Peter Dengate-Thrush elected Chairman of ICANN

I’m just heard the news and am incredibly pleased that Peter Dengate-Thrush has been elected to replace Vint Cerf as Chairman of ICANN – the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Number, which oversees primarily the domain name system which is so integral to the Internet.

Peter is a Wellington lawyer, and a former President of InternetNZ.  To say he has big shoes to fill is an under-statement.  Vint Cerf quite literally co-created the Internet, or at least the main protocol it runs on.

Peter’s election by his fellow board members is a tremendous recognition of his skills and all the hard work he has put into ICANN.  ICANN is a very imperfect beast, often (rightfully) criticised.  Peter has been a long standing “constructive critic” – standing up to ICANN when they are wrong, but helping ICANN to improve things.

ICANN is seen by some as too controlled by the US Government.  Having a New Zealander as its Chair will help with its international acceptability.  Incidentially the CEO is an Australian.

InternetNZ will be delighted to have one of its own, take the Chair – especially in the same week InternetNZ and ICANN finally reached their own agreement with regards to InternetNZ’s management of the .nz top level domain. We supported Peter when he stood for election to the Board three years ago, and while not having a vote in this election, have been quietly supportive and hoping he would win the election for Chair – not just because he is a Kiwi, but because he shares our values of being focused on registrants rights, openess, transparency and good governance.

The only sadness with Peter’s election, is a reminder that his wife Liz isn’t here to see him get elected.  Peter’s wife, father and brother were all killed in an car crash last year.  Liz had a few weeks earlier organised Peter’s 50th birthday party and it was stunningly clear how much they loved and were proud of each other.  If Liz were alive today I think she would be the proudest person alive.