Our Team
A PROVEN TRACK RECORD OF SUCCESS
Our renowned team of senior leaders is universally respected in our field and remains engaged in mentoring the next generation of our highly talented staff.
Our renowned team of senior leaders is universally respected in our field and remains engaged in mentoring the next generation of our highly talented staff.
Mr. Michael Richmond has 36 years of federal government service in the field of spectrum management as an electronics engineer. He started his federal career at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). He worked in the Video Services and Audio Services Divisions of what was then the Mass Media Bureau. Following his time at the FCC, Mr. Richmond transitioned to the National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA). He worked in the Systems Review Branch for nearly ten years where he reviewed federal systems for agencies needing certification of spectrum support. The systems he reviewed included various communications, radar, and space systems. After NTIA, Mr. Richmond worked at the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Spectrum Engineering Services for over 20 years. The last years were as manager of the Spectrum Planning & International Team. His work involved a wide range of topics involving Communications, Navigation & Surveillance. Mr. Richmond represented the FAA and the United States in several domestic and international forums.
Mr. Richmond earned his degree in Electrical Engineering at Howard University in Washington, DC.
Mr. Edison Juleau has extensive experience in spectrum engineering and management, after 28 years at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). He served as NTIA Chair of the Spectrum Planning Subcommittee Working Group-One (SPS WG-1) responsible for overseeing various Link-16 spectrum certification processes. Mr. Juleau was instrumental in assessing Electromagnetic Compatibility Features (EMCF) for Link 16 Terminals and ensuring compliance with the regulations. Mr. Juleau was also responsible for coordinating a wide range of other Link-16 topics including issues related to Space Link-16 and the NDAA. At NTIA, Mr. Juleau worked closely and cooperatively with the FAA and DoD to ensure that Link-16 and FAA radionavigation systems can continue to co-exist in the 960-1215 MHz frequency band.
Mr. Juleau also served as the Vice-Chair of the Technical Subcommittee (TSC) of the IRAC for 10 years where he oversaw the review of multiple technical studies, papers, presentations, and discussions. In this capacity, Mr. Juleau worked with the TSC Chair preparing the agenda and summary minutes for meetings and managing changes to spectrum standards in Chapter 5 of the NTIA Manual.
In addition to his leadership positions with SPS WG-1 and TSC, Mr. Juleau’s experience encompasses a broad knowledge of spectrum engineering and management at the federal level that includes both NTIA and FCC procedures, policies, and methods. His experience covers a wide range of diverse projects and assignments while working for the Office of Spectrum Management (OSM) of NTIA, from spectrum reallocations, spectrum auctions, FCC proceedings, IRAC, SPS and TSC processes, spectrum compendium, federal band studies, to the more recent Technical Interchange Group (TIG) set up for the 3 GHz & 7/8 GHz studies and more.
Prior to his tenure at NTIA, Mr. Juleau was with the DoD for 12 years. Mr. Juleau was a research and development engineer with the US Army Harry Diamond Lab (HDL) in Adelphi, MD where he engaged in R&D of proximity fuzes. He contributed to improvements and modifications of the M735, M749 and M818 (Chaparal) programs. He also worked for the Navy at Patuxent
Mr. Edward Drocella was formerly the Chief of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), Office of Spectrum Management, Spectrum Engineering and Analysis Division. He was with NTIA for thirty three years. During his tenure, he worked on various projects related to spectrum management including: reallocation of federal spectrum for emerging technologies, protection of the Global Positioning System radio frequency spectrum, software defined and cognitive radio technologies, ultrawideband technologies, web-based spectrum coordination, and the protection of military radar systems by implementing new sharing technologies such as Dynamic Frequency Selection.
Mr. Drocella has been the lead engineer in several technical studies identifying spectrum-sharing arrangements between federal and commercial systems, and was also the Vice Chair of the NTIA Intedepartment Radio Advisory Committee and Chair of the Technical Subcommittee. Before joining NTIA Mr. Drocella worked as a contractor for the Department of Defense. Mr. Drocella received his Bachelor of Science degree and Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the Johns Hopkins University.
