At its board meeting today at the Department of Commerce in Washington D.C., Sam Ginn, Chairman of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) board, announced that Bill D’Agostino, Jr. has been hired as its general manager, effective April 22, 2013. The Board chose a seasoned telecommunications executive with deep expertise in wireless voice and broadband networks, including LTE technology.
Bill D’Agostino is a telecommunications and wireless industry executive with 33 years’ experience designing, operating, and upgrading telecommunications networks. His most recent job was as executive director, Network, for Verizon Wireless in the Southern California area from 2008-2012. There, he was responsible for the design, construction and operation of Verizon Wireless system in that Southern California area. Prior to that, he has held executive positions including BCI Communications, Somera Communications, Mericom Corp., Sprint PCS, Airtouch Communications and Pacific Bell (18 years at PacBell in jobs ranging from repairman to construction manager). He has built networks both domestically and internationally, including projects in Spain, Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City and Southern California. He has been involved in deployment and operation of more than 10,000 wireless sites encompassing most major technologies including 700 MHz LTE network launches in the world. He is a graduate of St. Mary’s College in Moraga, CA with a BA in Business Management.
"I’m very pleased that Bill has joined FirstNet as our general manager," commented Chairman Ginn. "Bill has a proven track record as an effective and strategic telecommunications industry executive. He brings a customer-focused perspective that will serve us well as we develop plans for this dedicated public safety network."
"I am confident that Bill D’Agostino is the right choice as general manager of FirstNet," said FirstNet Board member Chuck Dowd, deputy chief of the New York City Police Department. Dowd served on the General Manager selection working group. "Through the selection process his selflessness and personal integrity were readily apparent. I’m convinced he is fully committed to public safety’s mission."
"I am honored to have the opportunity to lead this organization and work with the FirstNet Board as we set out to deliver the nation’s first responders with a communications platform that will enhance their ability to protect and serve the public," said D’Agostino. Later during the Board meeting, D’Agostino said he had already met with the Board and the technical team and was "impressed by the great work and progress that’s been made in such a short period of time." He noted that FirstNet had been already gathering critical input from the public safety community, as well as the state, local and tribal groups on what this network should look like and how it can meet their needs, and said "[b]ut we are just getting started. The law establishing FirstNet calls for a formal state consultancy process, and we’ll formally kick off that outreach in May." He said FirstNet will work in partnership with the National Governor’s Association to host regional meetings where they bring together policymakers representing a cross section of state, local and tribal governments. These meetings will run through June 2013.
D’Agostino also referenced the states that are gathering information under the State and Local Implementation Grant Program that will help FirstNet understand the unique needs of each state and territory. NTIA anticipates awarding the grants by mid-July to the states. He also mentioned the open vendor forums that the Public Safety Communications Research program will be hosting later in the year, which are being planned.
"[D]eveloping this nationwide network will require an unprecedented level of public-private partnership, collaboration and shared commitment that leverages existing infrastructure for the well-being of all Americans," said D’Agostino. "I look forward . . . to taking on this historical task."
With the hiring of the general manager, it is expected that he will move quickly to make permanent hires for the organization in the coming months. FirstNet Board members who have been serving in temporary operational roles will be stepping down as the permanent positions are filled. A challenge for FirstNet has been the time-consuming federal hiring process and salary levels, which are lower than the telecommunications private sector. The entity also faces close Congressional scrutiny.
Authorized by Congress last year, FirstNet will provide emergency responders with the first high speed, nationwide network dedicated to public safety. The broadband data network will be built using LTE, the most advanced wireless technology available at present. Overseen by representatives of public safety, government and the wireless industry, FirstNet is an independent entity within the US Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
