AT&T’s top regulatory lobbyist Jim Cicconi will retire from the telco at the end of September after an 18-year year stint with the company. He will be replaced by Bob Quinn, who currently serves as AT&T’s SVP for federal regulatory affairs.
Cicconi has served as AT&T’s senior executive vice president-external and legislative affairs since 2005, following SBC’s purchase of AT&T. In that role he oversaw AT&T's public policy organization and is chair of the AT&T Foundation.
News of Cicconi’s departure first emerged in a report by The Hill, which received an internal announcement from AT&T. Cicconi’s departure was later confirmed by an AT&T spokesperson.
During his tenure at AT&T, Cicconi oversaw a number of key regulatory issues, including the company’s failed bid for T-Mobile, municipal broadband, and the ongoing review of business data services (BDS).
On Wednesday, a circuit court overturned the FCC’s move to preempt state laws in North Carolina and Tennessee that restrict municipal broadband network reach. Meanwhile, AT&T and other BDS stakeholders had to submit their comments to the FCC about its BDS review to meet the Tuesday deadline this week.
Before joining AT&T, Cicconi established himself as a voice in Republican politics. He served in the White House under two presidents, including two years as deputy chief of staff to President George H.W. Bush, and four years as a special assistant to President Ronald Reagan and to White House Chief of Staff James Baker.
The telco remains as one of the top federal lobbying spenders. According to data gathered by the Center for Responsive Politics, the telco spent over $16 million on federal lobbying in 2015.
“He is respected by everyone, regardless of political party or viewpoint, as a big thinker, a master strategist and someone able to bridge divides to get things done," said Randall Stephenson, CEO of AT&T in the announcement. "I greatly appreciate his leadership, wise counsel and countless contributions to AT&T over the years."
For more:
- The Hill has this article
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