Jonathan S. Adelstein is a Managing Director and Head of Global Policy and Public Investment at DigitalBridge Investment Management. In this role, Mr. Adelstein works with all DigitalBridge portfolio companies on public policy and strategic regulatory matters and reviews policy impacts on potential investments.
Prior to joining DigitalBridge, Mr. Adelstein was President and CEO of the Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA), where he represented over 200 businesses that build, own, and operate wireless infrastructure, including infrastructure owners, developers, carriers, and professional service firms.
Prior to WIA, Mr. Adelstein was nominated to positions by both President Barack Obama and President George W. Bush and confirmed unanimously for each by the U.S. Senate. Under President Obama, Mr. Adelstein headed the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service as Administrator. There, he led the investment of nearly $7 billion under the Recovery Act in rural broadband and water infrastructure and oversaw a $60 billion loan portfolio in rural electric, telecommunications, and water infrastructure. Under President Obama, Mr. Adelstein was appointed to the White House National Science and Technology Council, which coordinates science and technology policy across the Federal government, and the White House Business Council, leading Council meetings with business leaders across America.
Mr. Adelstein was nominated by President Bush and served as Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from 2002 to 2009. At the FCC, he worked to achieve bipartisan progress on issues including spectrum auctions, broadband expansion, widening access to the Internet and media diversity.
Before the FCC, Mr. Adelstein served at the U.S. Senate, in a number of legislative staff positions, culminating as a senior policy advisor to the Senate Majority Leader.
Mr. Adelstein received an M.A. in History and a B.A., with Distinction, in Political Science from Stanford University. He instructed undergraduates in history as a Teaching Fellow at Harvard University and a Teaching Assistant at Stanford University. He is a graduate of Phillips Academy, Andover.
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Originalism and the Communications Act of 1934
2023 National Lawyers Convention
The Mayflower Hotel1127 Connecticut Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20006
Wireless Broadband Infrastructure Policy: Balancing National Priorities
Telecommunications & Electronic Media Practice Group Teleforum
TeleforumThe Telecommunications Act: Can it Rein in the FCC?
Third Annual Executive Branch Review Conference
The Mayflower Hotel1127 Connecticut Ave N.W.
Washington, DC 20036
Originalism and the Communications Act of 1934
2023 National Lawyers Convention
In recent months, the U.S. Senate confirmed a third Democratic Commissioner at the Federal Communications...
Originalism and the Communications Act of 1934
2023 National Lawyers Convention
In recent months, the U.S. Senate confirmed a third Democratic Commissioner at the Federal Communications...
Modernizing the Tribal Consultation Process for Wireless Infrastructure Siting
Federalist Society Review, Volume 19
Note from the Editor: This article discusses barriers to establishing wireless infrastructure, particularly with respect...
Wireless Broadband Infrastructure Policy: Balancing National Priorities
Telecommunications & Electronic Media Practice Group Teleforum
On April 20, 2017, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) initiated a proceeding to assess the...
The Telecommunications Act: Can it Rein in the FCC?
Third Annual Executive Branch Review Conference
The communications and technology sectors have seen an explosion of growth and innovation over the...