13 Facts About Tom Wheeler

Thomas Edgar Wheeler was born on April 5,1946 and is an American businessman and former government official.

Tom Wheeler was appointed by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the US Senate in November 2013.

Tom Wheeler was born on April 5,1946, in Redlands, California.

From 1969 to 1976, Tom Wheeler led the trade group Grocery Manufacturers of America.

From 2005 Tom Wheeler was a technology entrepreneur and executive at Core Capital Partners.

Originally considered a frontrunner for the position, Tom Wheeler was confirmed as the new Federal Communications Commission chief in November 2013 following a confirmation hearing before the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

In recognition of his work in promoting the wireless industry, Tom Wheeler was inducted into the Wireless Hall of Fame in 2003 and in 2009, as a result of his work in promoting the growth and prosperity of the cable television industry and its stakeholders, was inducted into the Cable Television Hall of Fame.

Tom Wheeler is the only person who is a member of both halls of fame.

In late April 2014, the contours of a document leaked that indicated that the FCC under Tom Wheeler would consider announcing rules that would violate net neutrality principles by making it easier for companies to pay ISPs to provide faster "lanes" for delivering their content to Internet users.

Tom Wheeler stated in January 2015 that the FCC was "going to propose rules that say no blocking, no throttling, no paid prioritization" at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Adoption of this notion would reclassify Internet service from one of information to one of telecommunications and, according to Tom Wheeler, ensure US net neutrality.

Critics said that Tom Wheeler was unduly influenced by Obama in changing his stance on net neutrality.

Tom Wheeler responded that the new rules had not been discussed during the meetings.