Julius Knapp retired from the Federal Communications Commission on January 3, 2020 after 45+ years of service. From 2006 till his retirement he served as the Chief of the FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology (OET). OET is the Commission’s primary resource for engineering expertise and provides technical support to the Chairman, Commissioners and FCC Bureaus and Offices.
Mr. Knapp previously served as a Deputy Chief of OET from 2002 – 2006. Prior to that he was the Chief of the Policy & Rules Division where he was responsible for FCC frequency allocation proceedings and for proceedings amending the FCC rules for unlicensed radio frequency devices. Mr. Knapp was Chief of the FCC Laboratory from 1994 – 1997 where he was responsible for the FCC’s equipment authorization program and technical analyses.
He received the FCC’s Silver and Gold Medal Awards for distinguished service at the Commission as well as the Presidential Distinguished Rank Award for exceptional achievement in the career Senior Executive Service. Mr. Knapp has been the recipient of the Eugene C. Bowler award for exceptional professionalism and dedication to public service; the Federal Communications Bar Association Excellence in Government Service Award; the WCAI Government Leadership award; the National Spectrum Management Association Fellow Award; the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance Lifetime Achievement Award; Wi-Fi Alliance recognition for commitment to Wi-Fi and unlicensed spectrum; the Association of Federal Communications Consulting Engineers E. Noel Luddy Award; and the Satellite Industry Association Satellite Leadership in Government Award. Mr. Knapp is a Life Member of the IEEE. He received a Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the City College of New York in 1974.