FirstNet Authority CEO Joe Wassel this week received thanks for his work as a “retiring” person from the government organization that oversees the nationwide public-safety broadband network (NPSBN), but the FirstNet Authority has not acknowledged publicly that Wassel has—or will be—stepping down from his post
By Donny Jackson, Editor
In an odd twist, FirstNet Authority CEO Joe Wassel this week received thanks for his work as a “retiring” person from the government organization that oversees the nationwide public-safety broadband network (NPSBN), but the FirstNet Authority has not acknowledged publicly that Wassel has—or will be—stepping down from his post.
Wassel’s future has been the subject of speculation for some time, but the first public statement on the matter was issued this week in a press release that included logos for the Public Safety Broadband Technology Association (PSBTA) and the Public Safety Spectrum Alliance (PSSA). PSBTA posted this press release on its X account on Wednesday, although the press release is dated April 22, which was Tuesday.
PSSA spokesman Jeff Johnson—a former longtime FirstNet Authority vice chair—is listed as the media contact on the press release, which largely included quotes from himself.
“On behalf of the Public Safety Spectrum Alliance (PSSA), we thank retiring CEO Joe Wassel for his leadership during a significant phase in FirstNet’s evolution and expansion,” Johnson is quoted as saying in the press release. “Under his guidance, FirstNet completed its initial network buildout, advanced its transition to 5G, and significantly expanded nationwide coverage.
“Joe laid a strong foundation for FirstNet’s next phase, charting a course for continued innovation and growth.”
Wassel last month completed his second year as leader of the FirstNet Authority staff, having been appointed as executive director and CEO of the organization in March 2023.
Johnson acknowledged the progress that FirstNet—the NPSBN built and maintained by contractor AT&T, under a 25-year agreement with the FirstNet Authority—has made during Wassel’s tenure.
“Joe’s achievements—most notably, securing thousands of new FirstNet cell sites nationwide, including 1,000 new sites by the end of this year—position FirstNet for sustained success, empowering America’s first responders to help protect their communities and fulfill their critical public-safety missions,” Johnson was quoted in the press release as saying.
The final paragraph of the press release is not a Johnson quote, but it includes information about the process to find a successor to Wassel.
“We appreciate Joe’s commitment to keeping FirstNet at the forefront of public-safety technology, and we wish him the very best in his next chapter,” according to the last paragraph of the press release. “The FirstNet Authority Board is conducting a search for a new executive director to lead the organization into its next phase of growth, while remaining steadfastly committed to public safety.”
Although the headline for the PSBTA/PSSA press release states “The FirstNet Authority Announces Leadership Changes,” no announcement has been posted on the FirstNet Authority website, as of the time this article was posted. In response to inquiries from IWCE’s Urgent Communications this week, a FirstNet Authority spokesperson said the organization does not have a statement about the matter, as of the time that this article was posted.
IWCE’s Urgent Communications also asked whether Wassel is still the FirstNet Authority CEO as of this article being posted on Wednesday night. The FirstNet Authority did not provide a response to this question in time to be included in this article.
Any responses from the FirstNet Authority—or Wassel—will be added to this story, when available.
For the FirstNet Authority, a departure by Wassel would mark another shakeup for the organization, which has experienced significant leadership changes—at the board level—during the past seven months.
Less than a week before the 2024 presidential election, the Biden administration appointed seven new members to the FirstNet Authority board. Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms was among the newcomers and was named board chair, but she resigned the position effective the eve of President Donald Trumps inauguration in January.
