******************************************************** NOTICE ******************************************************** This document was converted from WordPerfect or Word to ASCII Text format. Content from the original version of the document such as headers, footers, footnotes, endnotes, graphics, and page numbers will not show up in this text version. All text attributes such as bold, italic, underlining, etc. from the original document will not show up in this text version. Features of the original document layout such as columns, tables, line and letter spacing, pagination, and margins will not be preserved in the text version. If you need the complete document, download the WordPerfect version or Adobe Acrobat version, if available. ***************************************************************** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: News Media Contact: January 10, 2002 Meribeth McCarrick at (202) 418-0654 e-mail: mmccarri@fcc.gov WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU ANNOUNCES PERSONNEL ACTION Michael Ferrante Named Chief of the Licensing and Technical Analysis Branch of the Bureau’s Commercial Wireless Division Washington, DC – The FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau has announced that Michael Ferrante has been named Chief of the Licensing & Technical Analysis Branch of the Bureau’s Commercial Wireless Division. The Licensing and Technical Analysis Branch is responsible for processing and issuing the licenses for all commercial mobile radio services. Ferrante joined the FCC in February 1972, as an engineer in what was formerly the Domestic Radio Division of the Common Carrier Bureau. In 1975, he was assigned to the Bureau’s newly created Mobile Services Division. While serving as an engineer in the Mobile Services Division, Ferrante participated in developing the initial cellular radiotelephone service rules. He analyzed and authorized the first two developmental cellular radio authorizations and was involved in reviewing the initial applications for many of the cellular markets. In 1994, Ferrante joined the newly created Wireless Telecommunications Bureau as a senior engineer in the Bureau’s Enforcement Division. While serving in the Enforcement Division, he analyzed complaints concerning allegations of interference involving various wireless communications systems. In 1997, Ferrante joined the Commercial Wireless Division as a senior engineer in the Licensing and Technical Analysis Branch, where he has been responsible for developing rules, policies, and procedures used to authorize many of the various commercial radio services. Ferrante holds a B.E. Degree in Electrical Engineering from Pratt Institute in New York City and a Masters of Science in Special Studies Degree in Telecommunication Operations from George Washington University. - FCC - News media Information 202 / 418-0500 TTY 202 / 418-2555 Fax-On-Demand 202 / 418-2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov ftp.fcc.gov Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D. C. 20554 This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).