Photo of Hank Kilmer

Kilmer, Henry “Hank”

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6

Statements of Support.

Affiliation: Cogent Communication, Inc.

Candidate Assessment: Well Qualified

Candidate Questionnaire

1. ARIN Board of Trustees Qualifications and Responsibilities:

Please review the ARIN Board of Trustees Expected Qualifications and Responsibilities thoroughly.

Please describe, providing specific details, any barriers you foresee to your fully meeting those qualifications and undertaking those responsibilities. Trustees’ responsibilities have usually require about 5-10 hours per week.

I do not foresee any issues meeting the qualifications. I have been able to do so for my first term on the board.

2. Conflicts of Interest

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 the ARIN Board of Trustees. (If no conflicts, please enter “N/A”)

My employer is a large legacy IP address holder and not under any RSA with ARIN. For the issues addressing this during my first term, I have properly recused myself. I do not see any conflicts of interest.

b) How do you propose to resolve any conflicts identified in (a)? (If no conflicts identified, please enter “N/A”)

Like anything that may arise, openly notify, discuss, and act appropriately.

c) Are you currently eligible to serve on the Board of Trustees according to the Conflict of Interest Requirements and the eligibility requirements?

Yes

d) If not currently eligible, describe how you will become eligible to serve, if elected (i.e., “If elected, I will resign from the position of ________ before 31 Dec 2025”). If currently eligible, please enter “N/A”.

N/A

3. Education:

a) Please list any educational degree(s) you received, the institution and the date issued.

Rutgers University B.A. Computer Science Jan 1991I

b) Please list any professional designations, certifications, or development education (non-degree) and the dates completed.

ICD – Rotman Governance Essentials Program Jan 2023

4. Employment and Experience:

a) Please provide the name of any company or organization you currently are employed by, or from which you receive directly or indirectly a material portion of your compensation. Please describe the business of each such entity, your current title, and the office address of the organization.

Cogent Communications, Inc. is a global Internet service provider and wavelength provider in North America. I am their Chief Network Officer.

b) Please refer to the ARIN Board of Trustees Guidance to the 2025 Nomination Committee in answering this question: Please describe your relevant professional experience and expertise and explain how this background will make you an effective Trustee.

I have been an executive of a public company for a long time. This gives insight into good corporate management. On the ARIN board, I have been vice-chair of both the finance committee and the risk and cyber security committee.

Attach a resume, curriculum vitae, or other biography highlighting your experience most relevant to the duties of the ARIN Board of Trustees. (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/2025/09/kilmer_henry_resume.pdf

You may also optionally include additional web links to external websites (e.g., social media), though not as a substitute for your biography. One URL per line.

Https://www.linkedin.com/in/hankkilmer

5. Governance Experience:

a) Please identify any boards on which you currently serve that carry fiduciary duties, whether at a for-profit or nonprofit organization. Please note how long you have served and what offices, if any, you have held.

ARIN board Jan 2023 – Present
Finance committee (vice-chair)
Risk and Cyber Security committee (vice-chair)
Governance committee
Nomcom committee (Chair)

b) Please identify any other boards on which you have served in the past 10 years that are not included in answer to (a), listing your dates of service.

GPX Global System, Inc. – CTO and Board – ended 2014
Chesapeake Shepherd & K-9 Rescue – Board – ended 2017
Ballet Theatre of Maryland – Board – ended 2020

c) How does your past governance experience prepare you to help fulfill that role by serving as an ARIN Trustee?

I have been on both public and non-profit boards.

6.  Describe any past experience or involvement with ARIN or other Internet governance bodies.

ARIN board, ARIN AC

7. Aside from any governance experience, describe your specific skills, background, and/or areas of expertise you believe will assist the Board in carrying out its duties.

I have been involved in the Internet community since the early 1990s. I have been part of its evolution which enables me to help guide ARIN through the current state of changes within the industry. I understand both technology, business structure, and governance structures. I would like to continue to help ARIN navigate these changes.

