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Photo of David Zumwalt

Zumwalt, David

This nominee has

21

statements of support.

Affiliation: WISPA – Broadband Without Boundaries

Nominee Classification: Well Qualified

Nominee 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. A Trustee’s responsibilities have usually required about 5-10 hours per week.

None

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”)

N/A

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

N/A

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 2023”). 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.

BSEE, Rice University, May 1981

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

  • Registered Professional Engineer (TX 66292), July 1989
  • Fellow, Radio Club of America, November 1998

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.

WISPA – Broadband Without Boundaries (Wireless Internet Service Providers Association)
President & CEO
200 Massachusetts Ave NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC  20001

WISPA’s members are comprised of wireless Internet service providers (WISPs) – innovative entrepreneurs who provide fixed wireless, fiber and other connectivity solutions to consumers, businesses, first responders and community anchor institutions – and the industry which supports them, including equipment suppliers and support services. WISPs bring critical Internet access to millions of Americans in unserved and underserved rural, suburban, urban and Tribal areas.

b) Please refer to the ARIN Board of Trustees Guidance to the 2022 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.

As detailed more fully in my resume/CV, I presently serve as President & CEO of WISPA, a membership Association comprised of Internet service providers who provide fiber, fixed wireless and other connectivity solutions to millions of Americans in unserved and underserved rural, suburban, urban and Tribal areas, and the supplier industry which supports them. 

Prior to my current role with WISPA, I served as:

  • Chief Operating Officer of a major Internet Service Provider in the US Virgin Islands;
  • CEO/Executive Director an instrumentality of the USVI government formed to establish and grow a vibrant network-connected, knowledge-based sector in the Territory’s economy; and
  • Chairman and CEO of a leading provider of radio frequency (RF) engineering and operational support system software and services to the worldwide wireless communications industry.

Each of these experiences have included Board and C-Suite roles for network-connected businesses and initiatives, with responsibility for their activities and long-term strategic direction.

In addition, I have served on the Boards of, and as a transitional chief executive in, several venture capital and private equity-backed businesses, working closely with management teams, stakeholders, capital partners and governmental/regulatory counterparts, spanning private sector, public sector and academic initiatives.  I have also served on the regional Boards of two national non-profits.

I am confident that I can be of service to ARIN’s mission.

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/2023/08/zumwalt_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.

No Response

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.

Director, WISPA PAC (affiliated with WISPA) – June 2022 to present.

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.

Director, Boy Scouts of America, National Capital Area Council (USVI District Chair), 2013-2015

(significant additional for-profit and non-profit Board experience prior to 10 years ago)

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

I understand the division of responsibilities between Boards and Operating leadership, and the duties of Directors (care and loyalty, for example).  Having served as a Board Chair, Member, Committee Chair and Member, I understand Board governance matters and the unique value each Member brings to the Board.

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

N/A

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.

In addition to the details provided in my resume/CV and responses to other questions, I am strategic, professional, patient, and have a calm demeanor.  I possess “technical curiosity” and a management style that focuses on “standing up” rather than tearing down.

21 responses

  1. Chris Buehler

    David Zumwalt has exhibited consistent professionalism and a commitment to long-term institutional improvement in the many years that I have known him. His experience, skills, and attention to forming positive lasting relationships will greatly benefit ARIN and its mission.

  2. I wholeheartedly support David as a candidate with ARIN. He is a highly experienced business professional and will serve the organization well.

  3. Too Vira

    I fully support David for this nomination as his breadth and depth in different industries, technologies, and, more importantly, his market instincts would guide ARIN to where it needs to be today, tomorrow, and in the far future.

  4. Kevin B Young

    David is an ideal match for the ARIN Board. Not only is he a brilliant technical mind, his strategic vision, guidance, and leadership seem to be in short supply in corporate governance. I highly recommend him.

  5. I highly recommend David Zumwalt for the ARIN Board of Trustees. He has been President and CEO of WISPA –Broadband Without Boundaries, a 501(c)(6) broadband industry trade association, for more than a year. In this short time, he has already greatly improved the financial health of our association and deftly led WISPA to help our broadband ISP members overcome legislative and regulatory challenges. As a registry of IP addresses and Autonomous System numbers, ARIN will benefit from Board of Trustee members with a ride range of experiences in high-tech and advanced internet communications. The breadth of David’s experiences is truly impressive. In addition to leading WISPA, as a Chief Operations Officer for a broadband internet service provider, to CEO of an online transactional privacy & privacy assurance solutions, to CEO of a U.S. Virgin Islands Research & Technology Park, David brings a wide range of knowledge about internet service provider and consumer internet experiences.

