Brian Fontes started his career as a Professor of Communications at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, then moved into the wireless industry’s policy and regulatory sectors, facilitating wireless adoption in the U.S. and abroad.
Originally invited to the FCC for a 1-year stint, Brian headed projects with children’s TV programming, and worked in the Office of Plans and Policy concerning public broadcasting. He then joined Commissioner Jim Quello’s office as his senior advisor and FCC Chief of Staff. Given the wireless portfolio one year after the first cellular licenses were issued, Brian worked on the task force dealing with licensing structure and spectrum allocation services.
In 1994, Brian moved to CTIA as Senior VP for Policy and Administration, where he continued his involvement with international telecom policy. He was tasked with developing policies and guiding regulation for wireless services in South Africa, working with the transitioning new government under F. W. de Klerk and Nelson Mandela. In 1995, President Clinton appointed Brian as head of the U.S. Delegation to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) World Radio Conference held in Geneva, Switzerland, and gave him the rank of Ambassador. In Bosnia-Herzegovina after the 1995 Dayton agreement, Brian served as Chairman of the Communication Regulatory Agency Council to help build policies and wireless spectrum access in the newly formed country, ensuring wireless availability for its public. Brian also served on a number of U.S. delegations to ITU conferences in Switzerland, Singapore, South America, the Caribbean, and Japan. From 2001-2008, Brian was VP of Federal Relations for Cingular Wireless and was part of the team involved with the acquisition of AT&T Wireless Services.
Since 2008, Brian has been CEO for the National Emergency Number Association (NENA), focusing on reliable 911 service, and providing NENA the latest wireless technologies and location services, which in turn helps first responders, hospitals and the public relying on 911 assistance when using handheld devices.
Currently Brian serves on the Board of Directors of the 911 Institute, and the Quello Center for Telecommunication Management, Policy and Law. He has served on the Commerce Department’s Spectrum Management Advisory Committee and the FCC’s Communications Security, Reliability and Interoperability Council. Brian has a PhD in Mass Media/Telecommunications from Michigan State University and received the Eugene C. Bowler Award for Excellence in Government Service. He was inducted into the Wireless Hall of Fame in 2006.