FirstNet's hunt for a replacement GM may enable a fresh start

The surprise announcement that Bill D'Agostino, the First Responders Network Authority's general manager, has resigned, could provide a fresh start for the authority, which is still struggling to satisfy critics in the public-safety community.

D'Agostino resigned "for personal and family reasons," according to FirstNet. His hiring was announced on April 23, 2013. FirstNet has launched the search for a new GM. The authority, which is charged with building the 700 MHz LTE-based nationwide public-safety broadband network, has leased office space in Reston (VA), for its corporate headquarters, and the new GM, once he or she is chosen, will be located there.

D'Agostino generated praise for his performance as GM. But his past positions with Verizon Wireless and other mobile operators raised concerns among some in the public-safety community who felt FirstNet was already too closely tied to cellular carriers.