After less than a year on the job, John Kneuer is stepping down at the end of the month as head of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration—a job that put him in charge of administering the government's $1.5 billion DTV converter box and coupon program.

Kneuer will be replaced at least temporarily by his deputy, Meredith Baker. She will run the agency until President Bush appoints a permanent successor.

Baker joined NTIA in January 2004 as a senior advisor. She is the daughter-in-law of former Secretary of State James Baker.

Kneuer told staff late yesterday he was quitting to pursue "opportunities in the private sector," said NTIA spokesman Todd Sedmak. "Now is the best time for him to do that."

According to Sedmak, Kneuer will be leaving behind the people and policies needed to implement successfully the DTV program and $1 billion public safety interoperability grants, another major NTIA program.

In an interview with TVNEWSDAY two months ago, Kneuer maintained that his DTV initiatives were on track, that early next year coupons will be sent out and consumers will find converters in stories to spend them on.

Kneuer was nominated for the post on May 1, 2006, and confirmed by the Senate on Dec. 9, 2006. The job also carries the title of Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information.

Kneuer was promoted to the NTIA's top job from within the agency. Prior to joining NTIA in 2003, Kneuer was a senior associate at the law firm of Piper Rudnick, working on telecommunications, defense and transportation issues.