Mr. Tito E. Alvarez Jr. has more than 20 years of experience in the telecommunications industry. He is a spectrum management expert with a focus on national & international radio regulations that has worked hard to address technical, regulatory, and programmatic spectrum issues at both the national and international level. In his career, he has advised and worked with each of the Services & federal agencies to advance their international objectives and achieve their desired outcomes at the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) that takes place every 4 years. He is an impactful and results-oriented leader with a diverse set of problem-solving skills, work experience, and exceptional interpersonal skills that enables collaboration across disparate organizations, engagement with leaders at multiple levels, and the ability to identify mutually beneficial solutions.
Mr. Alvarez began his career supporting the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) Joint Program Office to acquire software defined radios where he was introduced to the DoD acquisition lifecycle. He then moved on to a 17 ½ year career with the MITRE Corporation in Mclean, VA, a not-for profit company that operates Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs). While at MITRE, he led and worked on various projects spanning from networking, network monitoring/management, wireless, and spectrum in support of various customers across the Federal Government such as the Defense Information Systems Agency, Department of Defense Chief Information Officer, and Federal Aviation Administration.
Mr. Alvarez specializes in international radio regulations where he has spent over 10 years learning the intricate processes of the International Telecommunications Union. Notably, He served on the home team that supported the 2015 and 2019 WRCs, before serving on the U.S. Delegation to WRC-23 where he worked side-by-side with DoD leadership, Industry, the Federal Communications Commission, and National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to achieve the United States’ desired outcomes at WRC-23.
Mr. Alvarez received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Capital Technology University.
John R. McFall previously served as Deputy Chief of the Spectrum Services Division, Office of Spectrum Management, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, United States Department of Commerce, and as Chairman of the Frequency Assignment Subcommittee of the Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee. In this capacity, Mr. McFall was responsible for leading the subcommittee in its function to assist NTIA in the assignment and coordination of radio frequencies at the national level and the development and execution of policies and procedures outlined in the Manual of Regulations and Procedures for Federal Radio Frequency Management.
Prior to becoming the Deputy Chief of the Spectrum Services Division, Mr. McFall served as the Chief of the Frequency Assignment Branch. In this role, he served as a lead expert on all aspects of the process by which the Office of Spectrum Management authorized access to the radio frequency spectrum. He led the branch in addressing a broad range of issues associated with requests for access to the radio frequency spectrum.
Mr. McFall has 45 years of experience in the field of radio communications and spectrum management. He is a graduate of Indiana University and a veteran of 21 years of active service in the United States Army. He resides in Terre Haute, Indiana with his wife Pamella.
Joe Cramer is a telecommunications regulatory and licensing expert with over 25 years of experience supporting the aviation, aerospace and defense industries on issues before the U.S. Government and internationally. Joe began his career working for the United States Congress where he focused on legislative policy issues impacting transportation, science and general business interests. Subsequently, he worked for major aviation and defense companies in managerial roles in their Washington DC offices leading government affairs efforts on radio frequency spectrum and technology policy and regulatory issues.
Joe has served as the first aerospace industry representative to the ICAO Frequency Spectrum Management Panel. He has also served in leadership and supporting roles in several radio frequency and technology related advisory committees, such as the Federal Communication Commission’s World Radiocommunication Conference Advisory Committee and FCC Technological Advisory Council, as well as the Department of Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee. Joe actively participates in international radio frequency spectrum regulatory activities before the International Telecommunications Union where he has led and supported efforts to amend regulations impacting transportation, satellite, defense, and unmanned aircraft communications, navigation and surveillance capabilities.
He has a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland, a Juris Doctor degree from the Catholic University, Columbus School of Law in Washington DC, and a Master’s in Business Administration from Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA.
