Washington - President-elect Barack Obama plans to tap Julius Genachowski, a co-founder of DC-based venture capital firm Rock Creek Ventures, to head the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), The Wall Street Journal reported. Genachowski, a former classmate of Obama's at Harvard Law School, served as a top technology advisor during the campaign.

Genachowski is a co-founder and managing director of Rock Creek Ventures, which in 2007 launched LaunchBox Digital, a program that provides technology entrepreneurs with funding, mentoring and infrastructure support to help bring their ideas to market.

He also previously served as the chief of business operations at InterActiveCorp (IAC), and was chief counsel to former FCC Chairman Reed Hundt.

Ars Technica noted the quick voices of support from various media reform groups, including Free Press and Public Knowledge. "Under Julius Genachowski's leadership, the FCC's compass would point toward the public interest," said Josh Silver of Free Press.

A source close to the transition team told The Washington Post that an official announcement will probably be made in the next few days.

Related Links:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123180775460975639.html

http://snipurl.com/9ypn0 (Washington Post)

http://snipurl.com/9ymgl (Ars Technica)