Ajit Pai

Prior to joining Searchlight in 2021, Mr. Pai was the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”), which he led from 2017 until 2021. He first joined the FCC as a Commissioner in 2012. During Mr. Pai’s tenure as Chairman, he implemented major initiatives to help close the digital divide; advance U.S. leadership in 5G, Open Radio Access Networks, Wi-Fi 6, and other wireless technologies; promote innovation; protect consumers, public safety, and national security; and make the agency itself more open, transparent, and data-driven. Earlier in his career, he served in various positions of increasing responsibility at the FCC, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the U.S. Senate. Before becoming a Commissioner, he worked as a Partner at the law firm of Jenner & Block and served as in-house counsel at Verizon. Mr. Pai graduated with honors from Harvard University in 1994 and from the University of Chicago Law School in 1997.