Ed Parkinson today was named by the FirstNet Authority Board as executive director—operationally, the chief executive officer (CEO)—for the FirstNet Authority, becoming the organization’s third full-time staff leader and its first in more than 17 months.
FirstNet Authority Board Chair Ed Horowitz said that Parkinson was selected at the conclusion of a “comprehensive and thorough search” to lead the FirstNet Authority staff. Parkinson has been serving as the FirstNet Authority’s executive director for external affairs while splitting the FirstNet Authority’s CEO functions with Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Jeff Bratcher since last May, which followed Parkinson’s seven-month stint as acting CEO.
“Ed’s leadership has been instrumental to the success of FirstNet, and he brings a passion and vision for the job that will ensure the organization continues to deliver for our nation’s first responders,” Horowitz said in a prepared statement about Parkinson.