• by David Kaplan , January 26, 2005

Kyle McSlarrow, a former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy who has served as the top aide to a number of members of the U.S. Senate, has been named president and CEO of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association, a Washington, D.C.-based industry advocacy organization. He officially assumes the post on March 1. The organization's current head, Robert Sachs, announced he was stepping down last fall.

McSlarrow will serve as the cable industry's chief advocate and representative in its relationship with the U.S. Congress, the Administration, the Federal Communications Commission, and other federal agencies. He will also manage the staff, programs, and initiatives of NCTA.

A former candidate for Congress in Virginia's 8th Congressional District, McSlarrow has served as deputy chief of staff and chief counsel to former U.S. Senator Bob Dole (R-KS) and U.S. Senator Trent Lott (R-MS) when each served as Senate Majority Leader; and as chief of staff for the late U.S. Senator Paul Coverdell (R-GA).

His experience with high-ranking Republicans is seen as crucial for his role at the NCTA, particularly as Congress prepares a major review of the 1996 Telecommunications Act.

"Kyle brings to NCTA a long record of achievement in government, a history of success in working with congressional leaders, solid experience in dealing with regulatory issues, and a strong belief in cable's potential to serve the needs of American consumers in a free and competitive marketplace," said Glenn Britt, chairman and CEO of Time Warner Cable, and chairman of the NCTA Board of Directors.

McSlarrow has served as deputy secretary of energy and COO of the department since 2001, and last week announced his resignation from the post, effective next month.