The FCC has named Courtney Reinhard as the new chief of the agency’s Space Bureau. Reinhard takes the helm after previous head Jay Schwarz left the position in August.
Reinhard most recently served as the chief telecommunications counsel to the Senate Commerce Committee. She has worked at the FCC in the past, including as chief of staff to former Commissioner Mike O’Rielly and as a legal advisor to former Commissioner Ajit Pai. Reinhard has worked in the wireless industry as well, serving as vice president of Federal Government Relations for Verizon.
She is the third person to lead the Space Bureau, which was established in 2023 to head up policy and licensing matters related to satellite and space-based communications and activities.
The previous Space Bureau Chief Schwarz made satellite licensing reform a key priority and the FCC has moved in the past year to implement an “assembly line” licensing approach, and to cut environmental regulations for space activities.
“[Reinhard] brings a wealth of experience from the private sector as well as the U.S. Senate where she worked for Chairman Ted Cruz,” FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said in an Oct. 29 statement. “Courtney will excel in this role as she leads our great Space Bureau team. Our work to boost America’s space economy has been a remarkable success with modernized space rules for the 21st Century, an efficient ‘assembly line’ approach to streamlining space licensing, and a massive reduction in the backlog of applications.”
The Satellite Industry Association (SIA) applauded Reinhard’s appointment.
“SIA congratulates Courtney Reinhard and applauds her appointment as the new Chief of the FCC Space Bureau,” said Tom Stroup, president of the Satellite Industry Association. “Ms. Reinhard brings with her a wealth of commercial industry, spectrum policy and regulatory expertise having served extensively in the private sector, Congress and the FCC.”
