New ICANN CEO appointed to guide gTLD launch

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has announced the identity of its new chief executive officer and president.

Fadi Chehadé, 50, is to take the top job at the internet naming body, succeeding Rod Beckstrom who steps down on July 1st 2012.

A leader in the formation of progressive internet enterprises, the new appointee is a citizen of Lebanon, Egypt and the United States.

He was born in Beirut, Lebanon, to Egyptian parents and speaks fluent Arabic, English, French and Italian.

“I have spent most of my professional career building consensus among various stakeholders from around the world,” said Mr. Chehadé.

“I am naturally humbled to now be able to lead an organization that defines itself by an international multi-stakeholder model and one that is the very core of the security and stability of the internet.”

Dr. Stephen Crocker, chair of the ICANN Board of Directors, said Mr. Chehadé has an amazing track record of success and the obvious leadership qualities to help carry ICANN into the next stage of its evolution.

“His international background and multi-linguistic skills will help to make ICANN an ever more globally oriented organization. It’s hard to imagine how we could have found anyone better suited for the top position,” he stated.

ICANN is currently guiding the introduction of new generic top level domain names (gTLDs), which will give businesses and organizations more options when setting up a website.

The body received 1,930 submissions for new gTLDs during the recent January to May application window.