Tag Archive for: Election

PRESS RELEASE: EuroISPA elects new Officers during November General Meeting

Brussels, 28 November 2022 – EuroISPA announces the appointment of new Officers following an election held during the General Meeting on November 24th and 25th in Brussels.

EuroISPA is the world’s largest association of Internet Services Providers Associations, representing over 3,300 Internet Services Providers (ISPs) across the EU and EFTA countries. After two years of dedicated work, two of the former Officers have stepped down. New Officers have been elected following a vote by the EuroISPA members; Alex de Joode and Elina Ussa will share the Presidency mandate, serving one year each, Michel Combot will join as Vice-President, and Thomas Bihlmayer is to continue as Treasurer.

Alex de Joode, stated: “I would personally, and on behalf of the Board, like to thank Alexandra Lafitte for her guidance and leadership of EuroISPA in engaging with the EU and international institutions. A heartfelt thank you also goes to Innocenzo Genna, for his strong contributions to the organisation and its impact on policy issues including data protection, cybersecurity, and intermediary liability.”

Elina Ussa, who will take up her role as President at the end of 2023, said: “It is estimated that up to 80 per cent of the legislation in the field originates from the EU. It is important to be closely involved in influencing various legislative projects as early as possible. EuroISPA’s excellent lobbying is wide-ranging. It’s great to get the opportunity to be in its core, and to bring expertise from Finland, the Europe’s leading country in digital development.”

Taking up his role as Vice-President, Michel Combot said: “Our industry and our ecosystem are at the heart of the daily lives of businesses and our fellow citizens. While the very nature of the Internet is sometimes called into question, EuroISPA carries the voice of ISPs in Europe, gathers all stakeholders, and provides a forum for cooperation amongst its members.” Thomas Bihlmayer, continuing as Treasurer, stated: “I’m very proud and grateful to have been re-elected for a second term as EuroISPA Board member. During its 25 years, the Association has been an important voice for the Internet industry and I’m looking forward to continuing this active participation. Technology continuously develops, and with it new challenges arise.”

The final General Meeting of 2022 gathered members in person at EuroISPA’s office in Brussels. The two-day programme Committee meetings, general administration and updates about the Association, as well as the election of the new Officers. EuroISPA welcomed contributions by guest speakers, including representatives from the European Commission and the Swedish Permanent Representation to the EU.

Former EuroISPA President Alexandra Laffitte said: “After serving for four exciting years as a member of EuroISPA’s Officers, I am thrilled to welcome the new Officers: Alex de Joode, Elina Ussa, Michel Combot, and Thomas Bihlmayer. This renewed Board of Officers will bring an exciting new perspective to the association, and I wish them all the best as EuroISPA continues to engage on crucial issues for our society, such as digital rights or encryption. I would like to thank everyone involved in EuroISPA for their trust, cooperation and guidance over the last years, and their ongoing contributions this organisation.” Vice-President Innocenzo Genna, who is stepping down after 16 years on the Board,  stated: “It was a long journey serving EuroISPA as an Officer in a multitude of relevant policy and governance matters. I remain committed to the Association and to supporting its activities going forward, and thank my fellow members for your support over the years.”

De Joode concluded: “We believe that a diversity of Board members will bring fresh energy to the Association. The renewed board brings new expertise to EuroISPA from different domestic legal cultures and experiences, as well as management experience, as two of the new board members run two member associations themselves. In order to retain some continuity, Thomas Bihlmayer stays on as Treasurer and I pick up the role as President after a two year hiatus. I’m looking forward to engage with the EU on various policy dossiers as President, but also in my capacity of Chair of the Safer Internet Committee to ensure there is an effective CSAM regulation that builds towards an open and free internet in Europe.”

Press Release: EuroISPA Announces Election of New Board

Brussels, 23 November 2020EuroISPA, the association of European Internet Services Providers, announces the appointment of it new board members, following an election during the latest General Meeting. The newly elected President, Alexandra Laffitte, was previously on the board as Treasurer and Vice-President; Innocenzo Genna takes on the role of Vice-President once more; whilst Thomas Bihlmayer joins the EuroISPA board as Treasurer in his first mandate. As members from FFTélécoms (France), AIIP (Italy), and eco (Germany), respectively, the new EuroISPA board reflects the multinational nature of the association.

Alexandra Laffitte (FFTélécoms) stated, “I am delighted to have been elected President of EuroISPA, and I look forward to continuing the work the association has achieved in the past years, and to building upon the work of the previous presidencies. This nomination is very humbling, and I would very much like to thank EuroISPA’s membership and extend my gratitude to Maximilian Schubert for having been an outstanding, forward-thinking President for the past two years. My time on the EuroISPA board over the past two years has given me great insight into the valuable work the association does. I am excited to continue to push forward EuroISPA’s programme and priorities in the context of policy issues like the Digital Services Act.”

Innocenzo Genna (AIIP) said, “It is a great pleasure to once more be part of the EuroISPA board. In the past years we have focused on the key policy topics that impact our industry and our members, and I look forward to contributing to this actively. While new European rules are expected to address the issues arising from the rise of digital markets and the conflicts with traditional industries, it is of utmost importance that the Internet remains an open space where innovators can launch and develop new services and business models beyond the limitations of legacy technologies and national borders; EuroISPA is in the interesting position of helping ensure this can happen.”

Thomas Bihlmayer (eco) added, “EuroISPA has a strong position in enabling its members from across the continent to be represented vis-á-vis EU policy makers, and I am happy and extremely honoured to have been elected as the association’s Treasurer. It will be an exciting challenge to help this association grow and expand, whilst working towards its goals and priorities. I look forward to further shaping the role and influence of EuroISPA with the new board, and thank the members for their trust in me to do so.”

As a pan-European association, EuroISPA represents over 2,300 ISPs across the European continent. The association advocates for the needs of the wider internet industry at EU level on specific policy issues, working to make sure that industry priorities are highlighted to external stakeholders. The board is elected every two years, and ensures the governance and daily running of the association, as well as ensuring the positioning of EuroISPA on key policy topics.