Mr. Willem Landis has experience in policy and geopolitical analysis across the private sector, public sector, and academia. He previously worked as a corporate strategy intern in CACI International Inc.’s Mission and Engineering Services division. At Georgetown University, he served as a research assistant for Professor Burton Gerber and a teaching assistant for Professor Elizabeth Grimm. In 2023, he completed a fellowship at the University of Oslo’s International Summer School, focusing on the emergence and erosion of global democracies. In the summer of 2022, he worked as a legislative intern in the Office of Senator Bernie Sanders.
Mr. Landis holds a Bachelor of Arts in Government and International Politics, with minors in Statistics and Intelligence Analysis, from George Mason University, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa. He earned his Master of Arts in Security Studies from Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service in May 2025.
Mr. Cole Trautman has experience researching emerging technologies from a security perspective. He previously tracked global threats and cybersecurity incidents as a consultant and has led multiple student research projects for client organizations. Cole received a B.A. from the University of Virginia and an M.A. from Johns Hopkins SAIS, where he was previously a Fellow with the Emerging Technologies Initiative.
Mr. Randy Cantz is a Policy Associate with a background working in internet governance, digital ethics, and privacy law. His work experience includes researching digital deception and cybersecurity governance for Dr. Laura DeNardis at Georgetown’s Center for Digital Ethics and spearheading original research on emerging technologies, policies, laws, and regulations as a Policy Intern for Ethics and Data Sharing at the Future of Privacy Forum. At FPF, Randy contributed to a blog post on international neuroprivacy regulation and led a working group call with Dr. Yoel Roth, former head of Trust and Safety at Twitter, on how to best mitigate the harms of misinformation and disinformation in research. Mr. Cantz has also worked as a Research Assistant for UC Berkeley’s Citizen Clinic, located in the Center for Long-Term Cybersecurity, on assessing cybersecurity threats to organizations specializing in open-source investigations, provided research assistance to Professor James Rule on his book Taking Privacy Seriously, and interned for Congressman Brad Sherman. Fueled by the conviction that privacy is one of the defining human rights of our time, Mr. Cantz enjoys crafting well-researched reports and staying current on legislative developments to ensure impactful and enduring policies at the state and national level.
Mr. Cantz holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History with a minor in Public Policy from the University of California, Berkeley, where he graduated with high honors, and a Master’s degree from Georgetown University’s Communication, Culture, and Technology program.
Ms. Lauren Blechschmidt is a student at the Georgetown University Law Center with a background consisting of both legal and policy experience. Her experience includes interning for the United States Agency for International Development, where she tracked and briefed international policy developments, while also drafting and editing public press releases. Additionally, she has experience interning at a law firm where she assisted attorneys in multiple practice areas with research, drafting, and editing.
Ms. Blechschmidt received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Baylor University in 2022. She expects to receive her Juris Doctor from Georgetown Law in May 2026.
Ms. Elise Hamilton is an electrical engineer and has worked primarily in radio frequency spectrum engineering. She worked at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for five years, in the Systems Review Branch (SRB) of the Spectrum Services Division. There, she reviewed Federal agency requests for certification of spectrum support and wrote preliminary assessments of her findings of conformance or non-conformance to the NTIA Manual standards and policies. As an SRB subject matter expert, Ms. Hamilton assisted with the development and improvements to the Equipment Location – Certification Information Database (EL-CID) and EL-CID Online (ECO), the database tool that NTIA and the Federal agencies use to submit and assess the agencies’ certification requests.
Prior to working at NTIA, Ms. Hamilton worked for a research and development engineering company, developing ground penetrating radar sensors to support the Department of Defense (DOD).
Ms. Hamilton received her Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineer from the University of Virginia.
Mr. Matthew Vaught is an attorney with a background in national security. He served in the U.S. Army for seven years, including five years as a Special Forces Communications Sergeant in Okinawa, Japan. While serving in a specialized tactical team, his experience included extensive work in threat analysis and technical communications throughout Asia. Mr. Vaught has performed as a lead tactical instructor for foreign and domestic military personnel in diverse locations. Additionally, he has served as a lead communications planner in situations ranging from training instructions to combat missions. Mr. Vaught was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, NATO Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, and Combat Infantry Badge.
