Brendan Carr

Commissioner Brendan Carr is the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, and he served previously as the agency’s General Counsel.

Described by Axios as “the FCC’s 5G crusader,” Carr has led the FCC’s work to modernize its infrastructure rules and accelerate the buildout of high-speed networks. His reforms cut billions of dollars in red tape, enabled the private sector to construct high-speed networks in communities across the country, and extended America’s global leadership in 5G.

Commissioner Carr is also focused on expanding America’s skilled workforce—the tower climbers and construction crews needed to build next-gen networks. His jobs initiative promotes community colleges and apprenticeships as a pipeline for good-paying 5G jobs. And he is recognizing America’s talented and hardworking tower crews through a series of “5G Ready” Hard Hat presentations.

Commissioner Carr leads a groundbreaking telehealth initiative at the FCC. The Connected Care Pilot Program supports the delivery of high-quality care to low-income Americans and veterans.

Commissioner Carr’s time outside of Washington helps inform his approach to the job. He regularly hits the road to hear directly from the community members, local leaders, and small business owners that are impacted by the FCC’s policies at town halls and events across the country.

Commissioner Carr brings nearly 20 years of private and public sector experience in communications and tech policy to his position. Before joining the agency as a staffer back in 2012, he worked as an attorney at Wiley Rein LLP in the firm’s appellate, litigation, and telecom practices. Previously, Commissioner Carr clerked on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit for Judge Dennis Shedd. And after attending Georgetown University for his undergrad, Commissioner Carr earned his J.D. magna cum laude from the Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law where he served as an editor of the Catholic University Law Review.

Commissioner Carr was nominated to the FCC by President Trump and confirmed unanimously by the United States Senate.

Commissioner Carr lives in Virginia with his wife and three kids.

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.