Affiliation: Bahamas Power and Light
Candidate Questionnaire
1. Public Contact Information:
a) Please provide one URL to an online location (LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.) where community members can dialogue with you. [Optional.]
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendrick-knowles-jr-ccdp-ccnp-pmp-11bb4530
b) Please identify your organizational affiliations. Note that Advisory Council (AC) members serve as individuals required to take ARIN’s best interests into account—not those of the organizations with which they are affiliated.
Bahamas Power and Light, Providence Technology Group, ISOC, Bahamas IT Professionals Association.
2. Relevant Biography:
a) Please describe your relevant professional experience and expertise and explain how this background will make you an effective AC member.
I bring more than 20 years of experience in information technology, networking, Internet infrastructure, telecommunications, and cybersecurity. I currently serve as Chief Information Officer (CIO) of Bahamas Power and Light, where I am responsible for the strategic direction, modernization, security, and operation of the technology systems supporting one of the Caribbean’s most critical infrastructure organizations. My experience spans enterprise networking, Internet routing, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, digital transformation, governance, and the operation of highly available mission-critical systems.
I hold over a dozen professional certifications across networking, project management, and information technology disciplines, including CCNP, CCDP, CCDA, and PMP. Throughout my career, I have worked extensively with Internet number resources, BGP routing, multi-homing, routing security, network resiliency, and Internet infrastructure design. Through my consulting practice, I have advised organizations throughout the Caribbean on obtaining and managing ARIN resources, implementing BGP and RPKI, strengthening routing security, and improving the resilience and reliability of their networks.
I was elected to the ARIN Advisory Council in 2022, becoming the first Bahamian to serve in this role. During my tenure on the Advisory Council, I have actively participated in policy discussions, evaluated policy proposals, engaged with members of the ARIN community, and contributed to the Policy Development Process. This experience has provided me with a deep understanding of the operational, technical, and strategic considerations involved in Internet number resource policy and the importance of balancing the needs of diverse stakeholders across the ARIN region.
My current role as CIO provides an even broader perspective on the importance of secure, reliable, and resilient Internet infrastructure. It also affords me greater capacity to serve effectively on the Advisory Council than my previous role, allowing me to engage more deeply in Internet governance, policy, and infrastructure issues while bringing an executive-level perspective on how ARIN policies affect critical infrastructure operators, enterprises, governments, service providers, and end users.
In addition to my technical and leadership experience, I have a long history of service to professional and community organizations. I am a former President of the Bahamas Chess Federation, a Distinguished Toastmaster, a six-time Bahamas National Chess Champion, and a frequent speaker on technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and Internet governance topics. These experiences have strengthened my ability to build consensus, communicate complex technical issues clearly, and work collaboratively with diverse groups to achieve meaningful outcomes.
I believe effective policy development requires technical expertise, operational experience, strategic thinking, and a commitment to community engagement. My combination of hands-on Internet infrastructure experience, executive leadership, policy development knowledge, and dedication to ARIN’s mission enables me to continue serving as an effective member of the Advisory Council and to contribute meaningfully to the continued stability, security, and growth of the Internet throughout the ARIN region.
b) Attach a resume, curriculum vitae, or other biography highlighting your experience most relevant to the duties of the AC. (PDF, DOC, DOCX files only)Remove any personal contact information (postal address, email, and/or phone number) from your resume/CV, as it will be posted publicly as part of the candidate information.
https://arin-elections.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/knowles-resume.pdf
c) Optionally, you may also include additional web links to external websites (e.g., social media), though not as a substitute for your biography.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendrick-knowles-jr-ccdp-ccnp-pmp-11bb4530
3. Eligibility:
a) Please disclose any conflicts of interest you may have, real or perceived, that would impact your ability to perform your duty as a member of ARIN’s Advisory Council. How do you propose to resolve any such conflicts?
At this time, I am not aware of any actual conflicts of interest that would impair my ability to serve as a member of the ARIN Advisory Council.
b) Are you currently eligible to serve on the Advisory Council, according to the Conflicts of Interest Policy?
Yes
c) If not currently eligible, how will you become eligible to serve if elected (e.g.. “If elected, I will resign from the position of ______ before 31 Dec 2026”). If not applicable, simply enter “N/A”
N/A
d) Describe any limitations on your ability to: attend AC and Public Policy Meetings in person; or serve all of the elected term.
None.
4. Nominee Information
a) Have you attended ARIN meetings or otherwise participated in ARIN activities in the past? What did you find the most rewarding from those meetings or activities? What suggestions for improvement do you have?
