Richard S. Whitt is President of NetsEdge Consulting, LLC, a telecommunications and Internet consulting practice based in Washington, D.C.  Prior to founding NetsEdge in February 2006, Rick served as Vice President for Federal Law and Policy with MCI, Inc.  In that capacity, he oversaw all of MCI’s public policy and regulatory matters before the U.S. Federal Communications Commission. In addition, Rick developed and coordinated MCI's advocacy before the Executive Branch, U.S. Congress, and other governmental bodies, with an emphasis on advanced telecommunications services and the Internet.

During his twelve years with MCI, Rick played an instrumental role in developing and implementing strategies that helped gain important public policy outcomes.  Most recently he led the MCI team of attorneys responsible for securing timely FCC approval of the proposed merger with Verizon, while earlier he guided the company through contentious bankruptcy-related proceedings at the FCC.  Rick also founded and headed for six years MCI’s internal team of attorneys dedicated to promoting the “unregulation” of UUNET, the company’s Internet connectivity business.  In 2004, Rick conceived and authored several influential white papers advocating a new legal framework based on IP network "layers" concepts.  Rick represented MCI on the boards of directors for the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA), the United States Internet Service Provider Association (USISPA), the VON Coalition, and the Global IP Alliance (GIPA).  He made numerous speaking appearances on behalf of MCI at public conferences, forums, and panels.

Prior to joining MCI in 1994, Rick practiced telecommunications law as an associate attorney with the Washington, D.C. law firms of Sutherland Asbill & Brennan (1990-1994) and Bishop Cook Purcell & Reynolds (1988-1990).  He graduated cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center in 1988, and magna cum laude from James Madison University in 1984.  He has been an active member of the Federal Communications Bar Association (FCBA) for seventeen years, holding many leadership positions.