  6. The Internet continues to mature and morph, and ARINs role in its future has never been more critical. I’ve known David since he was hired by WISPA and have had the fortune to see his ability to look at the big picture and devise win-win strategies to utilize limited resources in the most efficient ways possible to maximize the outcome for all parties. I believe his role in “working in the trenches” with so many small to mid-size ISPs in North America along with his extensive experience in DC will help shape ARIN policy to maximize the usefulness of its resources and enable next-generation internet technologies.

  7. David would be an excellent choice for ARIN. He is a well-rounded, experienced professional with a balance of knowledge and skills in technology, operations, management and governance.

  8. Rupert Meghnot

    I enthusiastically endorse David Zumwalt for this position. He is eminently qualified – and suited – for the position. Additionally, over nine years, he provided strategic, tactical, fiscal, operational, and emotional support for my company, as an invaluable advisor. We miss him.

  9. This is a statement of support for David Zumwalt from Richard Bernhardt, Esq. I have worked with David Zumwalt in executive capacity with WISPA for over a year; and together we have worked on sensitive policy matters, spectrum concerns, and day-to-day office matters and found him to be professional, understanding, and outstanding at leadership. He is well respected in the community and adapted well to the WISPA membership with little time into the fire. I highly recommend him to your Board of Directors. You will be truly lucky to have him.

  10. I highly recommend David Zumwalt as a candidate for the ARIN board of Trustees. He is professional & trustworthy. Knowledge and wisdom are his strengths. His respect for others, and application of his strengths, make him a friendly and welcoming person. He will serve the ARIN community well ! Great Choice.

  11. Mike Kennedy

    As a member of a trade association that has been represented by David Zumwalt, three words come to mind about him: steady, thoughtful, and smart. David has been a real asset to our industry, and he’s not afraid to tell us when we are wrong – and then to help think through a better way to keep moving forward. He would be a big asset to the ARIN board.

  12. While I have only known and worked with David for a little over a year, I must say that he has a wealth of knowledge which would be quite valuable to ARIN as a Board of Trustee. From a strategic perspective and timing, technical understanding of the industry, and commitment to ARIN, David would be an excellent choice.

  13. I am delighted to express my strong support for David Zumwalt as a nominee for the Board of Trustees. Throughout my interactions with David, I have been consistently impressed by his unwavering dedication toward bridging the Digital Divide.

    I have complete confidence that David will contribute significantly to the Board of Trustees, providing fresh perspectives and sound judgment in advancing the mission of ARIN.

  14. I have see David excel across a wide range of business activities, using his acumen, communication skills, creativity, diplomacy and management ability to drive solutions and lead his staff to higher levels of achievement. ARIN would be fortunate to have David on its management team.

  15. David Oberholzer

    David Zumwalt is a proven leader and technologist. He has exceptional skills working with diverse groups to reach complex objectives. A wise choice for ARIN’s BOT.

  16. Tom Allen

    I have known and worked with David for many years. He is thoughtful, a strategic thinker, problem solver, and motivator. An excellent choice for your board. Highly recommended!!!

  17. I have known David for about 25 years. He has been a business partner, a mentor and an investor. I consider him to be a man of high integrity, experience and intelligence. Any entity would be lucky to have Zumwalt onboard.

  18. David will do fantastic on your board! His years of experience and current role at WISPA make him a great candidate!

  19. Dave Westberry

    You can do no better than to have David Zumwalt on your board

  20. Few people are as qualified as David for this role. He has years of experience in the technical aspects of being a carrier as well as leadership skills and deep understanding of the challenges facing the broadband industry. He has also been instrumental in helping the wireless ISP market grow and thrive. in short, I can think of few if anyone more qualified than David.

  21. Scott Greenwell

    I’ve known and worked along side David for decades. He is a consummate professional and an excellent strategic thinker. He would undoubtedly be an enormous asset to this board.

All statements of support are held for moderation and subject to the Statement of Support Acceptable Use Policy. Comments without a full, complete name and email may not be approved for publication.
Moderation will be completed within one business day. If you have any questions, please let us know at elections@arin.net.

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