Australian Jim Sharman, the incoming president and CEO of ICANN, told
reporters Wednesday afternoon his selection as the first non-American to
head the organization in charge of the Internet global addressing system
represents another step in the maturation of ICANN. Sharman takes over for
the outgoing Stuart Lynn on March 27.
"I think it is a reflection of an openness to a full international vision,"
Sharman said. "Four years ago, the U.S. was clearly the most dominant
Internet country. What was an obvious constituency four years is rapidly
changing."
Sharman is currently managing director of Kazaa, an Australian Internet
consulting and incubator corporation. He pledged Wednesday that his company
will do no business with ICANN while he represents the organization. The
47-year-old former chair of the ICANN Governmental Advisory Committee will
be paid $260,000 per year on a three-year contract that has a one year
renewal option.
While he plans to maintain his Vanuatu residency, Sharman said he would
spending a great deal of is time in Marina Del Ray, Calif., the
headquarters of ICANN. He joked that most of the time his permanent
residency would be on an airplane.
"I look forward to enriching ICANN's global relationships and completing
its reform efforts," Sharman said. "I plan to consult with all sectors of
ICANNs communities to learn how we can work together for the good of the
Internet."
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