SYDNEY, June 26 /PRNewswire/ --

- Rod Beckstrom is Global Entrepreneur, Analyst and Author

Internet founders and leaders are joining industry executives and
government officials in praising the selection of Rod Beckstrom as the new
Chief Executive Officer and President of the Internet Corporation for
Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090626/DC38669 )

"Rod Beckstrom has exactly the sort of strong personal and technical
background that ICANN needs, as we enter a period of unprecedented growth and
change for the Internet," said ICANN's Board Chairman Peter Dengate Thrush,
in announcing the appointment. "In addition to his cyber security expertise,
he's been a successful CEO of a global enterprise, done NGO work and
volunteer work and a bestselling author. It's an extreme understatement to
say we are enthused."

Beckstrom is the former Director of the U.S. National Cybersecurity
Center (NCSC), where he formed an effective working group of leaders from the
nation's top six cybersecurity centers spanning the civilian, military and
intelligence communities.

The announcement of Beckstrom's selection as CEO occurred at the
conclusion of ICANN's 35th international meeting in Sydney, Australia.

"The importance of the Internet as a free flowing source of information
is being underscored right now by the events in Iran," said Beckstrom. "It
shows the power of human expression through a free and open Net."

Beckstrom's international perspectives and expertise in organizational
analysis frame much of the praise surrounding his appointment as ICANN CEO:

- "Rod's extensive technical and commercial expertise is world class, and
      I can think of no one better positioned to lead ICANN's critical
      mission as the Internet's role in society continues to increase in scope
      and importance." Eric Schmidt, Google Chairman and CEO.

    - "Rod Beckstrom is strikingly well-prepared to undertake a new role as
      CEO of ICANN. His experience in industry and government equip him for
      this global and very challenging job," - Vint Cerf, considered the
      "Father" of the Internet.

    - "I am pleased that ICANN elected Rod Beckstrom to serve as its next
      CEO, and look forward to working with him in the years to come. He is an
      intelligent and thoughtful individual who will provide the right kind of
      leadership for the organization." - Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, Chairman of
      the U.S. House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee.

    - "I can think of no one more prepared to take this role on than Rod
      Beckstrom." - David Dorman, Chairman of Motorola Inc.

    - "Rod has thought deeply about organizations and the Internet. He will
      bring experience, energy and ideas to a job at the center of the digital
      revolution." - James Lewis, Center for Strategic and International
      Studies in Washington, DC.

    - "Rod Beckstrom is an outstanding choice to head ICANN. He understands
      people, institutions, and technology. He can bring constituencies
      together and has inspired important collaborations around the world. He
      recognizes both the potential and the challenges for ICANN. And has
      stood up for the civil liberties of Internet users with courage and
      foresight." - Marc Rotenberg, Executive Director of the Electronic
      Privacy Information Center (EPIC)

    - "Rod Beckstrom's unique blend of experience as a high-tech
      entrepreneur, public servant and leading international thinker are just
      what ICANN needs as it enters the next phase of its development.
      VeriSign looks forward to working with Mr. Beckstrom and his staff as
      they tackle the issues critical to the Internet community and Internet
      users." - Mark McLaughlin, President and Chief Operating Officer of
      VeriSign.

    - "I'd liked to extend my congratulations to Mr. Beckstrom for his
      appointment as President and CEO of the Internet Corporation for
      Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). His background as an Internet
      entrepreneur and in cyber security will be an asset for ICANN as it
      continues to promote competition and enhance the stability and security
      of the global Internet. I look forward to working with him, as we
      continue our efforts to make ICANN a more stable, accountable,
      transparent, and, most importantly, fully independent global
      organization." - U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine).



Beckstrom has been an active participant in the non-profit arena, serving
on the board of trustees of the Environmental Defense Fund and the Jamii Bora
Trust, a micro-lending group based in Nairobi, Kenya with more than 210,000
members.

A co-author of four books, Beckstrom's most recent, The Starfish and the
Spider: The Unstoppable Power of Leaderless Organizations, details how
diverse and untraditional organizations, can become virtually
self-perpetuating, regardless of the status of their respective leadership.

"The Internet has changed the way the world communicates and conducts
commerce," said Beckstrom. "And in no small way, this multi-stakeholder,
bottom-up organization has been and will continue to be at the core of the
Internet's on-going evolution. Quite simply, the proof that ICANN works, is
that the Internet works."

About ICANN:

To reach another person on the Internet you have to type an address into
your computer - a name or a number. That address has to be unique so
computers know where to find each other. ICANN coordinates these unique
identifiers across the world. Without that coordination we wouldn't have one
global Internet. ICANN was formed in 1998. It is a not-for-profit
public-benefit corporation with participants from all over the world
dedicated to keeping the Internet secure, stable and interoperable. It
promotes competition and develops policy on the Internet's unique
identifiers. ICANN doesn't control content on the Internet. It cannot stop
spam and it doesn't deal with access to the Internet. But through its
coordination role of the Internet's naming system, it does have an important
impact on the expansion and evolution of the Internet. For more information
please visit: www.icann.org.