FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 22, 2025
Media Contact:
Chief Jeff Johnson (Ret)
info@thepssa.org
702-620-4900
LAS VEGAS— “On behalf of the Public Safety Spectrum Alliance, (PSSA) we thank retiring CEO Joe Wassel for his leadership during a significant phase in FirstNet’s evolution and expansion. Under his guidance, FirstNet completed its initial network buildout, advanced its transition to 5G, and significantly expanded nationwide coverage. Joe laid a strong foundation for FirstNet’s next phase, charting a course for continued innovation and growth,” said Chief Jeff Johnson spokesperson for the PSSA.
Added Chief Johnson “Joe’s achievements—most notably securing thousands of new FirstNet cell sites nationwide, including 1,000 new sites by the end of this year—position FirstNet for sustained success, empowering America’s first responders to help protect their communities and fulfill their critical public safety missions.”
We appreciate Joe’s commitment to keeping FirstNet at the forefront of public safety technology and we wish him the very best in his next chapter. The FirstNet Authority Board is conducting a search for a new Executive Director to lead the organization into its next phase of growth, while remaining steadfastly committed to serving public safety.
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About PSSA
The Public Safety Spectrum Alliance (PSSA) is an alliance amongst the nation’s leading public safety leaders and associations. The PSSA is an initiative of the Public Safety Broadband Technology Association. The purpose of the PSSA is to ensure that first responders nationwide are able to use the most technologically advanced communications capability that meets the difficult, life threatening challenges they face as they protect America. Our goal is to raise awareness in the FCC, Congress and the White House about what our broadband public safety communications needs are, including use of 4.9 GHz and the continued enhancement of FirstNet—the only nationwide, interoperable wireless communications network built for the first responders who protect America.
The PSSA is open to anyone who supports the goals of this Alliance, including individuals and the private sector. To learn more, additional information and resources can be found at http://www.thepssa.org.
About PSBTA
The Public Safety Broadband Technology Association (PSBTA) is an organization focused exclusively on ensuring the success of the entire FirstNet ecosystem that includes the legal entity created by Congress, the network infrastructure, hardware and software, and the single most important component—the end users.