The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and FirstNet today announced new personnel changes. The two agencies, which both fall under the Commerce Department’s purview, announced that Edward Horowitz was reappointed to the FirstNet Board and was named board chair for a two-year term by Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. FirstNet also announced that its CEO Mike Poth has accepted a role in the private sector and will leave his post at the end of this month. While no successor has been appointed, the agency said it is in the process of beginning the search for a new CEO and is also looking to appoint an acting CEO in the short term. Today’s news followed an announcement in August that Sue Swenson was stepping down as chair of the FirstNet board, and Jeffrey Johnson was resigning as vice chair. More personnel changes are coming, though. After Horowitz’s reappointment, there are still six seats to fill on the FirstNet Board. Neil E. Cox, Kevin McGinnis and Annise D. Parker, whose terms expired last month, have agreed to extend their terms. Announcements on new members will be forthcoming, according to a statement.
