Byron F. Marchant

Byron F. Marchant is the Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer of Black Entertainment Television, Inc. In these various positions, Marchant oversees legal affairs, human resources, computer information systems, satellite operations, telecommunications, facilities, real estate and the corporate purchasing departments for BET and its subsidiaries.

Prior to joining BET, he served as Partner with Patton Boggs, LLP. Other positions he has held include Senior Vice President and General Counsel for TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. of Annapolis, Senior Legal Advisor to former FCC Commissioner Andrew Barrett, and an attorney with the law firm Sidley & Austin.

Marchant is a member of the New Jersey Bar, the U.S. Supreme Court Bar, the Federal Communications Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. He serves on the board of directors of TeleCommunication Systems, Inc, Public Education Network, Cable Positive, District of Columbia Chamber of Commerce, and BET.com, LLC. He also serves on the executive committee of the Federal Communication Bar Association and is a member of the Northern Virginia Business Roundtable.

A native of Chicago, Marchant received his law degree from the University of Virginia, and his undergraduate degree in engineering and political systems from the United States Naval Academy.