Outlook Series | ICANN: Rod Beckstrom is CEO

ICANN: Rod Beckstrom is CEO

29 June 2009

Rod Beckstrom has been selected as the new Chief Executive Officer and President of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

"Rod Beckstrom has exactly the sort of strong personal and technical background that ICANN needs, as we enter a period of unprecedented growth and change for the Internet," said ICANN's Board Chairman Peter Dengate Thrush, in announcing the appointment. "In addition to his cyber security expertise, he's been a successful CEO of a global enterprise, done NGO work and volunteer work and a bestselling author. It's an extreme understatement to say we are enthused."

Beckstrom is the former Director of the U.S. National Cybersecurity Center (NCSC), where he formed an effective working group of leaders from the nation's top six cybersecurity centers spanning the civilian, military and intelligence communities.

The announcement of Beckstrom's selection as CEO occurred at the conclusion of ICANN's 35th international meeting in Sydney, Australia.

"The importance of the Internet as a free flowing source of information is being underscored right now by the events in Iran," said Beckstrom. "It shows the power of human expression through a free and open Net."

Beckstrom's international perspectives and expertise in organizational analysis frame much of the praise surrounding his appointment as ICANN CEO:

"Rod's extensive technical and commercial expertise is world class, and I can think of no one better positioned to lead ICANN's critical mission as the Internet's role in society continues to increase in scope and importance." – Eric Schmidt, Google Chairman and CEO.
"Rod Beckstrom is strikingly well-prepared to undertake a new role as CEO of ICANN. His experience in industry and government equip him for this global and very challenging job." – Vint Cerf, considered the "Father" of the Internet.
"I am pleased that ICANN elected Rod Beckstrom to serve as its next CEO, and look forward to working with him in the years to come. He is an intelligent and thoughtful individual who will provide the right kind of leadership for the organization." – Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, Chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee.
"I can think of no one more prepared to take this role on than Rod Beckstrom." – David Dorman, Chairman of Motorola Inc.
"Rod has thought deeply about organizations and the Internet. He will bring experience, energy and ideas to a job at the center of the digital revolution." – James Lewis, Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC.
"Rod Beckstrom is an outstanding choice to head ICANN. He understands people, institutions, and technology. He can bring constituencies together and has inspired important collaborations around the world. He recognizes both the potential and the challenges for ICANN. And has stood up for the civil liberties of Internet users with courage and foresight." – Marc Rotenberg, Executive Director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC)
"Rod Beckstrom's unique blend of experience as a high-tech entrepreneur, public servant and leading international thinker are just what ICANN needs as it enters the next phase of its development. VeriSign looks forward to working with Mr. Beckstrom and his staff as they tackle the issues critical to the Internet community and Internet users." – Mark McLaughlin, President and Chief Operating Officer of VeriSign.
"I'd liked to extend my congratulations to Mr. Beckstrom for his appointment as President and CEO of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). His background as an Internet entrepreneur and in cyber security will be an asset for ICANN as it continues to promote competition and enhance the stability and security of the global Internet. I look forward to working with him, as we continue our efforts to make ICANN a more stable, accountable, transparent, and, most importantly, fully independent global organization." – U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine).

Beckstrom has been an active participant in the non-profit arena, serving on the board of trustees of the Environmental Defense Fund and the Jamii Bora Trust, a micro-lending group based in Nairobi, Kenya with more than 210,000 members.

A co-author of four books, Beckstrom's most recent, The Starfish and the Spider: The Unstoppable Power of Leaderless Organizations, details how diverse and untraditional organizations, can become virtually selfperpetuating, regardless of the status of their respective leadership.

"The Internet has changed the way the world communicates and conducts commerce," said Beckstrom. "And in no small way, this multi-stakeholder, bottom-up organization has been and will continue to be at the core of the Internet's on-going evolution. Quite simply, the proof that ICANN works, is that the Internet works."