Michael Powell, the former chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, is expected to be tapped to lead the National Cable & Telecommunications Association.

“He is certainly the leading candidate,” said an industry source knowledgeable about the negotiations. The announcement could come as soon as Tuesday.

Powell would replace Kyle McSlarrow, who was named this month to head the Washington office of cable giant Comcast, which recently acquired NBC Universal.

Powell has intimate knowledge of federal communications issues, having been chairman of the FCC from 2001 through 2005. He is the son of Colin Powell, the former secretary of state and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

After leaving the FCC, the younger Powell has co-chaired Broadband for America, which works to increase broadband Internet access.

He is a senior adviser to Providence Equity Partners and sits on the boards of AOL Inc. and Cisco Systems Inc.