Cerf stepping down after 7 years heading Internet oversight group

INTERNET PIONEER CERF STEPPING DOWN AFTER 7 YEARS HEADING INTERNET OVERSIGHT GROUP
[SOURCE: Associated Press]
In the 1970s, Vint Cerf played a leading role in developing the Internet's technical foundation. For the past seven years, he's faced the more daunting task of leading the Internet Corporation of Assigned Names and Numbers, a key agency that oversees his creation. After fending off an international rebellion and planting the seeds for streamlining operations, Cerf is stepping down this week as chairman. "My sentence is up," Cerf said with his characteristic sense of humor, which he and others credit for helping him steer the organization through several high-profile battles from which it emerged more stable and stronger. Under Cerf, the organization withstood power struggles and ballooned in size. It also has shown signs of movement on key issues: After years of debate, for instance, it is now beginning to create mechanisms for more easily adding Internet addresses, including domain names in languages besides English. The short list of potential successors includes telecommunications expert Roberto Gaetano and lawyer Peter Dengate Thrush. Both have been active with ICANN, but neither has Cerf's name recognition or long-standing ties to the Internet.
http://www.siliconvalley.com/latestheadlines/ci_7310187