The First Responder Network Authority and the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) said yesterday Edward Parkinson will serve as Acting Chief Executive Officer, following the recent resignation of Mike Poth, who served as CEO since 2015.
Parkinson joined the FirstNet Authority in 2013, after working on the House Homeland Security Committee for then Chairman Peter T. King. During his time with the committee, he drafted the initial bill that began the effort to create FirstNet. Ed was one of the first employees to join the FirstNet Authority, and served in a variety of leadership positions within the organization, most recently as the Executive Director of External Affairs. Ed led the organization’s outreach efforts that resulted in all 56 states and territories choosing to opt-into the FirstNet Network.
The National Association of Tower Erectors praised the move, saying the association has worked with Parkinson for more than four years. “Ed understands the critical role wireless infrastructure and the industry’s technician workforce will play in the FirstNet build-out and is a great leader to hand the baton in order to ensure the network’s ultimate success,” stated Executive Director Todd Schlekeway.
October 2, 2018