Before coming to FTI, Mr. Vaught interned at the U.S. General Services Administration, Office for the General Counsel, where he provided research, analysis, and memoranda for clients on issues relating to government contracts. He also served as a journal member for The George Washington University Law School’s Public Contract Law Journal, where he published, Changing the Cost of Noncompliance: A Way Forward to Reduce Misuse and Trafficking in U.S. Exported Weapons (53 Pub. Cont. L. J. 4 (2024)).
Mr. Vaught is a member of the District of Columbia Bar, a 2024 graduate of The George Washington University Law School, and a 2013 graduate of University of California, San Diego.
Ms. Darcy Swain Walsh has 20 years of expertise in the telecommunications sector, providing subject matter expertise to solve complex spectrum challenges facing our nation. Darcy specializes in bridging engineering and policy, with a focus on developing evidence-based, data-driven policy, regulation, and strategy that supports whole-of-nation solutions. She supports customers from a holistic perspective, assembling diverse teams to analyze policy and regulation, economic, political, and technical aspects of spectrum challenges.
Darcy has worked for clients across the Federal government in the areas of emerging spectrum technology, commercial wireless (e.g., 5G), spectrum sharing and coexistence, testing and evaluation, spectrum relocations and auctions, policy, regulation, and strategic planning.
Prior to joining FTI, Darcy was a Senior Principal at The MITRE Corporation, a not-for profit company that operates Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs). She led internal strategy and investment on spectrum and 5G, held various leadership positions, and supported customers across the Federal Government.
Darcy is a past Board member of the Wireless Innovation Forum (WInnF) and past vice-Chair of the IEEE DYSPAN-SC 1900.5 working group on Policy Language and Architectures for Managing Cognitive Radio for Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) Applications. She holds a B.S. in Integrated Science and Technology from James Madison University and a M.S. in Electrical Engineering from The George Washington University.
Mr. Brian P. Nicholson has offered strategic, policy, and legal advice on national security, emerging technology, and international matters with impacts in the public and private sectors. He has led teams in domestic and international settings on sensitive, high stakes matters with significant media interest.
Brian held various positions assisting the government and private sector clients concerning law, policy, and international affairs as a leader, advisor, and advocate. He previously served as Trial Attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of International Affairs, in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and as an attorney at a large international law firm.
While on active duty, he served embedded with U.S. Special Operations Forces deployed to the Middle East, as military defense counsel for the lead defendant in the 9/11 death-penalty case at Guantanamo Bay, and as the senior prosecutor for the Military District of Washington, which includes the Pentagon and global intelligence agencies.
Brian is an Adjunct Professor at Notre Dame Law School in the Intensive Trial Advocacy program, and at the Judge Advocate’s Legal Center and School located on the University of Virginia’s campus in Charlottesville, VA.
Mr. Matthew Brown is a Policy Associate with a background in international security. His experience includes multiple extensive research projects on counter-terrorism and political violence. He also has a strong background in teaching. After working for several years as a tutor, he taught English as a Second Language in the United States and in Russia, and continues to teach English as a Second Language to Ukrainian humanitarian parolees in the United States.
Mr. Brown holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History from the University of Chicago. He also studied international security at Sciences Po – Paris and completed a Master of Science degree in Conflict Studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Ms. Yaegy Park is a student at the Georgetown University Law Center with an extensive background in violin performance and pedagogy with a Bachelor’s and Master’s from The Juilliard School. Her experience includes cultivating relationships with public schools and hospitals in NYC by directing interactive concert programs for diverse audiences. She is also an active teacher with experience in the classroom as well as private instruction. During the pandemic, she organized a Black Lives Matter online benefit concert bringing together over 30 musicians worldwide
Before coming to FTI, Ms. Park interned at an IP-focused law firm in NYC where she focused on copyright registration, and at the Superior Court of Maricopa County where she drafted motions and bench memos for the Criminal Court.
Currently, at Georgetown Law, she is a Research Assistant for the Center on National Security.
