Rebecca L. Makely has been appointed director of the Department of Cable and Consumer Services (DCCS). She succeeds Michael Liberman, who retired earlier this year. 

Makely began her career with Fairfax County government in 2001 as a consumer specialist in what was then the Department of Cable Communications and Consumer Protection. She was later promoted to accountant and financial specialist positions and in 2016 was promoted to Consumer Services Division Director with DCCS. 

As the Consumer Services division director, Makely managed a portfolio of four branches with 21 employees: consumer affairs, regulation and licensing, meeting space management and event support, and administrative services. 

Since early 2022, Makely has served as acting director of DCCS. In that role she oversees a team of 57 and a budget of more than $20 million; is the county’s cable television administrator — responsible for the county’s cable franchises, enforcement of technical standards and customer service regulations and service negotiation among other duties; directs the production and broadcast of programming and government meetings via Channel 16, the county’s cable television station; and manages county consumer services.

DCCS comprises three divisions: Consumer Services, Communications Productions and Communications Policy and Regulation. 

Consumer Services mediates consumer and tenant-landlord issues, conducts outreach, regulates taxis and towing, issues certain business licenses, and supports meetings and events at the Fairfax County Government Center. 

The Communications Productions Division operates Fairfax County Governmental Channel 16 and the Fairfax County Training Network (FCTN). Channel 16 televises and streams government meetings and produces informational programs for the public. The division also televises training and programming for employees on FCTN. 

The Communications Policy and Regulation Division negotiates cable franchise agreements and is responsible for regulatory oversight of the county’s three franchised cable television providers.

Makely has a bachelor’s degree in Business from Pensacola Christian College and holds a Certified Public Manager accreditation from George Washington University. Her appointment was effective Nov. 19.

To learn more about the agency, visit the DCCS website.