Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross conducted the official swearing-in of seven new or re-appointed members to serve on the Board of the FirstNet Responder Network Authority. The Board oversees the activities of FirstNet to ensure that its public-private partnership with AT&T continues to successfully develop, build, and operate a nationwide broadband network that will equip first responders to save lives and protect U.S. communities.
“FirstNet is making a real difference for first responders and the communities in which they serve,” Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said at the swearing in. “The FirstNet Board is entrusted with making sure the brave men and women responsible for public safety have the communications tools they need to keep Americans safe and secure. Realizing the full potential of FirstNet is a top priority of the Department of Commerce.”
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. In September, Secretary Ross reappointed Edward Horowitz to the Board and named him Board Chair.
Joining as new members are:
Richard Carrizzo, Chief of the Southern Platte Fire Protection District, Kansas City, Missouri, who also serves as lead fire representative on the 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 to Chair Edward Horowitz, Secretary Ross reappointed one other 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.
The FirstNet board will convene an open public meeting of the board and board committees on December 13, 2018.