TPR's Top Telecom Lobbyist Picks For March

Telecom Policy Report,  April 7, 2004  

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It has been a year since Telecom Policy Report began its monthly listing of the telecom industry's top lobbyists. These past months, our editors have selected more than 90 industry advocates for recognition. And whether we agree or disagree with their respective positions, we happily acknowledge each of our picks as professionals who are at the top of their game. Next month, TPR will name its top 10 lobbyist picks of the year.

Rank: 1

Name: David Rudd

Company: Palmetto Group 801 Pa. Ave. NW Suite 730 Washington, DC Significance: Advocates before Congress on behalf of Nextel Communications and AT&T. His primary issues include special access reform and spectrum-related legislation. He played a key role in helping get most of what Nextel wanted in the FCC's not-yet-released compromise on Nextel's spectrum swap proposal.

Rank: 2

Name: John Scheibel

Company: Yahoo! Inc. 2000 Pa. Ave. NW Suite 4200 Washington, DC Significance: Now Washington counsel and director of government relations for Yahoo! Inc., he formerly served as vice president and general counsel of the Computer & Communications Industry Association. His issues this congressional session include database misappropriation, online music licensing, digital rights management, mandates on Internet companies, government choice of technologies, and new liability schemes for ISPs to use in enforcing copyright protections on behalf of rights-holders.

Rank: 3

Name: Kim Bayliss

Company: Dutko Group 412 First St. NE Suite 1000 Washington, DC Significance: Specializing in telecom and high-tech issues, she has extensive experience with the legislative process. Previously worked for 10 years in the office of the late Rep. Mike Synar (D-Okla.). Ended her tenure there as the Synar's most senior aide, overseeing all aspects of his legislative operation. Former VP of government relations for United Video Satellite Group (UVSG), she was sole lobbyist representing the company on telecom and intellectual property issues before Congress, the FCC and the U.S. Copyright Office.

Rank: 4

Name: Earl Comstock

Company: Sher & Blackwell 1850 M St., NW Suite 900 Washington, DC Significance: Represents Earthlink, advocating for issues that include open cable access. He spent 10 years working in the Senate and served as a special counsel for telecommunications for the Senate Commerce Committee in 1995-1996, during which time he played a key role in drafting the 1996 Telecom Act. From 1992 to 1997 he was chief counsel and legislative director for Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), chairman of the Appropriations Committee and a senior Republican on the Senate Commerce Committee.

Rank: 5

Name: Jeff MacKinnon

Company: Ryan, Phillips, Utrecht & MacKinnon 1133 Conn. Ave. NW Suite 300 Washington, DC

Significance: A principal with the firm for nine years, he represents clients in the telecom, energy, healthcare and finance sectors. He worked for Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) for eight years, which means he has a natural "in" with the new chairman of the House Commerce Committee.

His law firm recently helped Carol Moseley Braun's Democratic presidential campaign comply with the new rules governing campaign finance reform.

Rank: 6

Name: Stacey Stern Albert

Company: Hewlett Packard 900 17 St. NW Suite 1100 Washington, DC Significance: Advocates on behalf of the Internet tax moratorium, "digital divide" issues, charitable donation of computers, research and development tax credits, and is a disciple of HP Chairman and CEO Carly Fiorina's edict on the importance of building and sustaining corporate social and environmental responsibility.

Rank: 7

Name: Bill Briggs

Company: DC Navigators LLC 901 7th St. NW Suite 200 Washington, DC Significance: Director of legislative affairs for the firm, which was formerly known as Anderson Pitts, LLC, he now lobbies on behalf of BellSouth, advocating the loosening of regulation that constrains the Bell Operating Companies.

Rank: 8

Name: Doug Wiley

Company: Alcatel 1909 K St. NW Suite 800 Washington, DC Significance: The son of former FCC Chairman Richard Wiley (Wiley Rein & Fielding) he focuses on spectrum issues, Internet privacy, Internet growth and development, critical infrastructure, encryption technology export polices, broadband access, e-commerce and CALEA.

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