auDA CEO elected to ICANN Board

Posted by Janelle Backman on 8 November 2010

.au Domain Administration (auDA) is proud to announce the election of its CEO, Chris Disspain, to the Board of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

ICANN is the global manager of critical Internet naming and numbering resources. It oversees the operation of the Internet’s Domain Name System, which facilitates access for billions of users every day.  It is a not-for-profit, multi-stakeholder body that draws together governments, businesses and end users to develop policies to ensure the open, stable and secure operation of the Internet.

The ICANN Board has 15 Directors, some elected by ICANN’s Supporting Organisations and Advisory Committees and others independently selected via Nominating Committee.

Mr Disspain has been Chair of ICANN’s Country Code Names Supporting Organisation (ccNSO) since its formation in 2003. The ccNSO represents the interests of, and sets global policy and best practice for, country code top level domains such as .au, .uk and .de.

Mr Disspain was elected unopposed by the ccNSO to fill the seat currently held by ICANN Chairman, Mr Peter Dengate-Thrush and will join fellow ccNSO appointee, Michael Silber (.za - South Africa). Fellow Australian, Dr Bruce Tonkin (Chief Strategy Officer - Melbourne IT), is also an ICANN Board member.

“I am honoured and humbled to receive this endorsement from my international colleagues,” said Mr Disspain. “I look forward to the challenge and opportunity of being on the ICANN Board”.

Senator Stephen Conroy acknowledged the importance of Mr Disspain’s election. “I’d like to congratulate Mr Disspain on his appointment to the Board of ICANN. Mr Disspain’s appointment is another example of Australia’s increased presence on the international telecommunications stage.”

auDA Chairman, the Hon Tony Staley, said: “It's great for Australia that Chris Disspain has been elected to the Board of such an internationally significant organisation. He brings skills which will be of enormous assistance to ICANN”.

Mr Disspain was appointed CEO of auDA in October 2000. He will take his seat on the ICANN Board in June 2011.

For more information contact:

Jenelle Backman (Public Affairs Officer)                      

Ph 03 8341 4111

Email: jenelle.backman@auda.org.au                          

Paul Szyndler (General Manager, Public Affairs)

Email: paul.szyndler@auda.org.au