Charla Rath

Co-Chair, U.S. Department of Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee (CSMAC) Former Vice President for Wireless Policy Development, Verizon

Bio

Charla Rath is current co-chair of the Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory  Committee (CSMAC) and former Verizon Vice President – Wireless Policy Development. At Verizon, Charla was responsible for developing and managing the  company’s public policy initiatives related to spectrum management, particularly  focusing on alternative spectrum auction mechanisms and sources of spectrum for next  generation wireless networks, including 5G. Previously at Verizon Wireless, alongside  the company’s business development and network planning groups, Charla identified  and addressed the key policy and regulatory issues that enabled Verizon Wireless to  secure a nationwide spectrum footprint.  

Prior to joining Verizon Wireless, Charla was Vice President – Strategic Affiliations, of  NextWave Telecom Inc. and Vice President of Freedom Technologies, Inc., a  Washington, DC-based telecommunications consulting firm.  

Charla also served as advisor to FCC Chairman Alfred C. Sikes on common carrier and  spectrum policy issues and as a primary specialist in spectrum and internet policy at the  National Telecommunications and Information Administration.  

Charla has an MA in science, technology, and public policy from The George  Washington University and a BSFS (Foreign Service) in international economics and  finance from Georgetown University.