WASHINGTON, D.C.—Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D-Palo Alto), Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, released the following statement after the announcement of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) Board of Directors:

"Today's announcement is an important step toward deploying a nationwide, interoperable communications network for our first responders. The individuals selected to serve on the FirstNet Board bring decades of experience as public safety officials, former telecommunications executives as well as local and state government officials. I congratulate them on their selection and am confident that they'll bring the leadership needed to oversee the build-out, deployment, and operation of this network in a timely and efficient manner."

The 12 appointees announced today include:

• Tim Bryan, CEO, National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative
• Charles "Chuck" Dowd, Deputy Chief, New York City Police Department
• F. Craig Farrill, wireless telecommunications executive
• Paul Fitzgerald, Sheriff, Story County, Iowa
• Samuel "Sam" Ginn (Chairman), telecommunications executive
• Jeffrey Johnson, Fire Chief, retired; former Chair, State Interoperability Executive Council, State of Oregon; CEO Western Fire Chiefs Association
• William Keever, retired telecommunications executive
• Kevin McGinnis, Chief/CEO, North East Mobile Health Services
• Ed Reynolds, retired telecommunications executive
• Susan Swenson, telecommunications/technology executive
• Teri Takai, Government information technology expert; former CIO, States of Michigan and California; former President, National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO)
• Wellington Webb, Founder, Webb Group International; former Mayor of Denver, Colorado

FirstNet, authorized by Congress under Title VI of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, is an independent authority within the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration to deploy and manage the nation's first nationwide interoperable public safety broadband network. In addition to the 12 non-permanent appointments made today, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Attorney General and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget serve as permanent members of the Board. Additional information about FirstNet can be found at NTIA's website.

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