Ms. Chandler Haugh has experience communicating and implementing policy and technology improvements based on client-specific needs and resources. Ms. Haugh has supported clients in both the private sector and government, developing operational strategies to best suit their security and training needs. She has extensive experience in cybersecurity, information systems, and organizational management.
Ms. Haugh received her B.A. from the University of Rochester.
Mr. Owen Crandall has work experience including in support of the federal government process for the review of telecommunication systems and certification of spectrum support, where he has reviewed NTIA preliminary assessments of government agency requests for system review. With his participation in this process, Mr. Crandall has become familiar with the regulations and procedures provided within the NTIA Manual, gained insight into the process of managing the electromagnetic spectrum on a national scale, and studied the mechanics of radio waves. More specifically, his reviews included telecommunication system conformance to the national table of frequency allocations, transmitter emission spectrum requirements, technical standards, and rules and regulations applicable to system operations in proposed frequency bands.
Mr. Crandall has successfully completed the requisite course of study for a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and has one semester remaining for his bachelor’s degree in computer science. Mr. Crandall is expected to graduate from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in May 2022.
Ms. Moriah Mensah has worked in consulting, policy, and advisory roles throughout her career, most recently serving as an Executive Level Staff Consultant for the Directorate of Training and Readiness, Department of the Air Force. Her past experience includes conducting legal research, advising government clients with respect to startup programs, and working with a think tank on a variety of legal and policy matters at the local, state, and national levels.
Practiced at analyzing primary source material, editing others’ work, and revising personal research in response to changing facts and data, Ms. Mensah has worked on policy issues ranging from housing to broadband deployment in addition to conducting research in both Constitutional Law and Virology. She is motivated and critically minded, committed to excellence and the constant development of a diversified and integrated knowledge base.
Ms. Mensah is a member of the District of Columbia Bar with a broad range of experience in understanding and breaking down complex concepts across a variety of fields and disciplines. She received her J.D. from Howard University School of Law and holds a bachelor’s degree from the College of William & Mary.
Ms. Kay Hawkins serves as Senior Team Support Specialist, Facility Security Officer and Executive Assistant to Janice Obuchowski. She has been with FTI for 32 years. Ms. Hawkins manages the office as well as providing sole administrative support to FTI’s professionals in the areas of spectrum management and wireless communications, including mobile technology broadband trends, spectrum engineering, and domestic and international regulatory policy. Prior to joining FTI, Ms. Hawkins worked for numerous law firms both in Washington, DC and Birmingham, Alabama as a legal secretary and executive assistant. Ms. Hawkins has worked in various industries along the way, including medical, construction, labor associations, and engineering, law, and consulting firms. Ms. Hawkins provides an extensive array of office management and administrative background with over 45 years of experience.
Mr. John Bush is a policy associate with a background in legal research, analysis, and politics. His work experience includes legal research with a George Washington University Law Professor, Change Management analysis at Accenture Federal Services, and national security and intelligence internships in several federal agencies. As a legal associate, Mr. Bush works on a variety of telecommunications law projects, including research on the geopolitical implications of domestic and international spectrum policy.
Mr. Bush is a law student at The George Washington University Law School and a candidate for an M.S. in Data Analytics at Johns Hopkins Advanced Academic Programs. He received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia in 2017.
Ms. Elena DeJaco joined FTI as a legal associate in 2023. She has experience analyzing diverse spectrum regulations and a background in radio frequency engineering. She has been with FTI part-time since May 2021 working on numerous topics including 6G, global spectrum policy, and federal legislation. She is currently focusing on international spectrum policy at the International Telecommunication Union. Ms. DeJaco received her Juris Doctor from the George Washington University School of Law in May 2023 and is a member of the D.C. Bar. She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.
Martha is a Policy Associate who launched her career at a trade association for the financial services industry where she did research on cybersecurity, AI crediting, internal/external fraud and privacy. Martha also interned on Capitol Hill for Representative Lloyd Doggett (TX-35) and did research on a variety of issues such as public charge and prescription drug cost coverage. In addition to internships, Martha has been an organizer and worked at a nonprofit focused on healing communities and freeing child soldiers in Central Africa most impacted by violence and exploitation caused by conflict.
