FCC Chair Carr appoints Andy Hendrickson as the Head of Office of Engineering & Technology
FCC Appoints Andy Hendrickson as Chief of Office of Engineering and Technology
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced the appointment of Andy Hendrickson as the chief of its Office of Engineering and Technology (OET). Hendrickson, who previously served as the chief technology officer (CTO) at the FCC Enforcement Bureau, will take on this new role effective August 2025.
Hendrickson brings over 20 years of experience in telecommunications and digital infrastructure to the FCC. Before joining the commission, he held senior leadership positions at Verizon Communications, where he contributed to the rollout of Verizon's 5G network and oversaw engineering and operations for the Verizon Cloud Platform. Prior to Verizon, Hendrickson led global technology initiatives at Esri Inc.
As head of the OET, Hendrickson will serve as the FCC’s principal technical adviser on matters related to spectrum policy, equipment authorization, and ensuring that regulatory standards keep pace with rapid technological changes in the communications sector. His role involves guiding technical policies that shape the commission’s approach to communications technology and infrastructure.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr expressed delight about Hendrickson's appointment, stating that the FCC's work will benefit from his understanding of both the technical foundations and real-world impact of decisions. Carr highlighted Hendrickson's strong technical expertise and his ability to draw on this knowledge to leverage transformative technologies like 5G, next-gen satellite, and AI to better serve the public interest.
In his new role, Hendrickson will be responsible for shaping spectrum policy, guiding equipment authorization, and ensuring regulatory standards reflect the rapidly evolving communications landscape. Carr also expressed gratitude towards Ira Keltz, who has served as the FCC's acting chief of OET since last October, for his service and is pleased that he will continue his public service as a Deputy Chief in OET.
Hendrickson holds dual degrees from Rutgers University's Schools of Environmental and Biological Sciences and Communication and Information. He has also served as a part-time lecturer at Rutgers University, teaching environmental geomatics. Additionally, Hendrickson is on the Board of the Rutgers School of Communication & Information Alumni Association.
Within the broader tech community, Hendrickson is active with the Linux Foundation, Open Infrastructure Foundation, and the Network Time Foundation. His extensive experience and expertise make him a valuable asset to the FCC as it continues to navigate the rapidly evolving world of communications technology.
- Hendrickson, who has experience in digital infrastructure, will oversee spectrum policy and equipment authorization in the FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology (OET), a role that also involves ensuring regulatory standards keep pace with technological changes in the communications sector, such as those in data-and-cloud-computing, 5G, and next-gen satellite technologies.
- Prior to joining the FCC, Hendrickson held senior leadership positions at Verizon Communications, where he contributed to the rollout of Verizon's 5G network and oversaw engineering and operations for the Verizon Cloud Platform, thus gaining expertise in digital video content and cloud technology.
- As the FCC’s principal technical adviser, Hendrickson will utilize his strong technical expertise to guide technical policies that shape the commission’s approach to communications technology and infrastructure, ensuring it stays current in the rapidly evolving communications landscape, including media outlets and satellite infrastructure.
- As the chief of OET, Hendrickson will continually assess the impact of policy decisions on the wider technology spectrum, ensuring the FCC's work benefits the public interest, thus contributing to the evolution of the media and digital data landscape.
- On top of his responsibilities at the FCC, Hendrickson serves on the boards of the Linux Foundation, Open Infrastructure Foundation, and the Network Time Foundation, demonstrating his commitment to fostering innovation and shaping the future of technology on a broader scale.
- With his extensive experience and expertise, Hendrickson is expected to play a crucial role in the FCC's efforts to adapt to and shape the rapidly evolving world of communications technology.
