The White House says that President Biden intends to nominate Anna M. Gomez, a veteran of the FCC and NTIA, as FCC commissioner. In addition, Biden will nominate Geoffrey Starks and Brendan Carr to continue in their roles as commissioners, the White House said.
Gomez is the second nominee Biden has made for fifth spot on the commission. The previous nominee, Gigi Sohn, asked Biden to withdraw his nomination, citing “unrelenting, dishonest and cruel attacks” on her character that went on for over a year after she was nominated but not approved by federal legislators.
Gomez is a telecom attorney with experience in domestic and international communications law and policy, according to the Biden administration. She is currently a Senior Advisor for International Information and Communications Policy in the State Department’s Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy.
Gomez was the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Deputy Administrator from 2009 to 2013. She also served for 12 years in FCC positions including Deputy Chief of the International Bureau and Senior Legal Advisor to then-Chairman William E. Kennard. She “briefly” was Counsel on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Subcommittee on Communication and Deputy Chief of Staff of the National Economic Council, the White House said.
Prior to joining the State Department in 2023, Gomez was a partner in Wiley LLP’s telecommunications media and technology group. She also was Vice president for Federal and State Government Affairs at Sprint Nextel and an Associate at Arnold and Porter.
She was born and raised in Orlando, FL and got her J.D. from George Washington University Law School.
FCC Chairwomen Jessica Rosenworcel congratulated all three nominees. She said in a press release that Gomez “brings with her a wealth of telecommunications experience, a substantial record of public service, and a history of working to ensure the U.S. stays on the cutting edge of keeping us all connected. I wish her all the best during the confirmation process.”
