WASHINGTON, DC – Gail MacKinnon, Senior Vice President, Washington, for CBS Corporation, and a veteran of more than 20 years in congressional and government relations work, has been appointed Senior Vice President, Government Relations, for the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA), effective January 1, 2006.

MacKinnon succeeds Steve Berry, who last month announced his departure from NCTA at the end of the year. MacKinnon will report to Kyle McSlarrow, President & CEO, NCTA.

"With telecommunications issues high on the Congressional agenda, we are very pleased to be joined by a seasoned government relations executive with a proven track record of working with Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle," said McSlarrow. "Gail is deeply respected for her knowledge, expertise, and ability to successfully address significant public policy issues, and the cable industry is fortunate that she’s chosen to join us."

MacKinnon's career includes government relations experience in both the broadcasting and cable industries. She served previously as Vice President, Government Relations, for Viacom; Vice President, Federal Relations, CBS; Director of Government Relations for Tele-Communications Inc. (TCI); and Director of Government Relations for Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.

MacKinnon began her professional career as Legislative Director to U.S. Rep. Jack Fields (R-TX), who was the ranking Republican on the Telecommunications and Finance Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. She holds a B.S.B.A degree in Marketing from Georgetown University.

In her new post, MacKinnon will direct the activities of NCTA's Government Relations Department and its work in advocating the cable industry's views to Congress and the Executive Branch.

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