The comments offered so far are excellent and I agree with them for the most part. But there does seem to be a dichotomy of qualities/qualifications that are deemed necessary. An individual experienced in Government Relations, International affairs, muti-stakeholder processes, track record of high level leadership, etc. and with a level of charisma may not track well with the operational experience and qualities that also have been mentioned. My opinion is that the Board is better served by looking at the former, leaving operational expertise to another role.
 
I also have two questions:
 
1. Will be a mechanism for the community to submit candidates that they believe should be considered. 
 
2. There have been rumors that many of the Board will not consider another USA based candidate. I would like to confirm that that is not an official, or unofficial, criteria.
 

Tim 
 
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [council] Meeting with the Board - Qualities of a new CEO
From: "Jonathan Robinson" <jonathan.robinson@ipracon.com>
Date: Sat, October 22, 2011 11:15 am
To: "'GNSO Council List'" <council@gnso.icann.org>

All,
 
PLEASE GIVE INPUT IN ORDER TO BEST INFORM TOMORROW’S DISCUSSION WITH THE BOARD
 
Thanks,
 
Jonathan
 
________________________

Hiring a new CEO
 
What qualities do you think we ought to be seeking in a new CEO? Perhaps thinking about:
·         The nature of ICANN & the role it plays.  Balancing technology sector, innovation, operational stability, financial management, being run in the public trust
·         Qualities of the previous incumbents and what you did or did not think were effective (for ICANN) about them?
·         The new/current world order (AOC, new gTLD programme, global economic environment, emergence of new technologies, enhanced interest of governments)
·         Desirable skills & experience – charisma, leadership, government relations, private sector, financial, operational, international experience
What are your criteria for openness, transparency etc. in the hiring process?
(bearing in mind considerations of responsibility to candidates and community, privacy, Board confidence)
·         Do we expect to see (and influence by e.g. public comment) the specification and key selection criteria?
·         Do we expect see and give feedback on the above or anything before the hiring process commences?
·         Do we expect to have any interaction during the course of the hiring process?  Updates, information, influence?  If so, how?
·         Do we expect to influence or comment on the final outcome?
Anything else?
·         Any other comments or issues on the hiring of a new CEO?
·         Performance criteria and measures of a successful appointment?
·         Term & termination provisions?