The White House announced yesterday President Donald Trump’s intent to nominate Nathan A. Simington, of Virginia, to be a member of the Federal Communications Commission to replace current Republican Commissioner Michael O’Rielly.
Simington, a Senior Advisor in the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) specializing in network and telecommunications policy, played a leading role in drafting a petition required under the Trump administration’s social media executive order issued over the summer.
Among his many responsibilities across the telecommunications industry, he works on 5G security and secure supply chains, the American Broadband Initiative, and is NTIA’s representative to the Government Advisory Committee of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers.
Prior to his appointment at NTIA, Simington was Senior Counsel to Brightstar Corporation, a leading international company in the wireless industry. In this role, he negotiated deals with companies across the spectrum of the telecommunications and internet industry, including most of the world’s leading wireless carriers.
Simington’s LinkedIn page says his full time employment at the Department of Commerce began in June.
Brightstar is also the leading trader in used wireless devices, the leading device recycler, and they offer unique service, finance and insurance products to carriers and enterprises.
As the head lawyer on the advanced mobility products team, he spearheaded numerous international transactions in the devices, towers and services fields and forged strong relationships with leading telecom equipment manufacturers. Prior to his career with Brightstar, Simington was an attorney in private practice with prominent national and international law firms.
O’Rielly was previously nominated for a third-term by Trump, but his nomination was withdrawn after he made a speech expressing concerns over the administration’s social media order that would empower the FCC to regulate content moderation on social media platforms.
In a Tweet, O’Rielly said, “I extend my sincere congrats to Mr. Simington for selection to join [the FCC], and offer best wishes for a smooth confirmation process and successful term at the Commission.”
