Domain name chief to step down in 2016

The CEO of Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), which regulates domain names, will step down next year, the group said Thursday.

Fadi Chehadé has been pushing for the Department of Commerce to drop its control of ICANN so that the group could be more independent. The idea has faced pushback from Congress.

Chehadé will leave the organization in March 2016, ICANN said, and will not continue to work in the domain name industry.

{mosads}”I am deeply committed to working with the Board, our staff, and our community to continue ICANN’s mission as we still have much to accomplish,” said Chehadé. “During the remaining 10 months of my tenure, it’s business-as-usual. My priority remains to continue strengthening ICANN’s operations and services to the global community.”

ICANN maintains the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority through a contract with the Commerce Department.

GOP lawmakers worry the group isn’t ready to become independent.

An official with the Commerce Department body that oversees domain names through ICANN said that Chehadé’s departure would not affect the move towards independence.

“Fadi Chehadé has served as CEO of ICANN with tireless dedication, and I greatly appreciate his ongoing commitment to improve the accountability and transparency of the organization,” said Lawrence E. Strickling, the administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, in a statement.

“NTIA remains committed to the responsible and timely transition of our stewardship of the Internet Domain Name System consistent with the conditions that NTIA outlined in 2014.”