NEWS                                    April 4, 1997

JEROME FOWLKES NAMED DEPUTY CHIEF O F THE 
AUCTIONS DIVISION OF THE WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU

                   
     Auctions Division Chief, Kathleen O'Brien Ham, today announced that Jerome
Fowlkes has been promoted to Deputy Chief of the Auctions Division (Division) of the
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (Bureau) effective March 16, 1997.  Fowlkes will
concentrate on financing issues associated with the Commission's portfolio of auction
installment loans including grace period requests, loan servicing, and loan portfolio
management.  Fowlkes will also assist the Division in expanding its industry analysis focus
to gather and analyze data on trends in the wireless telecommunications industry.  Finally,
Fowlkes will serve as the Division's liaison with the Commission's Office of
Communications Business Opportunities.

     Fowlkes joined the Auctions Division in June 1996 as a Senior Financial Analyst and
has assisted in developing loan servicing policies and procedures as well as evaluating other
payment issues associated with incentives for small businesses.  Prior to joining the Auctions
Division, Fowlkes was a Senior Financial Analyst in the Cable Bureau.

     Prior to joining the FCC, Fowlkes was a vice president and commercial lending
officer at several financial institutions including Crestar Bank, Maryland National Bank, and
American Security Bank.  Fowlkes received a B.S. degree from Virginia Polytechnic
Institute and State University.

     Fowlkes is located is room 5322, 2025 M Street, NW and can be reached at (202)
418-0660.  His internet address is afowlkes@fcc.gov.

  - FCC -