Yes. Since being elected to the ARIN Advisory Council in 2022, I have actively participated in ARIN meetings, Advisory Council activities, policy discussions, and community engagement efforts. These experiences have provided valuable opportunities to collaborate with network operators, Internet service providers, enterprise organizations, government representatives, and other stakeholders from across the ARIN region.
What I have found most rewarding is the open and collaborative nature of the Policy Development Process. ARIN’s ability to bring together individuals with diverse technical, operational, and business perspectives to develop community-driven policy is one of its greatest strengths. I have particularly enjoyed working with fellow Advisory Council members and community participants to evaluate proposals, build consensus, and ensure that policies are both technically sound and operationally practical. As someone representing both the Caribbean and critical infrastructure sectors, I have also valued the opportunity to bring perspectives that may otherwise be underrepresented in policy discussions.
Another rewarding aspect has been helping to increase awareness and participation from the Caribbean region. As the first Bahamian elected to the Advisory Council, I have sought to encourage greater engagement from Caribbean operators and organizations in ARIN’s processes and discussions, helping to strengthen the diversity of viewpoints represented within the community.
One area where ARIN can continue to improve is expanding outreach and engagement with underrepresented parts of the region, particularly smaller economies, critical infrastructure operators, educational institutions, and emerging network operators. While ARIN has made significant progress in virtual participation and remote engagement, there remains an opportunity to further increase awareness of ARIN’s services, policy process, and governance activities among organizations that may not traditionally participate. Continued investment in outreach, mentorship, and educational initiatives can help broaden participation and ensure that policy development reflects the needs of the entire ARIN community.
Overall, my experience with ARIN has been extremely positive, and I remain committed to supporting an open, transparent, and community-driven policy development process that serves the long-term interests of the Internet throughout the ARIN region.
b) What areas of Internet number resource policy, if any, need more attention by ARIN, and why?
routing security deserves continued attention, particularly around RPKI, ROAs, route origin validation, and broader routing hygiene. Internet number resource policy plays an important role in encouraging accurate registry data and supporting a more secure global routing system. As routing incidents, misconfigurations, and hijacks continue to affect networks of all sizes, ARIN should continue supporting policies and community education that improve trust, accuracy, and security in Internet routing.
ARIN should continue to examine how its policies affect smaller organizations, new entrants, Caribbean operators, critical infrastructure providers, and organizations in underserved parts of the region.
c) Aside from the professional experience and expertise detailed above, describe any other specific skills, background, and/or areas of expertise you believe will assist the Advisory Council in carrying out its duties.
In addition to my technical and professional experience, I bring a diverse combination of leadership, governance, communication, and consensus-building skills that I believe are valuable to the Advisory Council.
Throughout my career, I have served in leadership positions within both professional and volunteer organizations, including as President of the Bahamas Chess Federation and as a Distinguished Toastmaster. These experiences have strengthened my ability to facilitate discussions, evaluate differing viewpoints, build consensus, and make balanced decisions in environments where stakeholders may have competing interests. These are skills that directly complement the Advisory Council’s role in evaluating policy proposals and guiding community-driven policy development.
As a six-time Bahamas National Chess Champion, I have developed strong analytical and strategic thinking abilities, including the capacity to assess complex situations, anticipate long-term implications, and evaluate multiple potential outcomes before making decisions. These skills have proven valuable throughout my career and are equally applicable to Internet number resource policy, where decisions often have long-term operational and strategic consequences for the broader Internet community.
I also bring significant public speaking, community engagement, and educational experience. I regularly speak on topics including Internet infrastructure, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and technology leadership, and I have worked to promote greater awareness of Internet governance and ARIN participation throughout the Caribbean. As the first Bahamian elected to the ARIN Advisory Council, I have sought to serve as a bridge between ARIN and parts of the region that have historically had lower levels of participation in ARIN activities.
Finally, my current role as CIO of a national utility provides me with a unique perspective on the intersection of Internet infrastructure, critical infrastructure operations, cybersecurity, resilience, and public service. As utilities, governments, financial institutions, and other essential service providers become increasingly dependent on Internet-based technologies, I believe this perspective can contribute meaningfully to policy discussions affecting the long-term stability and security of the Internet.
I believe that effective Advisory Council members must not only understand the technical aspects of Internet number resource policy, but also be able to communicate effectively, consider diverse viewpoints, build consensus, and understand the real-world operational impact of policy decisions. My leadership experience, strategic mindset, communication skills, and commitment to community engagement complement my technical expertise and will continue to help me contribute effectively to the Advisory Council.