Kennard steps down as FCC Chairman

After overseeing the three most explosive years in the history of the communications industry, Chairman William E. Kennard announced his resignation from the Federal Communications Commission, effective Jan. 19, 2001.

Kennard, whose term would have ended June 30, 2001, served a three-year term that began and ended with historic events. He was welcomed into the position with the responsibility of implementing the Telecommunications Act of 1996, and he will leave the position after approving of the $106 billion AOL-Time Warner merger.

In a letter to President Clinton, Kennard expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve as chairman.

"I feel very privileged that I was able to serve as Chairman of the FCC at a time when communications technologies are so dramatically changing the way the American people live, work and learn," he wrote.

According to an FCC release, Kennard will serve as a senior fellow of the Aspen Institute Communications and Society Program in Washington, D.C., for the next few months. He will be responsible for advising on leadership, communications policy and program activities and operations.