William E. Kennard, President Clinton's nominee as chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, has been described as a quiet leader, Washington insider, and polite dealmaker.
For the past four years, Kennard has worked as the FCC's general counsel, dealing with the various legal battles facing the commission. His duties have intensified since the passage of the 1996 Telecommunications Act, meant to update federal telecommunications policy for the digital age.
"You have the ability to work with people on all sides of the issues," Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), told Kennard at his confirmation hearing before the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, "and the ability to get people to come out of negotiations, even if they disagree with you, and say you are a fair and honest person."
Kennard was raised in Los Angeles. His father, who died of cancer in 1995, was an architect specializing in the design of livable low-income housing. His mother grew up speaking both Spanish and English in Southern California and became a specialist in bilingual education.
"The two lessons I have learned from my parents are the lessons of community and communication," Kennard said at his confirmation hearing. "And I think I have learned how communications technology can bring communities together."
Kennard graduated from Stanford University in 1978 and from Yale Law School in 1981. A longtime Washington lawyer, Kennard has worked as a partner for a law firm specializing in communications law, and as assistant general counsel for the National Association of Broadcasters. He is the first African American designated as FCC chairman.
