FirstNet gets new acting CEO

Edward Parkinson has been appointed acting CEO of US public safety communications authority FirstNet, following the recent resignation of Mike Poth, who had served as CEO since 2015.

The announcement was made on Monday by the US First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) and the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

“Mr Parkinson is an excellent choice for Acting CEO,” said FirstNet Board Chair Edward Horowitz. “I have had the pleasure of getting to know and work with Ed in his role as Executive Director of External Affairs during the last three years and look forward to working closely with him as CEO.”

“I look forward to working with Ed in his new role,” added Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information David Redl. “His understanding of the history of the FirstNet project and his leadership roles throughout its maturation make him uniquely qualified to lead the FirstNet organisation into its operational phase.”

Parkinson joined the FirstNet Authority in 2013, after working on the House Homeland Security Committee for then Chairman Peter T King. During his time with the committee, he drafted the initial bill that began the effort to create FirstNet.

Parkinson was one of the first employees to join the FirstNet Authority and has served in a variety of leadership positions within the organisation, most recently as the Executive Director of External Affairs. He led the organisation’s outreach efforts that resulted in all 56 states and territories choosing to opt in to the FirstNet Network.

“I am honoured being named to the position, to lead the incredible people that we have at FirstNet today, and to deliver the network that public safety can trust with their lives,” said Parkinson.

“I look forward to working with Chairman Horowitz, the FirstNet Board and our colleagues at the Department of Commerce, especially Assistant Secretary Redl and NTIA, in achieving the high standards that public safety requires. Together with AT&T, FirstNet will succeed in delivering a world-class service for public safety.”

Pictured: Ed Parkinson. Courtesy FirstNet.

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