Rachelle Chong

Rachelle Chong is a principal at Law Offices of Rachelle Chong and Strategic Consulting of Rachelle Chong. She is a former Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission (1994-1998) and the California Public Utilities Commission (2006-2009). She now practices law and lobbies before the California PUC and the FCC on behalf of a broad variety of clients in the broadband, transportation and energy areas. She was an FCC Commissioner when the Telecom Act of 1996 was passed. As a result, she helped shape and vote on the initial E-rate program at the FCC. She has had a special interest and fondness for the E-rate program ever since. While a CPUC Commissioner, she implemented the first state broadband infrastructure program for unserved and underserved areas, helped obtain an FCC grant for the first telehealth organization in California, and introduced advanced technologies to state telecommunications programs. Her career experiences include two major law firms, two start up General Counsel roles, and service at the California Technology Agency (the State CIO's Office). Recently, Ms. Chong served on the SHLB Board and served as SHLB Chair for two years. She remains active with SHLB in the policy realm. She holds a law degree from UC Law, San Francisco, and a Bachelor of Science from UC Berkeley (Journalism and Political Science dual major). She lives in San Francisco and Healdsburg, and hails from Stockton, California. She enjoys playing the ukulele in her spare time.