Sheriff Michael Adkinson to serve as acting chair for the FirstNet Authority board after Renee Gordon’s departure at the conclusion of her three-year term
By Donny Jackson, Editor, Urgent Communications
Former FirstNet Authority board Vice Chair Renee Gordon—who served as acting chair for most of this year—departed the board after the conclusion of her three-year term, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced last week.
Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Arielle Roth applauded Gordon’s work in the 911 sector—she currently is the director of emergency and customer communications with the City of Alexandria, Va.—and as a member of the FirstNet Authority board.
“As a member of the public-safety community and nationally recognized 911 leader, Director Gordon provided important insights and contributions to the FirstNet Authority,” Roth said in a prepared statement. “NTIA thanks Director Gordon for her service, leadership and dedication to the FirstNet Authority board.”
FirstNet Authority CEO and Executive Director Mike Cannon echoed this sentiment.
“On behalf of the FirstNet Authority, I would like to thank Renee Gordon for her commitment and service during her tenure on the board,” Cannon said in a prepared statement. “Renee served in leadership roles on the board during a critical time for our organization. Her expertise and dedication to public safety have been invaluable in our efforts to enhance the FirstNet network for our nation’s first responders.”
Gordon was named vice chair of the FirstNet Authority two years ago and was the only member of the board that did not have to be reappointed or selected new when the FirstNet Authority board was revamped by the administration of then-President Joe Biden shortly before last year’s presidential election.
One of the new appointees was former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who was named as chair of the FirstNet Authority board. But Bottoms tenure in this position did not last three months, as she resigned in January prior to the inauguration of President Donald Trump.
Since then, Gordon served at acting chair of the FirstNet Authority until her departure last week. FirstNet Authority board Acting Vice Chair Michael A. Adkinson, Jr.—sheriff of Walton County, Fla.—will perform the duties of the acting board chair, according to the NTIA press release.
