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ICANN Appoints New Zealander to Replace Cerf

Will be first non- American to head the Internet regulatory body

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 3, 2007 3:01 PM CDT

(Newser) – ICANN, the independent organization managing the Internet, filled its leadership void today by appointing New Zealand’s Peter Dengate Thrush as chairman. He will be the first non-American to head the group, which took over regulation from the US government, and has often come under international fire. Dengate Thrush downplayed his nationality, according to PC World, focusing instead on the organization’s maturity.

Outgoing chairman Vint Cerf also hit this theme. “The point is, this is a highly resilient organization,” he said. Many, including CEO Paul Twomey, had worried about replacing Cerf, a respected internet pioneer who kept ICANN together when international pressure threatened to destroy it. Dengate Thrush has been with the organization since its inception, and has an impressive Internet resume.

Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers board member Peter Dengate Thrush is seen during the 30th International Public ICANN meeting in Los Angeles in this Oct. 29, 2007 file photo. The New Zealand lawyer, was elected unanimously on Nov. 2, 2007 as the new Chairman of the Board of...
Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers board member Peter Dengate Thrush is seen during the 30th International Public ICANN meeting in Los Angeles in this Oct. 29, 2007 file photo. The New...   (Associated Press)
People enter ICANN's public forum Thursday, March 29 2007, in Lisbon, Portugal. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)
People enter ICANN's public forum Thursday, March 29 2007, in Lisbon, Portugal. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)   (Associated Press)
ICANN Chair Vinton Cerf addresses members during the 30th International Public ICANN meeting in Los Angeles Monday, Oct. 29, 2007.  After fending off an international rebellion and planting the seeds for streamlining operations, Cerf is stepping down this week as chairman of the Internet Corporation of Assigned Names and Numbers....
ICANN Chair Vinton Cerf addresses members during the 30th International Public ICANN meeting in Los Angeles Monday, Oct. 29, 2007. After fending off an international rebellion and planting the seeds...   (Associated Press)
Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers board member Peter Dengate Thrush is seen during the 30th International Public ICANN meeting in Los Angeles Monday, Oct. 29, 2007. Dengate Thrush will replace Vint Cerf as head of the regulatory body. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes
Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers board member Peter Dengate Thrush is seen during the 30th International Public ICANN meeting in Los Angeles Monday, Oct. 29, 2007. Dengate Thrush will...   (Associated Press)
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