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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Commerce Department Announces Six Leadership Appointments to Board of FirstNet First Responder Network Authority

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the appointment of six leaders in public safety, technology and network financing to serve on the Board of the FirstNet First Responder Network Authority.

The new members bring the FirstNet board to a full complement, with 12 non-permanent members selected by the Commerce Department and three permanent seats filled by the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. The Board oversees the activities of FirstNet to ensure that FirstNet and AT&T, its commercial partner, develop, build, and operate a nationwide broadband network that will best equip first responders to save lives and protect U.S. communities.

Last month, Secretary Ross reappointed Edward Horowitz to the Board and named him Board Chair.

“I am proud to announce the selection of these highly qualified new Board members, whose experience in public service and the private sector will ensure FirstNet continues to provide the world-class communications network our emergency responders need,” said Secretary Ross. “I thank our new members for their willingness to join the Board and guide FirstNet in its mission to save lives and keep our communities safe.”

Secretary Ross appointed five members to the FirstNet Board for three-year terms:

  • Richard Carrizzo, Chief of the Southern Platte Fire Protection District, Kansas City, Missouri, who also serves as lead fire representative on the policy board that manages the region’s 911 system.
  • Welton Chase, Jr. Brig. Gen. (ret.), U.S. Army, Army Information Technology (Signal), led the Army’s largest theater information technology organization supporting over 430,000 Army users across 81 data centers in 38 states.
  • Brian Crawford, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Shreveport, Louisiana, responsible for the city’s fire, police and public works departments.
  • Billy Hewes, Mayor, Gulfport, Mississippi, who’s played a key role in recovery operations from natural and man-made disasters.
  • Paul R. Patrick, Division Director, Family Health and Preparedness, Utah Department of Health, Salt Lake City, and past president of the National Association of State EMS Officials.

In addition, Secretary Ross reappointed one current Board member to serve in a new three-year term:

  • Neil Cox, CEO, Repio, Inc., Seal Beach, California, has served as Chair of the FirstNet Board’s Technology Committee.

“I want to thank and welcome all of the new board members and congratulate Neil Cox on his reappointment,” said David Redl, Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator. “I am confident we have the right board in place, under the leadership of Ed Horowitz, to guide FirstNet as it deploys around the country and connects our first responders.”

“I am pleased to welcome our newest members to the FirstNet Board,” said Horowitz. “Each are experts in their fields – from local leaders to public safety officials and business and technology executives. I want to thank Secretary Ross for supporting FirstNet with these new appointments and the reappointment of Neil Cox. With these accomplished leaders on board, we are set to drive FirstNet’s success – now and in the future.”

“I also want to thank our outgoing members for their service to FirstNet and the public safety community; Kevin McGinnis, who was a member of the FirstNet Board since the beginning and brought valuable emergency medical perspectives and relationships to FirstNet, and Mayor Annise D. Parker, who served on our Public Safety Advocacy Committee and helped us engage with local governments in the planning leading up to the early deployment of FirstNet.”

Read more at the Commerce Department

Commerce Department Announces Six Leadership Appointments to Board of FirstNet First Responder Network Authority Homeland Security Today
Homeland Security Today
The Government Technology & Services Coalition's Homeland Security Today (HSToday) is the premier news and information resource for the homeland security community, dedicated to elevating the discussions and insights that can support a safe and secure nation. A non-profit magazine and media platform, HSToday provides readers with the whole story, placing facts and comments in context to inform debate and drive realistic solutions to some of the nation’s most vexing security challenges.
Homeland Security Today
Homeland Security Todayhttp://www.hstoday.us
The Government Technology & Services Coalition's Homeland Security Today (HSToday) is the premier news and information resource for the homeland security community, dedicated to elevating the discussions and insights that can support a safe and secure nation. A non-profit magazine and media platform, HSToday provides readers with the whole story, placing facts and comments in context to inform debate and drive realistic solutions to some of the nation’s most vexing security challenges.

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