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Michelle Connolly Named FCC Chief Economist

Duke professor to advise on media ownership limits and AT&T-BellSouth merger

Duke University economics professor Michelle P. Connolly has been named chief economist of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

As chief economist, Connolly will advise the FCC on the economic dimensions of its mission to regulate interstate and international communications.

In announcing the appointment, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said, "I am pleased Michelle has agreed to serve in the critical role of chief economist. Her talent and expertise will be a great asset for the commission and will strengthen our policy-making."

Connolly is an associate professor of the practice and director of the Economics Center for Teaching (EcoTeach), which develops curriculum and instructional methods for economics courses. Her research is on international trade and development. Before coming to Duke in 1997, Connolly worked as an economist for the Federal Reserve Bank in New York.

"There are many challenging issues before the commission at this time, which makes this an interesting and stimulating position," Connolly said. "I am enjoying working with the people of the commission and take the responsibility of the position very seriously."

While advising the FCC, Connolly will also teach one course at Duke this fall.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for Michelle," said Thomas Nechyba, chair of Duke's economics department. "There are not many high-profile positions for economists in federal agencies that permit academics to engage in public service while bringing fresh real-world insights back to their academic work."

Connolly replaces Leslie Marx, an associate professor of economics in Duke's Fuqua School of Business, who served for a year as FCC chief economist.

Marx said the FCC's upcoming decision about how many media outlets a single company can own in a given market will require economics expertise, as the last media ownership restrictions set by the FCC were ruled to be insufficiently justified.

"They really need a strong economic justification for whatever restrictions they want to put in place," Marx said. "I expect Michelle will play an important role in that."

Marx said Connolly's expertise will also likely be needed in reviewing the pending merger of AT&T and BellSouth.

"She's in there at a time when there's some really important economic issues," Marx said.