Former FCC Chair Ajit Pai Lands New Gig

Private investment firm Searchlight Capital Partners L.P. has named Ajit Pai, former chairman of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, as a partner and a prospective board member of a number of Searchlight’s existing investments in the technology, media, and telecommunications sectors.

New York Business Journal reports Searchlight said Pai brings deep expertise in technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT), having spent nine years in leadership roles at the FCC. Pai first joined the FCC as a commissioner in 2012 under President Barack Obama, and named chairman in 2017 under President Donald Trump.

Ajit Pai

Earlier in his career, Pai served in various positions at the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Senate. Before joining the FCC, he worked as a partner at the law firm of Jenner & Block and as in-house counsel at Verizon Communications.

“TMT has always been a core focus at Searchlight and in recent years we have seen the opportunities in these sectors grow, a trend accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic,” Eric Zinterhofer, a founding partner of Searchlight, said in a statement. 

“Given our strong presence in this space and Ajit’s distinguished career in the industry, we are excited to welcome him as our newest partner. His outstanding accomplishments at the FCC had a material impact on the broadband, wireless, and broadcast sectors, and his deep knowledge will be invaluable in accelerating our efforts in TMT and digital infrastructure.”

“I am excited to join the Searchlight team and help build on the firm’s demonstrated success in the technology media, and telecommunications sectors, especially with respect to digital infrastructure—an area that is essential to consumers and businesses in the United States and around the world,” Pai said.