FCC Commissioner Meredith Attwell Baker will become SVP of Governmental Affairs at NBCUniversal after her term ends at the agency in June, Comcast announced today. Baker, a Republican member of the FCC who voted in favor of the recent Comcast-NBCU merger, is the latest big name to join Comcast’s Washington lobbying team; former NCTA boss Kyle McSlarrow was hired as president of Comcast/NBCU in DC in March. “Commissioner Baker is one of the nation’s leading authorities on communications policy, and we’re thrilled she’s agreed to head the government relations operations for NBCUniversal,” McSlarrow said. “Meredith’s executive branch and business experience along with her exceptional relationships in Washington bring Comcast and NBCUniversal the perfect combination of skills.” Baker will report to McSlarrow and will work closely with Rick Cotton, NBCUniversal’s EVP and General Counsel, who continues to set strategic policy direction for NBCU. Reactions to the move already are coming in.

“With a winning combination of integrity, intellect and experience, Meredith Baker will be a key player for NBCUniversal, and I know that her in-depth knowledge of broadcast issues, deep understanding of the D.C. landscape and strong leadership abilities will make her an important resource for the entire broadcast industry,” said National Association of Broadcasters chief Gordon Smith.

Said Media Access Project’s Andrew Jay Schwartzman: “Commissioner Baker has been a consummate public servant. While her viewpoints have often differed from ours, she has always been open-minded, conscientious and dedicated to acting in the public interest as she saw it.”

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