Ben Arden
Chief of Staff and Legal Advisor
Ben Arden originally joined Commissioner Carr’s Office in 2019 as a Legal Advisor. Prior to that, he served as the Associate Chief of the Media Bureau's Video Division, having recently returned to the FCC following a year in Rwanda where he served as a program specialist for a USAID-funded project designed to increase access to justice and enhance the rule of law in Rwanda. He previously held various positions in the Media Bureau's Industry Analysis Division, most recently serving as Deputy Division Chief. In these roles at the FCC, he focused on a wide range of media issues including the impact of technology and competition on the media marketplace, broadcast ownership regulation, transaction review, facilitating foreign investment, localism, and diversity. Prior to joining the FCC in 2010, he was a communications attorney in the Washington, D.C., office of Williams Mullen. Mr. Arden graduated from the Indiana University Maurer School of Law, where he served as a Managing Editor of the Federal Communications Law Journal. He received his undergraduate degree from Arizona State University.
Danielle Thumann
Legal Advisor
Prior to joining Commissioner Carr’s Office, Danielle was a communications attorney in the Washington, D.C. office of Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP where she focused on a wide variety of regulatory, policy, and transactional issues, with a special focus on infrastructure, public safety, and spectrum policy. After attending the University of Virginia for her undergraduate degree, Danielle earned her J.D. cum laude from the Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law where she was Associate Editor of the Catholic University Law Review. She also earned a certificate from the Columbus School of Law’s Law & Technology Institute.
Greg Watson
Policy Advisor
Prior to joining Commissioner Carr’s office, Greg served as a Policy Advisor to the Chief Technology Officer of the United States in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy where he led efforts to increase broadband access through the American Broadband Initiative. He was also involved with the Administration’s efforts to advance America’s leadership in 5G. Prior to his tenure at the White House, Greg was an advisor to Congressman Steve Scalise and the House Energy and Commerce Committee where he handled a broad range of communications and technology issues. Before moving to Washington, DC, he was a campaign aide to Congressman Fred Upton. Greg is a graduate of East Carolina University, where he studied History and Political Science.
Drema Johnson
Confidential Assistant
Ms. Johnson is responsible for managing administrative operations, schedule and travel arrangements for Commissioner Carr. Ms. Johnson has held several positions at the FCC. She served initially as the Confidential Assistant to then FCC Chairman William Kennard. Most recently, Ms. Johnson served in the Office of Commissioner Mignon Clyburn as Confidential Assistant and Deputy Chief of Staff. Before joining the agency, Ms. Johnson served as Project Director for the Jamestown 400th Commemoration Commission. She also worked as Special Assistant to former Speaker of the House Thomas Foley.
Deanne Erwin
Staff Assistant
Ms. Erwin assists Mr. Arden and Mr. Watson. For the past eight years, she has served as the staff assistant to the office of Commissioner Pai and then as an executive assistant in the office of Chairman Pai. Previously, she was the assistant for William Lake, Chief of the Media Bureau. Ms. Erwin began her career at the Commission in 2000.