Martha holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of North Texas, where she also studied Arabic, and a Master of Public Policy from George Mason University, with a focus in Terrorism, Anti-Money Laundering, Transnational Crime and Corruption. Outside of FTI, Martha is a community organizer with interests in the Horn of Africa and canvasses for local and national candidates.
Mr. Christian Kuzdak is a policy professional with an extensive background in telecommunications, spectrum, and regulatory issues. His work experience includes administrative and regulatory legal research at the National Nuclear Security Administration, immigration law research and support, and business strategy and product development at an EdTech startup. Since joining FTI, Christian has worked on numerous projects covering a diverse array of subjects including 5G, administrative law, national and international spectrum policy, federal legislation, and more.
Mr. Kuzdak received a J.D. from the George Washington University School of Law, where he was a member of the Law Review and graduated with Honors. He simultaneously received an M.A. in American Foreign Policy from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, where he was a member of the SAIS Review of International Affairs. He is a graduate of the University of Central Florida.
Ms. Moriah Mensah has worked in consulting, policy, and advisory roles throughout her career, most recently serving as an Executive Level Staff Consultant for the Directorate of Training and Readiness, Department of the Air Force. Her past experience includes conducting legal research, advising government clients with respect to startup programs, and working with a think tank on a variety of legal and policy matters at the local, state, and national levels.
Practiced at analyzing primary source material, editing others’ work, and revising personal research in response to changing facts and data, Ms. Mensah has worked on policy issues ranging from housing to broadband deployment in addition to conducting research in both Constitutional Law and Virology. She is motivated and critically minded, committed to excellence and the constant development of a diversified and integrated knowledge base.
Ms. Mensah is a member of the District of Columbia Bar with a broad range of experience in understanding and breaking down complex concepts across a variety of fields and disciplines. She received her J.D. from Howard University School of Law and holds a bachelor’s degree from the College of William & Mary.
Mr. William (Mike) Doolan has been a Radio Frequency Spectrum engineer for over 30 years. At FTI, he has provided support to the National Telecommunication Information Administration’s (NTIA) Spectrum Services Division and to NOAA’s U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System to assist in obtaining licensing for oceanographic radars.
Mr. Doolan worked for NTIA’s Office of Spectrum Management for 23 years in both the Spectrum Engineering and Analysis Division and the Spectrum Support Division’s System Review Branch (SRB). In the SRB he conducted many reviews of requests for spectrum certification and conducted analysis of proposed new Federal radio systems at various stages of development. With the SEAD, he worked on many FCC Rulemakings, Notices of Inquiry, and Reports and Orders on such topics as RFID, UWB and GPS. He served as the Vice-Chair of the IRAC’s Technical Subcommittee. He developed engineering algorithms and helped develop service rules for the 71-76, 81-86, 92-95 GHz bands as well as the web-based frequency coordination program.
Mr. Doolan also worked for other contractors in the private sector including the Illinois Institute of Technology Research Institute in support of the DoD Electromagnetic Compatibility Analysis Center.
Mr. Doolan holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maryland.
Mr. Gordon (Bill) Crandall has been a radio frequency (RF) engineer for over 50 years in both the public and private sector with extensive experience in frequency management including frequency assignment, system certification, technical standards, policy and procedures, and interference prediction and resolution. He worked for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for 28 years and served in various leadership positions in the Spectrum Engineering and Analysis Division and the Spectrum Support Division within the Office of Spectrum Management. Mr. Crandall was the Chairman of the Frequency Assignment Subcommittee of the Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee. Mr. Crandall was also the lead NTIA member of the U.S. delegation where he developed and fostered agreements with Mexico concerning the allotment and use of three government frequency bands along common border areas.
Prior to his work at NTIA, Mr. Crandall worked for a DOD contractor in the field of electromagnetic compatibility where he worked on various interference prediction and measurement support projects.
Mr. Crandall received his Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from the University of Maryland.
