Comcast Announces New Hires in Federal Government Affairs and External Affairs
Comcast, the nation's leading provider of entertainment, information and communication products and services, announced today two new senior hires in its Federal Government Affairs office in Washington, DC. Joe Trahern has joined the company as Senior Director of Federal Government Affairs, and effective July 27, Rudy Brioché joins the company as Senior Director of External Affairs and Public Policy Counsel. Trahern will serve as one of Comcast's senior lobbyists focused on Congress and the Administration, and Brioché will focus on the development of the company's public policy positions and legislative analysis.
Joe Trahern joins Comcast's federal affairs team with extensive experience in the House, Senate and Executive Branch. He most recently served as Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs in the Washington office of General Motors. Prior to joining General Motors, Trahern served as chief of staff to both U.S. Representative Doris Matsui (D-CA) and her husband, the late Robert Matsui (D-CA). Trahern worked in the Senate before moving over to the House, serving former Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) and on the staffs of Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Byron Dorgan (D-ND). In addition to his extensive experience on both sides of the Hill, Trahern served in the White House as Special Assistant to the President for Political Affairs during the Clinton Administration. Trahern holds his law degree from Harvard University and is a graduate of Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.
Rudy Brioché will join Comcast with significant legal experience at the Federal Communications Commission on the Hill, and in the non-profit sector. Brioché comes from the FCC where he served as Legal Advisor to Commissioner Jonathan S. Adelstein and focused on media regulatory issues. Before the FCC, he worked in the U.S. Senate for Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), covering Senate Commerce Committee issues including wired and wireless telecommunications, media, judiciary and small business. Earlier in his career, Brioché served as Washington Bureau Counsel for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and as Law Clerk to Judge Andre M. Davis of the U.S. District Court and Chief Judge Robert M. Bell of the Maryland Court of Appeals. Brioché holds a Master Degree in Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School of Government, his law degree from the University of Maryland, and a Bachelor of Arts from Rutgers College.
Brioché and Trahern are the latest additions to Comcast's Government and External Affairs Team headed by Comcast Executive Vice President David L. Cohen. Comcast's Administration and Capitol Hill Lobbying Team is led by Melissa Maxfield, Vice President Federal Government Affairs. Comcast's Regulatory and State Government Affairs are headed by Kathryn Zachem, Vice President of Regulatory and State Government Affairs. Comcast's public policy efforts are headed by Senior Vice President of External Affairs and Public Policy Counsel Joseph W. Waz, Jr.
David Cohen said, "Joe Trahern and Rudy Brioché both have deep experience in the legislative and executive branches, and they will add great value to our team as we navigate the evolving telecommunications policy environment in Washington."
"We are excited to have Joe Trahern join our office," said Melissa Maxfield. "His experience on both sides of the Hill and in the White House will help us communicate effectively in Washington."
"Rudy Brioché has been a key player in telecommunications policy for several years," said Joe Waz, "and will be a strong addition to a terrific Washington team."
About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) (www.comcast.com) is the nation's leading provider of entertainment, information and communication products and services. With 24.1 million cable customers, 15.3 million high-speed Internet customers, and 6.8 million Comcast Digital Voice customers, Comcast is principally involved in the development, management and operation of cable systems and in the delivery of programming content.
Comcast's content networks and investments include E! Entertainment Television, Style Network, Golf Channel, VERSUS, G4, PBS KIDS Sprout, TV One, ten sports networks operated by Comcast Sports Group and Comcast Interactive Media, which develops and operates Comcast's Internet businesses, including Comcast.net (www.comcast.net). Comcast also has a majority ownership in Comcast-Spectacor, whose major holdings include the Philadelphia Flyers NHL hockey team, the Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball team and two large multipurpose arenas in Philadelphia.