WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, today announced several changes to the committee’s communications and technology staff, outlined an expanded cross-subcommittee staff portfolio, and also welcomed a new press secretary. Upton congratulated departing staff on new opportunities and highlighted the experienced staff leadership that will continue going forward. David Redl will serve as the new Subcommittee on Communications and Technology chief counsel, replacing outgoing subcommittee chief counsel Neil Fried, who has held the position since Upton became chairman in 2011. Ray Baum, a senior advisor who has focused on the C&T Subcommittee under Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR), will provide strategic counsel for the committee in an expanded role as senior policy advisor and chief strategist on state initiatives, cybersecurity, telecommunications, and technology. Upton also welcomed Kelsey Guyselman to the subcommittee as counsel.
Upton praised Fried’s dedicated service to the committee, stating, “Neil has been a fixture of the Energy and Commerce telecommunications team for nearly a decade. I have greatly appreciated his wise and steady counsel through the years dating back to my days at the helm of the telecommunications subcommittee. He was instrumental in the ongoing effort to keep the Internet free of regulations and helping spur innovation and technological advancement in the communications sector."
Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Walden added, “Neil has been a valuable member of our team for many years, and has provided me with excellent advice and counsel. From our efforts to free up spectrum to rooting out waste in government to reforming federal agencies, Neil has been there every step of the way. Our subcommittee will miss his considerable talents."
David Redl has served on the Energy and Commerce Committee since 2011 as counsel. Prior to joining the committee, Redl was Director of Regulatory Affairs at CTIA - The Wireless Association. Baum, who has served as Senior Policy Advisor for Chairman Walden and the subcommittee, has extensive experience at the state level as a former Majority Leader of the Oregon state House of Representatives and former chairman of the Oregon Public Utility Commission. Guyselman received her JD from the Catholic University Columbus School of Law and most recently served as a Law Clerk for Regulatory Affairs at CTIA.
“We have a terrific telecommunications team, and I am delighted that David Redl will serve as Chief Counsel for the Communications and Technology Subcommittee and Ray Baum will take on an expanded role providing strategic counsel on issues that are important not only in the communications space, but across multiple areas our committee oversees," said Upton. “The communications sector is a bright spot in our economy, and we have a great team in David, Ray, and Kelsey to ensure Congress continues fostering job growth, innovation, and breakthrough technologies in the communications world."
Walden added, “I’m pleased that David Redl and Ray Baum will continue to provide excellent counsel to me and the subcommittee. Their know-how will be invaluable as we continue our work to unleash innovation and create jobs in the technology sector. David and Ray are both dedicated professionals who bring many years of public service experience to our team. Kelsey Guyselman is also a great addition to our staff."
Upton also welcomed the addition of Noelle Clemente to the committee’s press team. Clemente, a Capitol Hill veteran, comes to the committee from the American Action Forum where she served as press secretary. Clemente previously served as press secretary for then-House Republican Policy Committee Chairman Tom Price (R-GA). Clemente has an extensive background in health care communications and will serve as press secretary spearheading the committee’s Obamacare and health related issues. “As we continue our aggressive oversight of Obamacare, Noelle will be a terrific addition to our communications team. We have many challenges in health care moving forward, from Obamacare’s implementation to entitlement reform, that’s why it is so important that we have the team in place to communicate our important work to the American public."
