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.
Lauren Garry
Legal Advisor
Lauren joins Commissioner Carr’s office from the Wireline Competition Bureau, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, where she focused on the High-Cost Program, including the Connect America Fund and the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. Lauren also served as the Designated Federal Officer for the Precision Agriculture Connectivity Task Force. Before entering the Commission through the Attorney Honors Program, Lauren was a Law Clerk to the Honorable William S. Colwell in the Office of Administrative Law Judges at the Department of Labor. She has also worked for Comcast Corporation, the U.S. Senate, and the U.S. House of Representatives. Lauren received her J.D. cum laude and M.B.A. from American University and has an undergraduate degree from Bowdoin College.
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.