Today, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce announced that Secretary Howard Lutnick has appointed Sheriff Michael A. Adkinson, Jr. to serve as Chairman of the Board of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority).
“Sheriff Adkinson is a proven leader who has worked alongside first responders for nearly two decades as Sheriff of Walton County, Florida,” said Secretary Lutnick. “His experience will help lead FirstNet, making sure the network is always available, reliable and fast for those working hard to keep our communities safe.”
Adkinson is the Sheriff of Walton County, Florida and was appointed to the FirstNet Authority Board in 2024. He has served as the Acting Chairman of the FirstNet Authority Board since September 2025. Adkinson has served as Walton County Sheriff since 2009 and was most recently reelected in 2024. Sheriff Adkinson serves on the Board of Directors for the National Sheriffs’ Association and is a past president of the Florida Sheriffs’ Association.
“Congratulations to Sheriff Adkinson on his exceptionally well-deserved appointment as Chairman of the FirstNet Authority Board. His deep public safety experience and leadership will continue to be an invaluable asset to FirstNet,” said Arielle Roth, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator. “I look forward to continuing our work together to strengthen this mission-critical network and ensure first responders can depend on resilient, ubiquitous connectivity when it matters most.”
Representatives from government, industry and public safety serve on the Board to oversee FirstNet's activities and help ensure that the FirstNet Authority and its commercial partner, AT&T, develop, deploy, and operate a nationwide broadband network that equips first responders with the mission-critical connectivity they need to save lives and protect U.S. communities.