WASHINGTON, D.C. — The FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) is welcoming a new Associate Chief and Chief of the Laboratory Division. It is an individual who brings more than 20 years of leadership experience spanning engineering, operations, customer service, research, and equipment‑build and compliance roles across major telecommunications and media providers.
Earning the role is Cliff Jones, who most recently led operations for Verizon’s private‑cloud infrastructure and the applications supporting Verizon’s 5G network, overseeing core‑network modernization and large‑scale cloud deployment.
“Cliff brings the supervisory strength, technical authority, compliance expertise, and transformational leadership essential for this role,” says OET Chief Andrew Hendrickson. “His telecommunications experience, regulatory grounding, and RF background position him exceptionally well to support the Laboratory Division’s mission. He will be an outstanding addition to OET, bringing operational excellence, a customer‑first mindset, and the leadership needed to support the Commission and advance its agenda. I look forward to welcoming him to the team.”
As an Associate Director at Verizon, Jones was instrumental in managing domestic and international core cloud infrastructure and operationalizing the 5G core network. He also led Verizon’s nationwide Fios Video Offices, where he directed large‑scale network operations and oversaw the Super Headend and Video Hub Office architecture. Previously, Jones was at Comcast, where he played a key role in bringing major technical advances in cable television to fruition.
As the FCC sees it, “One of OET’s missions is to manage spectrum resources and provide leadership to create new opportunities for competitive technologies and services for the American public.”
The Office maintains the U.S. Table of Frequency Allocations, manages the Experimental Licensing and Equipment Authorization programs, regulates the operation of unlicensed devices, and conducts engineering and technical studies.
