William E. Kennard
The Carlyle Group

William E. Kennard joined The Carlyle Group in May 2001 as Managing Director. The Carlyle Group is a global private equity firm with over $58.5 billion under management. At The Carlyle Group, Mr. Kennard specializes in investments in the telecommunications and media sectors. Since joining Carlyle, Mr. Kennard has played key roles in Carlyle's investments in the Dex Media, Inc. (yellow pages publisher), Casema Holding, BV (European cable TV system), Hawaiian Telcom (local telephone company) and Insight Communications (U.S. cable television system).

Before joining The Carlyle Group, Mr. Kennard served as chairman of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission from November 1997 to January 2001. He presided over the FCC at an historic time. During his tenure, he shaped policies that created an explosion of new wireless phones, brought the Internet to a majority of American households, and resulted in billions of dollars of investment in new broadband technologies. At the same time, he implemented bold new policies to bridge the digital divide in the United States and around the world.

Mr. Kennard is well known for his advocacy for people at risk of being stranded on the wrong side of the digital divide. He aggressively implemented the FCC's e-rate program that invests over $2 billion each year to bring the Internet to almost every school and library in the United States. During his tenure, the FCC dramatically expanded access to communications technologies for people with disabilities. The FCC adopted policies to increase telephone service to rural areas, especially for Native Americans living on tribal lands. Mr. Kennard also reached out to create more ownership and employment opportunities for women and minorities.

As FCC chairman, Mr. Kennard promoted the benefits of competition and deregulation worldwide. He pioneered an innovative Development Initiative to assist countries in the developing world to participate more fully in the global information infrastructure. Through this initiative, Mr. Kennard signed the first partnership agreements on behalf of the FCC with ten countries on four continents to share U.S. regulatory experience with emerging regulatory authorities.

Mr. Kennard is well known for his advocacy for people at risk of being stranded on the wrong side of the digital divide. He aggressively implemented the FCC's e-rate program that invests over $2 billion each year to bring the Internet to almost every school and library in the United States. During his tenure, the FCC dramatically expanded access to communications technologies for people with disabilities. The FCC adopted policies to increase telephone service to rural areas, especially for Native Americans living on tribal lands. Mr. Kennard also reached out to create more ownership and employment opportunities for women and minorities.

U.S. News and World Report dubbed Kennard a consumer champion for the digital age. He has received many honors and awards for his accomplishments as FCC Chairman, including awards from the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, the Easter Seals Foundation, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and honorary degrees from Howard University, Long Island University and Gallaudet University.
Mr. Kennard serves on the boards of directors of The New York Times Company, Hawaiian Telcom and Insight Communications.

Mr. Kennard is a graduate of Stanford University and Yale Law School. He resides in Washington, D.C., with his wife, Deborah Diane Kennedy, and their son, Robert.