Irene Flannery, who has been a key Federal Communications Commission official working on the E-rate program since its inception, has been named vice president of the High Cost and Low Income Division of the Universal Service Administrative Company, effective Sept. 5.
Flannery has served with the FCC's Accounting Policy Division for the past four years, most recently as division chief. She co-authored the schools and libraries sections of the FCC's 1st Recommended Decision on the new Universal Service programs and the agency's 1st Report and Order. Both helped lay the groundwork for the structure of the E-rate program. Before becoming an attorney, Flannery was a teacher in the parochial schools of Montgomery County, MD.
"Irene Flannery combines program knowledge with a commitment to excellence in leadership and service," said USAC CEO Cheryl Parrino. "She has been a strong supporter of USAC and its programs and we are pleased to add her to the USAC management team."
The High Cost and Low Income Division manages the universal service programs that provide rate subsidies to companies operating in areas where it is more expensive to provide telecommunications services and that serve low-income consumers.
