Say goodbye to Kevin Martin.

The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission officially announced his resignation Thursday, effective Jan. 20.

Martin will leave the commission to serve as a senior fellow for the Aspen Institute's Communications and Society Program.

Martin, a Republican, was not expected to stay on as chairman after President-elect Barack Obama took office, though there was the possibility that he would assume the role of commissioner. Obama will reportedly name former IAC/Interactive Corp. executive Julius Genachowski as the next FCC chairman.

Martin is the fourth consecutive chairman to serve as a senior fellow at the Aspen Institute following their tenure at the FCC. Democrats Reed Hundt and William Kennard and Republican Michael Powell have all assumed the role. Genachowski also has ties to the Institute.

The Communications and Society Program studies the societal impacts of advances in digital technology and network communications.

"Chairman Martin has been a longtime participant in Aspen Institute forums," Charles Firestone, executive director of the program, said in a statement. "We look forward to working with him and to the advice he will give us."

"I have long enjoyed and respected the Communications and Society Program, and will relish the opportunity to reflect on the nature of leadership that I exercised in this field for the past several years," Martin said.

Martin came under fire last month after a report from the House Energy and Commerce Committee accused the chairman of abusing his power and creating a culture of fear at the FCC.

Martin denied any wrongdoing. During an appearance at last week's Consumer Electronics Show, Martin said he regretted several things, including the failure of the d-block during the 700-MHz auction, his inability to get cable rates under control, and the delay on universal service reform.