Kent Nilsson is the Federal Communications Commission's Inspector General. The Inspector General directs investigations, audits, and inspections of the FCC's operations, programs, financial statements, and the Commission's IT infrastructure and communications networks.  The Office of Inspector General consists of attorneys, auditors, economists and investigators who conduct, supervise, and coordinate audits, investigations and inspections either directly or through contracts with auditing and investigative personnel.

Before becoming Inspector General, Kent was Special Counsel and Deputy Chief of the Federal Communications Commission's Network Technology Division. The Network Technology Division addressed technologies in wireless, wireline, satellite, and CATV media from the perspectives of interoperability, security, reliability, addressability,  and scalability. The Network Technology Division was also responsible for the operation of the Commission's Network Reliability and Interoperability Council, the FCC's Technological Advisory Council, and evolving technological issues that affect administration of the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (the "Digital Wiretap Statute").

Previously, Kent was Deputy Chief-Policy of the FCC's Network Services Division. The Network Services Division addressed engineering and technological issues that arose within the framework of the Communications Act that was administered by the FCC's Common Carrier Bureau (subsequently renamed the Wireline Competition Bureau). Those issues included administration of the North American Numbering Plan, interconnection of public switched networks with customer equipment (e.g., modems, FAX machines, PBXs) and inside wiring, and competitive carrier issues (e.g., interconnection, dialing parity, directory assistance). While Deputy Chief, Kent also served as the Commission's Managing Counsel for the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (i.e., the digital wiretap statute) and managed the Commission's Y2K initiatives for telephone companies.

Before becoming Deputy Chief of the Network Services Division, Kent was Chief of the Cost Analysis Branch of the Common Carrier Bureau's Accounting and Audits Division. In that capacity, Kent was responsible for the econometric modeling, and the Commission's administration, of the Universal Service Fund and the Average Schedule Settlements processes in addition to the Commission's administration of rules governing jurisdictional separations. Kent was also responsible for a broad range of legal, accounting, financial, and economic issues concerning telephone companies in the continental United States, Alaska, the Caribbean, and the Western Pacific.

Previously, Kent served as a Senior Attorney-Advisor and as legal counsel to a FCC Commissioner. Kent holds B.S., M.B.A., J.D., and Ph.D. degrees, and is a member of the Bars of the District of Columbia, North Carolina, and Virginia.