The 9-1-1 Association appoints John Provenzano—who most recently headed government relations and communications for a supermarket chain—as the organization’s new CEO effective July 14, succeeding longtime leader Brian Fontes in the position
By Donny Jackson, Editor
The 9-1-1 Association has announced that John Provenzano—who most recently headed government relations and communications for a supermarket chain—as the organization’s new CEO, succeeding longtime leader Brian Fontes in the position.
Provenzano, who has as “more than 25 years of professional experience in corporate and association management” in a variety of industries, will become the NENA CEO effective July 14, according to a NENA press release. The appointment was announced Sunday at the start of the NENA 2025 Conference & Expo being conducted this week in Long Beach, Calif.
“We are thrilled to welcome John to the NENA team,” NENA President Melanie Jones said in a prepared statement. “At a time of tremendous change and opportunity in our industry—from the rollout of next-generation 911 to the growing demands on emergency-communications personnel—John’s management experience and passion for public affairs will guide NENA into its next era of impact.”
NENA Past President Charles Cullen—the head of the search committee for NENA—echoed this sentiment.
“Our community will benefit in so many ways from having John at the helm,” Cullen said in a prepared statement.
Provenzano expressed optimism about his new job.
“I am honored to join NENA at such a pivotal time,” Provenzano said in a prepared statement. “I look forward to working alongside our members, partners, and stakeholders to support 9-1-1 professionals and ensure our nation’s emergency communications systems are strong, resilient, and future-ready.”
Most recently, Provenzano served as the vice president of public affairs for Publix Super Markets, according to the NENA press release. After starting his career as a legislative assistant and operations director in the US Senate, Provenzano has worked as executive director of the National Association of State Treasurers and has served in “leadership roles” at Delta Air Lines, Rockwell Collins, and the Aerospace Industries Association, according to the press release.
Provenzano will succeed longtime NENA CEO Brian Fontes, who late last year announced his plans to step down as head of the organization he has led since 2008.
While Fontes has been CEO, NENA’s membership has grown by almost 400 per cent, the organization has expanded its training and certification offerings, and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved NENA’s i3 standard to support next-generation 911 (NG911), according to the press release.
Fontes will be honored for his service during an event later that will be scheduled for later this year, according to the NENA press release.
