Department of Energy General Counsel Scott Blake Harris has been named executive vice president of legal and external affairs for Neustar Inc.
During his two years at DOE, Harris, 59, revamped the general counsel's office to make it both more aggressive and open, as detailed in this profile in The National Law Journal.
His move to Neustar, which was originally founded in 1996 to meet the technical and operational challenges that arose when the government mandated local telephone number portability, plays to his experience in telecom.
Harris was the first chief of the Federal Communications Commission’s International Bureau. He went on to head Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher’s communications practice before launching his own firm, Harris, Wiltshire & Grannis (now Wiltshire & Grannis).
“One industry after another – from telecom to filmed entertainment to broadcast TV - is recognizing they need Neustar to help them realize their digital ambitions,” Harris said in a news release. “I am thrilled to join the company as it makes anywhere, anytime, any device connections a reality for all these industries and the individual enterprises that are requiring Neustar’s unique experience, leadership and technology.”
As The New York Times noted in 2008, “Every phone call, fax and personal computer connection in North America” depends on the services of the company.
At Neustar, which is based in Sterling, Va., he’ll oversee General Counsel Martin Lowen and Jerry Kovach, the company’s SVP for external affairs.
“This is an exciting time of growth and opportunity for our business, and I know that Scott will bring to Neustar creativity, impeccable judgment and an invaluable range of law and policy experience in critical areas from telecommunications and technology to national security,” said company CEO Lisa Hook.
The appointment is effective March 14.
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