The E911 world witnessed some important changes this week on a national level: The Next Generation 9-1-1 Institute, otherwise known as the “NG9-1-1” or the “E9-1-1 Institute,” has issued the results of its 2012 election for six seats on its Board of Directors.

Initially formed in 2003 as the joint venture of then Senators Conrad Burns, Hillary Clinton, John Shimkus, and Anna Eshoo, according to the Institute’s website, the group was established in order to provide education to legislative decision-makers and the public about the need for improving nationwide emergency response systems.

The newly-elected members include John Chiaramonte, lead associate, Booz Allen Hamilton (News - Alert), Jerry Eisner, group director of Public Safety for RedSky Technologies, Woody Glover, director, St. Tammany Parish Communications District, Todd Piett, chief product officer, Rave Mobile Safety/Smart911, Art Prest, managing director, Art Prest & Associates, and Alisa Simmons, marketing and communications manager for Tarrant County 9-1-1 District.

In their respective positions, these new members will join the directors on the NG9-1-1 board to improve communications and public awareness of E911 developments. Gregory Rohde, executive director of the NG9-1-1 Institute stated, “The NG9-1-1 Institute Board of Directors reflects a broad diversity of stakeholders in the emergency communications sector.  This diversity is what strengthens our organization to play an import role to advance emergency communications issues at the national level.”

Part of the NG9-1-1 Institute’s work is to expedite the transition to next-generation 9-1-1 processes for regions around the country, while supporting the mission of the Congressional NG9-1-1 Caucus. Recently, the Institute successfully had an amendment adopted to the JOBS Act that is currently in Congress which would provide $250 million for funding NG9-1-1 advancements, training, and research.

With over 1500 members across the country, the NG9-1-1 Institute continues to make improvements to the E911 industry, and its newly-elected board members are sure to bolster the group’s mission in progress.

Want to learn more about the latest in communications and technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO East 2012, taking place Jan. 31-Feb. 3 2012, in Miami, FL. ITEXPO (News - Alert) offers an educational program to help corporate decision makers select the right IP-based voice, video, fax and unified communications solutions to improve their operations. It's also where service providers learn how to profitably roll out the services their subscribers are clamoring for – and where resellers can learn about new growth opportunities. To register, click here.

Stay in touch with everything happening at ITEXPO. Follow us on Twitter.

Juliana Kenny graduated from the University of Connecticut with a double degree in English and French. After managing a small company for two years, she joined TMC (News - Alert) as a Web Editor for TMCnet. Juliana currently focuses on the call center and CRM industries, but she also writes about cloud telephony and network gear including softswitches.

Edited by Stefanie Mosca