Press Release: Former FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai Joins the American Enterprise Institute

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Washington, DC (April 30, 2021) — Ryan Streeter, the director of Domestic Policy Studies at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), announced today that Ajit Pai, who served as chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from January 2017 to January 2021, is joining AEI as a visiting fellow. At AEI, Mr. Pai will work on issues pertaining to technology and innovation, telecommunications regulation, and market-based incentives for investment in broadband deployment. Concurrently, he is a partner at Searchlight Capital Partners, a global investment firm.

“As chairman of the FCC, Ajit Pai developed a well-deserved reputation as a creative thought leader on issues as wide-ranging as broadband policies for closing the digital divide to enabling investment in next-generation networks (5G). His expertise in these and related topics is a great addition to AEI’s ongoing work on technology policy,” said Ryan Streeter.

Added AEI President Robert Doar, “During his time in government, Ajit brought knowledge, energy, creativity, and wisdom to the FCC, and we are delighted that he is bringing all these strengths to AEI.”

Mr. Pai’s distinguished career at the FCC includes serving as chairman, commissioner, and deputy general counsel. He was appointed commissioner by President Barack Obama, designated chairman by President Donald Trump, and twice confirmed by the US Senate. While at the helm of the FCC, Mr. Pai had a transformative impact on the future of US technology and communications policy, implementing major initiatives to help close the digital divide; advance US leadership in 5G and other wireless technologies; promote innovation; protect consumers, public safety, and national security; and make the agency itself more open, transparent, and data-driven.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Pai served in various public-sector positions in the FCC’s Office of General Counsel, the US Department of Justice, the US Senate Judiciary Committee, and the US District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. He also worked as a partner at Jenner & Block and associate general counsel at Verizon Communications.

Said Mr. Pai, “I am proud to be affiliated with the American Enterprise Institute. I have long appreciated the thoughtful and rigorous work of AEI scholars in technology, innovation, and economics. AEI is widely recognized as a place where serious policy analysis and discussions on important policy matters happen, and I look forward to being part of these discussions. I also hope to contribute to AEI’s commitment to freedom, individual opportunity, and market-based solutions.”

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AEI is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy research organization where scholars work to expand liberty, increase individual opportunity, and strengthen free enterprise.