Twomey leaving ICANN

Stephen Withers
Tuesday, 03 March 2009 02:08

IT People - People

Paul Twomey has announced that he will not seek a renewal of his contract as president and CEO of ICANN.

ICANN - Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers - coordinates the use of IP addresses, domain names, protocol port and parameter numbers, and the DNS root name server system.

Twomey was appointed president and CEO in 2003 following a four-year stint as chairman of the ICANN Government Advisory Committee.

He previously best known as the CEO of Australia's National Office for the Information Economy and the federal government's special advisor for the information economy and technology.

Twomey announced his plans to leave ICANN at the organisation's international public meeting in Mexico City this week.

"Last year, I told the Board that I did not want to renew my contract as President and CEO for another 3 year term," said Twomey.

"While I am deeply and personally committed to ICANN and its success, I think this is the right time for me to move on to another leadership position in the private or international sectors."

It seems unlikely that Twomey will be studying the Internet job boards for that position. With his resume and reputation, it's a fair bet that headhunters will be doing all the work.

Internet heavyweights saluted Twomey's contribution to ICANN - see page 2.