Washington, DC – Today, the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) announced the restructuring of its senior management positions by creating the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and President titles. Technology executive and former public safety professional Michael Poth has been appointed the new CEO of FirstNet, and TJ Kennedy, who had been serving as the Acting Executive Director, has been promoted to President. Poth and Kennedy made their first public appearances in their new roles at APCO’s 2015 Conference and Expo.

APCO President John Wright said, “We offer our sincere congratulations to Mr. Poth and Mr. Kennedy.  We look forward to working with Mr. Poth and welcome him to the team. His experience in technology and public safety, including leadership of a regional 9-1-1 center, will no doubt prove critical as FirstNet enters this important phase of the RFP process.”  President Wright continued, “We also look forward to continuing to work with TJ Kennedy.  His dedication and exemplary service as the Acting Executive Director ensured that FirstNet made meaningful progress toward deploying the nationwide public safety broadband network.”

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APCO International is the world’s oldest and largest organization of public safety communications professionals and supports the largest U.S. membership base of any public safety association. It serves the needs of public safety communications practitioners worldwide – and the welfare of the general public as a whole – by providing complete expertise, professional development, technical assistance, advocacy and outreach.