ICANN names VPs for Latin America, Europe

Coordinating organisation for the global Internet community, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has appointed two new Vice Presidents for Latin America and Europe respectively.

A renowned Mexican telecommunications and Internet expert, Mr. Rodrigo de la Parra was appointed the ICANN’s Vice President for Latin America, equally experienced governmental and regulatory expert, Mr. Nigel Hickson emerged the Vice President for Europe at ICANN.

Director of Global Media Affairs, ICANN, Mr. Brad White, confirming this said that both were selected after undergoing relevant screening to help build ICANN into its future.

He also said that Rodrigo was previously Regional Liaison for Latin America, a role in which he excelled.

Rodrigo, he said was also the Mexican representative to ICANN’s Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC), which gives governments a voice in the organization’s policy formation and equally serve as a member of the Consultative Committee of Network Information Center Mexico, managers of Mexico’s country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) name NIC.mx.

Mr. White noted that Rodrigo has a Master’s degree in political economy and international relations from the University of Essex in the United Kingdom (UK).

Further, Rodrigo lectures at International Organizations and Economic Negotiations and a consultant to the Latin American Cooperation for Advanced Networks (CLARA).

On the other hand, Mr. White stated that the highly-experienced governmental and regulatory expert Nigel Hickson was appointed ICANN’s Vice President for Europe.

With over thirty year period, he noted that Nigel has held various technology related posts with the governments of the United Kingdom and Bermuda, as well as positions with public sector bodies.

Before joining ICANN, Nigel headed teams at both UK’s Department of Culture, Media and Sport and Department of Business, Innovation and Skills on global ICT policy and regulatory issues.

And most recently, Nigel worked on the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary and the European Union (EU) Communications and Spectrum Framework, even as he represented the UK Government at the Internet discussions of the G8.

Nigel was educated in Hertfordshire, England, and holds a degree in Electronic and Electrical Engineering from the City University in London.

In his remarks over the VPs appointment, ICANN president, Mr. Rod Beckstrom, described Rodrigo’s appointment as “an important development for ICANN and the Latin American region.”

“During his tenure as Regional Liaison for Latin America, Rodrigo has astutely managed ICANN’s relations with the Internet technical community in Latin America and effectively engaged with user groups, governments and regional organizations,” Beckstrom said adding that Rodrigo is perfectly suited for his new role as Vice President for Latin America.

Equally commenting on Nigel’s appointment, Mr. Beckstrom said, ICANN is pleased to have an experienced professional with vast expertise in technology policy development in Europe and beyond on board its executive board.

“In addition to Nigel Hickson’s governmental expertise, he also has significant experience in European Union policy development,” Beckstrom observed.

Remmy Nweke

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