About Rachelle Chong

Leading Government/Regulatory Affairs Expert and Advocate in California

Fields of Expertise: Sharing Economy, Transportation Network Company (Lyft, Side) regulation, Telecommunications, Broadband, Telehealth, E-Rate, Wireless Communications, Public Safety Communications, Cable, Digital Literacy, Transportation, Smart Grid, Renewable Energy, Electric Vehicle and Autonomous Vehicle Policy, and Public Utilities law.

I have forged deep ties throughout my legislative and regulatory career, and have developed an expansive local, state, and Federal government and regulatory agency network. This extensive network offers me the unique ability to assist companies in understanding governmental processes, reduce red tape, advocate innovative policies in California and in Washington, D.C., and expedite projects.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:

As interim General Counsel of Sidecar and CPUC regulatory consultant to Lyft, I have forged new regulations and laws for ridesharing. As Comcast’s VP Government Affairs, I worked with broad coalitions that achieved legislative success in minimizing regulation of IP-enabled services and maintaining a cable industry tax exemption resulting in $15M in negative taxes. I led the company's California community investment program. As General Counsel and VP Gov't Affairs of Broadband Office, I managed a Kleiner Perkins start up in the IP-enabled broadband and apps space.

As a Governor Schwarzenegger appointee to the California’s Public Utilities Commission, I become the agency’s point person for telecom, broadband, digital literacy, and Internet policies involving work with the Federal Communications Commission, Dept. of Commerce's NTIA, Department of Energy, and Dept. of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service. I initiated a multi million CA Advanced Services Fund to deliver broadband infrastructure to areas without broadband or dial up Internet service.