Lisa M. Zaina, senior legal adviser to Federal Communications Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein, has been appointed chief executive officer of the Universal Service Administrative Company, replacing Cheryl Parrino.
Zaina previously served as vice president for industry and regulatory affairs and corporate secretary of Shenandoah Telecommunications Company (Shentel) in Edinburg, VA. Before that, she served as senior counsel and deputy bureau chief of the FCC's Common Carrier Bureau, which, as the Wireline Competition Bureau sets policies for universal service programs. She also has served as vice president and general counsel of the Organization for the Promotion and Advancement of Small Telecommunications Companies (OPASTCO) and as deputy assistant general counsel for the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners.
In announcing Zaina's appointment, FCC Chairman Michael Powell said, "Lisa has long been a friend of the Commission, of rural Americans and of mine. She has been a tireless voice in support of our universal service principles at the Commission throughout her years of service to this Commission. Although the Commission is losing a tremendous asset, USAC is gaining a dedicated champion of universal and affordable phone service. I am thrilled to appoint her CEO of USAC so that she may continue her service to America's schools and libraries, rural health care facilities, high-cost areas and low-income consumers."
The USAC Board of Directors unanimously recommended Zaina's selection. USAC Board Chairman Frank Gumper said, "I hate to see Cheryl leave. She has done a tremendous job of leading USAC with integrity and professionalism. However, I am thrilled that someone of Lisa's caliber and integrity would agree to lead USAC forward. She is the perfect person to lead USAC forward and build on the excellent foundation that Cheryl built." Parrino plans to step down at the end of January to pursue consulting opportunities.
Zaina received her J.D. from the Wake Forest University School of Law and her B.A. in psychology and pre-medicine from the University of Notre Dame.
