Pai Looks To WBK For New Enforcement Bureau Chief

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A former Key West, Fla., bureau chief for the Miami Herald who served as the FCC’s Media Bureau Deputy Chief from 2005-2008 and then as a legal advisor to then-Commissioner Robert McDowell is set to return to the FCC.


That’s because Chairman Ajit Pai announced Wednesday (6/21) that he intends to appoint Rosemary Harold to serve as chief of the all-important Enforcement Bureau.

Harold will rejoin the FCC after nearly six years as an attorney at Wilkinson Barker Knauer in Washington, D.C., where she specializes in media, broadband, and First Amendment issues.

Prior to joining WBK, Harold worked with Commissioner McDowell, and had been with the FCC for nearly six years.

Before that, Harold spent 14 years as an attorney at Wiley Rein.

Harold transitioned to a career in law after receiving her Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law School in 1991. Before attending law school, Harold spent two years as an editorial coordinator at C-SPAN. She began her career at the Miami Herald under then-owner Knight-Ridder.

Taking note of the FCC’s newfound force against pirate broadcasters, Pai said, “Our Enforcement Bureau has been getting back on track in recent months, and I am confident in Rosemary’s ability to continue this progress. Our enforcement efforts must be governed by the facts and the law, and Rosemary’s experience and expertise will help us conduct sound investigations and craft legally sustainable enforcement actions.  This is especially important when it comes to FCC priorities like protecting consumers against illegal robocalls and confronting unlawful interference with broadcast licensees.”

Ms. Harold will be working closely with Michael Carowitz who, having served as acting bureau chief, will continue to help lead the bureau as Deputy Bureau Chief.

Chairman Pai praised Mr. Carowitz’s work as acting chief.

“Michael’s steady hand at the helm of this important Bureau has helped us stay on task in protecting consumers and enforcing the law,” Pai said. “I thank Michael for his superb and tireless work—including his focus on reaching out to our field office staff who play such an important role in fulfilling our mission.”


RBR+TVBR OBSERVATION: Congrats to another Herald veteran! Our Editor-In-Chief was a contributing writer to the Herald’s Tropical Life section while based in Los Angeles and covered pirate radio, among other radio and music-related topics, for the Herald until 2006. With your journalism experience coupled with your extensive experience at two top D.C. law firms, we look forward to seeing tough enforcement of the buccaneers of broadcasting that continue to plague all of South Florida, the New York Tri-State Area, and Boston.