• by Wayne Friedman , March 15, 2011

Former Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell has been named the new leader of the National Cable and Telecommunications Association, the big cable TV trade group.

Powell will become president and chief executive officer of the National Cable and Telecommunications Assn. He replaces Kyle McSlarrow, who left this month to be the head Washington lobbyist with the title of president, Washington, for Comcast Corp., the biggest cable system operator in the U.S.

Powell -- who was chairman of FCC from 2001 to 2005, part of an overall eight-year stint at the agency -- started as a commissioner. He pushed for a scaling back of government oversight on the media business during his tenure, and favored the loosening of media ownership rules, which was later stopped by the courts.

Powell also pushed for an aggressive crackdown on over-the-air obscenities.

"Michael Powell is one of the most well-respected and influential visionaries in all of telecommunications, and we're so proud to have him join the cable team," stated NCTA board Chairman Patrick J. Esser, the president of Cox Communications.

"Cable is a dynamic and highly innovative industry, providing cutting-edge services and content that Americans love," Powell said.

A senior advisor with Providence Equity Partners, a private equity firm focused on media and communications, Powell is the son of former Secretary of State Colin Powell.