Mr. Matthew Ivey offers strategic and policy advice to a range of government partners on matters involving national security, space systems, and emerging technology.
Mr. Ivey has over 20 years of expertise as a leader, problem solver, crisis manager, and trusted advisor in multinational environments, with relationship-building experience on six continents. Before his career in the private sector, Mr. Ivey served in the U.S. Navy as a surface warfare officer and an attorney in leadership positions ranging from the tactical to the strategic level. Highlights include assignments as Director of Legislation & Policy at the Department of the Navy Office of Legislative Affairs, Chief of Plans & International Law for U.S. Special Operations Command, and senior legal counsel for a multinational carrier strike group.
He holds a B.S. (honors and merit) from the U.S. Naval Academy, a J.D. from Boston College Law School (cum laude), where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Boston College International & Comparative Law Review, and an LL.M from Harvard Law School (Dean’s scholar).
Mr. Ivey has been recognized with the Legion of Merit, the St. Thomas Moore Award (one of Boston College Law School’s highest honors), and the Navy & Marine Corps Association Leadership Award.
Selected Publications:
The Ethical Midfield in Artificial Intelligence, Georgetown Journal of Legal Ethics (2020)
The Broken Promises of the All-Volunteer Military, Temple Law Review (2014)
A Rebuttal to “Overreaction in the Strait of Hormuz,” The Diplomat (May 28, 2015)
Ms. Janice Obuchowski is President and CEO of Freedom Technologies. She has held several leadership positions in the United States government and the private sector. She was appointed by President George H.W. Bush and confirmed by the Senate to serve as Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information at the Department of Commerce (NTIA), where she led Executive Branch advocacy for passage of spectrum auction legislation. She was also appointed to be United States Ambassador to the 2003 World Radiocommunication Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, where she successfully spearheaded the U.S. push for international Wi-Fi adoption. Earlier in her career, Ms. Obuchowski held several positions at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), including Senior Advisor to the Chairman. She was also an executive at NYNEX (now Verizon) and practiced private antitrust law.
Ms. Obuchowski serves or has served on several boards of directors, including Qualcomm (NASDAQ), Stratos Global (formerly a Bell Canada subsidiary, TSE), CSG International (NASDAQ), Inmarsat (LSE), and Orbital ATK (NYSE).
Ms. Obuchowski earned a J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center, where she was honored as Alumna of the Year in 2005. She also attended the Institut d’Études Politiques in Paris, France, and graduated with Honors from Wellesley College.
Mr. Jay Chauhan is an attorney with more than 20 years of work experience in the telecommunications and technology industries. He specializes in national wireless spectrum policy, defense, legislative, public safety, broadband funding, and technology issues. His diverse background and skill set allows him to advise clients on a wide range of legal, policy, and regulatory matters.
A significant portion of his practice includes providing regulatory and legal support to high-tech wireless sector clients and federal government agencies. This includes monitoring and tracking the development and implementation of spectrum policy at federal, legislative and independent regulatory agencies including the White House Office of Management and Budget and Office of Science and Technology Policy, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and wireless technology, regulatory, and business developments including wireless spectrum auctions, spectrum sharing frameworks, and spectrum demand forecasts.
He has represented industry clients before the FCC, NTIA, the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), Congress, White House, and other federal and state agencies. His work includes preparing and filing responses to FCC, NTIA, and other governmental proceedings.
Mr. Chauhan also works with clients on press outreach and strategy, policy event planning, and social media strategy and implementation. He has drafted white papers, press releases, speeches, opinion pieces, blog posts, and other materials for both internal and external client use. He has co-authored a paper on current topics in the information society published in Trends in Telecommunication Reform, an International Telecommunications Union publication.
Prior to joining FTI, he worked in Information Technology developing and managing solutions in the insurance sector.
Mr. Chauhan is a graduate of Boston University School of Law where he served as the Executive Editor of the Science and Technology Law Journal. He is admitted to the bar in Pennsylvania. He received an M.S. in I.S. from Drexel University and a B.B.A. in I.S. from The George Washington University.
