WASHINGTON - Today, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick has appointed four public safety, technology, and business leaders to the Board of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority).
The Board is now at full strength, with 12 non-permanent members selected by the Department of Commerce and three permanent members: the U.S. Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. The Board sets strategic priorities, establishes performance expectations and investment priorities, and ensures the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network has the capabilities and resources that first responders need to save lives and protect local communities.
“I congratulate the new FirstNet Authority Board members on their appointments by Secretary Lutnick. With the Board now at full strength, it has the expertise to provide strong strategic leadership for the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network,” said Arielle Roth, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator. “This marks a new era of investment and oversight for FirstNet, and I look forward to working with the Board to carry out the important responsibility Congress has entrusted to us.”
The four new members selected by Secretary Lutnick for the FirstNet Authority Board are:
- Mayor Mary Boyd of Comanche, Texas. In addition to her extensive experience in local government, Boyd is the former President of the National Emergency Number Association and a founding member of the National Association of State 9-1-1 Administrators (NASNA).
- Telecommunications Expert Allen Proithis of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Proithis is the CEO of Capstone Partners and former CEO of GXC.
- 9-1-1 technology expert Jeff Robertson of Carlsbad, California. Robertson is President of Allerium; former President and CEO of Intrado Life and Safety; and former Senior Vice President and General Manager of Public Safety with Rapid SOS.
- Public safety expert Jeffrey Streeter of Littleton, Colorado. Streeter recently retired from his position as Executive Director of Jefferson County 9-1-1 Center and previously served as Chief of Police of Lone Tree, Colorado.
In March, Secretary Lutnick partnered with AT&T to secure an additional $2 billion in value under the FirstNet contract for the benefit of public safety users nationwide. Secretary Lutnick also recently announced the appointment of Sheriff Michael Adkinson of Walton County, Florida as Chairman of the FirstNet Authority Board.
“I look forward to collaborating with new colleagues on the Board to best serve the communications needs of first responders. Their strong qualifications and experience are exactly what we need to deliver on our mission,” said Sheriff Michael Adkinson, FirstNet Authority Board Chair. “I want to thank the departing Board members for their tireless service, leadership, and commitment to advancing the FirstNet mission on behalf of the nation’s public safety community.”
As the Board welcomes its new members, NTIA also recognizes the service of Erik Gaull and Jocelyn Moore from the Board, whose terms conclude today. NTIA thanks Mr. Gaull and Ms. Moore for their Board service and dedication to public safety.