chief Economist.

FCC Chairman William Kennard said, "The FCC has been extremely fortunate in
attracting highly regarded economists such as William Rogerson and Howard Shelanski.  Critical
economic analysis and thinking is increasingly important in the issues confronting the FCC as we
move to a more competitive marketplace.  I am grateful for the invaluable work William
Rogerson has performed in his year as FCC Chief Economist.  I am also extremely pleased that
we've once again been able to attract a brilliant economist like Howard Shelanski to give us the
benefit of his expertise and knowledge."

Shelanski previously practiced telecommunications law in Washington, D.C. and served as
a law clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.

Shelanski's research and teaching interests include regulation, competition policy, and
industrial organization.  His recent work includes studies of spectrum regulation,
telecommunications competition, and the economics of antitrust and innovation.

                            - FCC -