6 responses

  1. Marty Fierbaugh

    I am pleased to offer my strong recommendation for Hank Kilmer to be reelected to the ARIN Board of Trustees. Over the past three years, Hank has served on the Board with integrity, technical depth, and a steady commitment to ARIN’s mission. His contributions have consistently reflected both his extensive industry experience and his thoughtful approach to community-driven stewardship of Internet number resources.
    Hank brings many years of hands-on and leadership experience in the Internet industry, giving him a deep understanding of the operational, policy, and strategic challenges facing ARIN and the broader Internet ecosystem. He has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to balance technical insight with practical governance, helping guide ARIN through evolving policy landscapes, technological transitions, and community priorities.
    During his tenure on the Board, Hank has been a clear, collaborative voice—focused on transparency, modernization, and ensuring ARIN continues to serve its members effectively. His commitment to consensus-building, his respect for diverse perspectives, and his dedication to the long-term health of the Internet make him an invaluable asset to the organization.
    Hank’s continued presence on the Board would ensure that ARIN remains grounded in real-world operational understanding while also embracing the forward-looking vision needed to navigate an increasingly complex Internet environment. I endorse his candidacy without reservation and believe the ARIN community will be well served by his reelection.

  2. Leo Bicknell

    Hank Kilmer has contributed to ARIN in multiple capacities in the past with a track record of being knowledgeable, fair, and acting with integrity. I believe he’s exactly the sort of steady-hand leadership ARIN needs to navigate whatever challenges appear in the future.

  3. Nancy Carter

    Throughout his first term on the ARIN Board of Trustees, Hank contributed significantly in different governance roles and demonstrated transparency and ethical conduct. His executive leadership experience is critical for ARIN as it faces upcoming transitions, new strategic priorities, and ongoing challenges in Internet governance and infrastructure. His perspective has been a crucial addition to the Board of Trustees, and collaborating with him has been both rewarding and beneficial.

    I believe that Hank is an invaluable member of the Board of Trustees, whose leadership, integrity, and experience are essential for ARIN’s continued success and effective stewardship of its community.

    He should be re-elected. Vote for Hank!

  4. Tina Morris

    During the last three-years I have served with Hank on the ARIN Board of Trustees his integrity has consistently stood out, he brings his years of technical and corporate governance experience to the table, while also respecting the role we all serve as individuals on the ARIN Board. I have worked with him on several complex problems, like the new LRSA update requiring deep consideration and collaboration. He earned my trust with this work because of the multi stakeholder approach he took, considering the impact of any change the board makes to all members of the community at every step.

    Hank also brings executive leadership experience to the Board which is especially helpful as we will likely have to navigate the transition of some key staff leadership roles in the coming years. This is a critical time for ARIN, we need his perspective and his commitment to the community

    Please reelect Hank, his years of experience and proven track record of sound judgment make him an invaluable member of the Board of Trustees.

  5. Bryan Garland

    I am writing to express my full support for the reelection of Hank Kilmer to the Arin Board of Trustees. As both a colleague and collaborator, I have had the privilege of working closely with Hank over the past 20 years, and I can attest to their deep expertise, unwavering integrity, and clear commitment to the advancement and stability of the internet.

    Hank brings a rare combination of technical acumen and collaborative leadership to the board. Their contributions—whether in the form of thoughtful policy development, infrastructure improvements, or consensus-building among diverse stakeholders—have consistently moved our shared mission forward.

    Reelecting Hank ensures that the board continues to benefit from a proven leader who is not only technically skilled but also deeply dedicated to the principles of an open, secure, and resilient internet.

    I strongly endorse Hank for reelection and look forward to their continued leadership and service.

  6. Tom Coleman

    I strongly support the reelection of Henry “Hank” Kilmer to the ARIN Board of Trustees. Hank brings a rare blend of deep technical expertise, seasoned governance experience, and a clear commitment to ARIN’s mission. As Chief Network Officer at Cogent Communications, he has demonstrated leadership at scale, overseeing critical infrastructure in a rapidly evolving internet landscape.

    During his first term on the ARIN Board, Hank served as vice-chair of both the Finance Committee and the Risk and Cybersecurity Committee, and chaired the Nomination Committee. His contributions reflect not only strategic insight but also a hands-on understanding of the challenges facing ARIN and the broader internet community. He has consistently acted with integrity, recusing himself when appropriate and engaging transparently on matters of conflict.

    Hank’s decades-long involvement in the internet ecosystem—from technical operations to nonprofit governance—makes him uniquely qualified to help ARIN navigate the future. His thoughtful approach to policy, risk, and industry change is exactly what ARIN needs to maintain trust, resilience, and relevance.

    I urge the community to support Hank Kilmer’s reelection. His continued presence on the Board will be a tremendous asset to ARIN and to all stakeholders who rely on its stewardship.