- January 15, 2009 - The Aspen Institute Communications and Society Program announced today that Kevin Martin, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission from 2005 to January 20, 2009, will become a Senior Fellow to the Program beginning immediately upon his departure from the Commission. This will mark the fourth consecutive FCC Chairman to take this fellowship at the Aspen Institute upon leaving the Commission. The tradition, beginning with Democrats Reed Hundt (1993-97) and William Kennard (1997-2001), continued with Republican Michael Powell (2001-05) and now Martin.

"Chairman Martin has been a longtime participant in Aspen Institute forums," said Charles Firestone, executive director of the Program. "We look forward to working with him and to the advice he will give us." Firestone also noted the past participation of the anticipated next Chairman, Julius Genachowski, in the Aspen Institute Forum on Communications and Society (FOCAS), an annual summer conference in Aspen, pointing out the non-partisan nature of the Program.

"I have long enjoyed and respected the Communications and Society Program," Martin said, "and will relish the opportunity to reflect on the nature of leadership that I exercised in this field for the past several years."

The Communications and Society Program serves as a non-partisan venue for global leaders and experts to exchange insights on the societal impact of advances in digital technology and network communications. It also creates a multidisciplinary space in the communications policy-making world where veteran and emerging decision-makers can explore new concepts and develop new policy networks.

The Aspen Institute mission is twofold: to foster values-based leadership, encouraging individuals to reflect on the ideals and ideas that define a good society, and to provide a neutral and balanced venue for discussing and acting on critical issues. The Aspen Institute does this primarily in four ways: seminars, young-leader fellowships around the globe, policy programs and public conferences and events. The Institute is based in Washington, D.C., Aspen, Colorado, and on the Wye River on Maryland's Eastern Shore and has an international network of partners.

Aspen Institute

Aspen Institute

The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, DC. Its mission is to foster leadership based on enduring values and to provide a nonpartisan venue for dealing with critical issues. The Institute has campuses in Aspen, Colorado, and on the Wye River on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. It also maintains offices in New York City and has an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org or follow on Twitter @AspenInstitute.

More from Aspen Institute