Key facts
- Courtney Reinhard succeeds Jay Schwarz, who left the Space Bureau chief position in August.
- She most recently held the position of chief telecommunications counsel for the Senate Commerce Committee.
- She previously worked at the FCC as legal advisor to then-Commissioner Ajit Pai.
- She worked for Verizon as a vice president overseeing federal government relations.
Brendan Carr announced on Oct. 29, 2026, that Courtney Reinhard will lead the FCC’s Space Bureau. She takes over from Jay Schwarz, who left the bureau chief position in August. Reinhard is the third person to lead the Space Bureau, formed in 2023 to handle policy and licensing for satellite and space-based communications.
The bureau handles policy and licensing for space activities.
Reinhard recently worked as chief telecommunications counsel for the Senate Commerce Committee. She comes back to the FCC after years in the wireless industry and the US Senate. Carr said her record spans industry and the US Senate, including work for chair Ted Cruz. Carr made those remarks when he announced Reinhard’s appointment to the Space Bureau.
Carr welcomed Reinhard back to the commission. “It is great to have Courtney back at the FCC.” He said she will excel leading the Space Bureau team. The comment was part of Carr’s statement welcoming Reinhard back to the FCC.
Carr made the remarks when he announced Reinhard’s appointment to the Space Bureau. Reinhard once served as chief of staff to then-Commissioner Mike O’Rielly at the FCC. She also worked as legal advisor to then-Commissioner Ajit Pai at the commission.
Reinhard worked for Verizon as a vice president overseeing federal government relations. Her career includes work in the wireless sector alongside her government and commission roles. She holds degrees from George Mason University School of Law and the University of California at Davis.
Carr said Reinhard’s experience spans the private sector and the U.S. Senate, including work for chair Ted Cruz. He also said the commission’s space economy efforts have succeeded through updated rules, streamlined assembly line licensing, and a major cut in pending applications. Carr cited these achievements in his statement on Reinhard’s appointment.
Schwarz made satellite licensing reform a central focus during his time as bureau chief. The commission has pursued licensing streamlining and environmental rule changes for space activities over the past year. The commission has adopted an assembly line approach to space licensing over the past year.
The commission has reduced environmental regulations governing space activities over the past year.
The Satellite Industry Association welcomed Reinhard’s appointment as space bureau chief. SIA is an industry group responding to the FCC leadership change. Tom Stroup said the association congratulates Reinhard and welcomes her selection as the commission’s space bureau chief. Stroup also cited Reinhard’s commercial industry, spectrum policy and regulatory expertise.
Stroup’s statement was part of SIA’s applause for the appointment.
Stroup said Reinhard’s background includes commercial, spectrum policy and regulatory work across the private sector, Congress and the FCC. According to the FCC, the bureau helps advance U.S. leadership in connectivity, technology and national security. The agency made that point in the announcement of Reinhard’s appointment as chief.
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