U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo recently appointed 11 public safety, technology, and business leaders to the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) board of directors.
FirstNet Authority is an independent entity within the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration. It is tasked with building, deploying, and operating a nationwide public safety broadband network for first responders.
Raimondo appointed seven new members and reappointed four current members. She also appointed Keisha Lance Bottoms as board chairwoman for a two-year term.
Lance Bottoms is the former mayor of Atlanta and a former senior advisor to President Joe Biden. She currently is CEO of KRLB, LLC.
“Ms. Bottoms is a visionary leader known for her impactful governance and focus on equity,” Raimondo said. “Her strong stewardship and vision will greatly benefit the board. I am confident that under her leadership, the new board will continue to successfully deploy FirstNet across the country and effectively serve our first responders.”
Congress stipulated that the FirstNet Authority be governed by a 15-person board. The secretary of commerce selects 12 nonpermanent members while the U.S. attorney general, the secretary of homeland security, and the Office of Management and Budget director serve as permanent members.