FirstNet Authority names acting CEO

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) recently named Edward Parkinson acting CEO of FirstNet Authority.

Parkinson was a staff member on the House Homeland Security Committee before joining the FirstNet Authority in 2013 as one of its first employees.

While on the committee, he drafted the bill that eventually would create FirstNet.

With FirstNet Authority, Parkinson has held a variety of leadership positions, most recently executive director of external affairs. Parkinson also led efforts that resulted in every U.S. state and territory opting-into the FirstNet Network.

“I am honored 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,” Parkinson said. “I look forward to working with Chairman (Edward) Horowitz, the FirstNet Board, and our colleagues at the Department of Commerce, especially Assistant Secretary (David) 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.”

Parkinson replaces Mike Poth who served as CEO since 2015 but recently resigned.

FirstNet Authority’s goal is to build, deploy, and operate a nationwide broadband network that equips first responders.