Former FCC Chief Joins Private Equity Firm

Michael K. Powell, the former chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, has joined private equity firm Providence Equity Partners to provide expertise in the technology and communications fields, the company said.

Providence, which focuses on media, communications and information companies, said its principals managed funds with more than $9 billion in equity commitments.

Powell, a self-professed gadget geek, served as FCC chairman from 2001 to 2005 and as a commissioner for three years before that.