FirstNet's 2 Top Board Officials, Credited With Turnaround, Are Leaving
The FirstNet board will have big leadership changes as FirstNet and AT&T continue the buildout of the national network for first responders. FirstNet said Monday that current Chairwoman Sue Swenson and Vice Chairman Jeff Johnson are leaving the board, even though both could have remained for another year. Both led FirstNet during some of its toughest days before the selection of AT&T last year.
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Swenson acknowledged at last week’s FirstNet meeting "things were a little bit of a mess" when she took over in 2014 (see 1808130063). The FirstNet board has 15 members, 12 of whom serve staggered three-year terms. Swenson is a longtime telecom industry executive whose former jobs included chief operating officer of T-Mobile USA, president of Leap Wireless and CEO of Cellular One. Johnson, CEO of the Western Fire Chiefs Association, is a former fire chief and longtime FirstNet advocate.
“FirstNet got off to a rocky start with leadership that was not used to, and had a hard time adapting to, operating a telecommunications startup as a federal entity -- not easy in anyone’s book,” said Jamie Barnett of Venable, former chief of the FCC Public Safety Bureau. Swenson's taking the job “was absolutely critical to the progress made to this point,” Barnett told us. “Her leadership, executive experience, political savvy in Washington and expertise in communications were essential.” Johnson “enjoys broad respect in the public safety community and in Washington,” Barnett said. “Both will be exceedingly hard to replace.”
"My only concern is the void that this leaves with FirstNet leadership," said Bay Area Regional Interoperable Communications Systems Authority General Manager Barry Fraser, who said the departures surprised him. "I hope Commerce can appoint replacements quickly during this key time in FirstNet’s development." The two "have worked uncountable hours to make FirstNet a success," and public safety "owes them a huge debt for their efforts," he said.
NTIA Administrator David Redl noted NTIA released a notice in April seeking board candidates. An NTIA official said last week 18 people applied for board slots and NTIA’s recommendations were sent recently to Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “The Department and FirstNet have identified talented, experienced candidates for the FirstNet board that will carry on Sue and Jeff’s good work,” Redl said in a news release Monday, predicting appointments "later this year.” Swenson said in the release that with FirstNet being built, "it seems like the right time to transition."
“FirstNet is here, and I’m confident that we wouldn’t have gotten to this point without Sue and Chief Johnson’s tireless efforts,” emailed Chris Sambar, senior vice president-AT&T/FirstNet. “Their unwavering vision, dedication to serving public safety and great leadership has set FirstNet on a course for success.”