James Deaton, currently the Chief Technology Officer of OneNet, has been selected as the Executive Director of the Great Plains Network (GPN). His selection was announced today by Steven Fulkerson, Executive Director of the Arkansas Research and Education Optical Network (ARE-ON) and the Chair of GPN’s Executive Council. Deaton will assume the position of Executive Director on October 1st, 2017.
In making the announcement, Fulkerson said, “The GPN Executive Council is pleased that James Deaton will become GPN’s next Executive Director. James is a recognized leader in research and education networking at regional and national levels. His experience and vision will guide GPN’s success in advancing the goals of its members as GPN enters its third decade of operation.”
“For over 17 years I have been fundamentally invested in the success of GPN due to its incredible impact on the research and education community within Oklahoma,” said Mr. Deaton. “I am excited for this opportunity to lead the GPN in establishing new collaborations and partnerships to leverage cyberinfrastructure and the strength of our community to meet the missions of our members.”
Deaton brings more than 20 years of experience developing and operating advanced networks and services. Having served all levels of public and private education, local, state and federal government, research institutions and healthcare, Deaton is accomplished in serving the needs of a diverse set of members. Currently the Chair of Internet2’s Network Technical Advisory Committee, past Chair of the Quilt’s Board of Directors and a member of several other advisory groups and committees, Deaton has had an active role in the organizations critical to the development of advanced networking resources. He has successfully sought and received grant funding from several federal agencies acting as PI or Co-PI in over $76 million dollars in awards over the past 8 years.
James can be reached at jed@greatplains.net