Obama Names FCC Chair: 5 Things To Know About Tom Wheeler

President Barack Obama has reportedly nominated Tom Wheeler to lead the Federal Communications Commission, or FCC. If confirmed by the United States Senate, Tom Wheeler will replace Julius Genachowski, a Democratic lawyer, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Tom Wheeler, considered by Politico a "longtime Obama loyalist", has the support of tech policy groups, according to the Washington newspaper. Wheeler was formerly a lobbyist and is currently the managing director of Core Capital Partners, a venture capital firm whose concentration is also on technology and telecommunications.

According to the firm's website, Tom Wheeler has worked in the telecommunications field for almost 30 years. During that time, Wheeler founded the online news service Smart Brief, as well as served on the board of the National Cable Television Association, acting as their president from 1979 through 1984. He is also an author and a trustee of the Kennedy Center in Washington.

Public Knowledge President Gigi Sohn told the Los Angeles Times that she thought Wheeler was a good choice for FCC chair. "[I have] no doubt that Tom will have an open door and an open mind," she said.

However, Tom Wheeler's reported pick was met with criticism from a number of different sources. Craig Aaron, president of Free Press, said Wheeler was not the "strong leader" that the FCC needs to replace Genachowski. "[The FCC] needs someone who will use this powerful position to stand up to industry giants and protect the public interest," Aaron said, citing Wheelers membership in a pair of trade associations.

Senator John D. "Jay" Rockefeller IV, D-W.Va., led a group of Democrat minds that wrote a letter to Obama in March, as cited by Politico, which asked for a woman to be chosen for the FCC chairmanship. Thirty-seven senators, including Rockefeller, lobbied for FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel to be chosen, saying that she would avoid "delays" other choices may have in the confirmation process.

There is no information as to whether the senators were alluding to the famous filibuster lodged by Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky. against CIA chief John Brennan, as reported by the Latin Times. FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn will oversee the agency until a successor to Genachowski is confirmed.