Edgar Figueroa has overseen a massive expansion and evolution of Wi-Fi technologies as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Wi-Fi Alliance over the last 15 years but announced earlier this year that he is stepping down. Wi-Fi Alliance announced today that Kevin Robinson has been named to replace him as President and CEO.
Wi-Fi Alliance
Wi-Fi is everywhere and there’s a fair chance you use it in some way on a daily basis—perhaps right now as you read this article. As ubiquitous as the technology is, though, you may not be as familiar with Wi-Fi Alliance—the consortium that develops and drives Wi-Fi technology.
Wi-Fi Alliance is a worldwide network of more than 900 companies working together to advance Wi-Fi. Members collaborate with a shared vision to connect all of the things from wherever they may be while ensuring the best possible user experience.
One of the crucial elements of that user experience is security. Wi-Fi Alliance has significantly raised the bar for wireless security with Wi-Fi 6 and WPA3 encryption to simultaneously improve security and reduce friction for users. I recently worked with Wi-Fi Alliance on a series of articles that debunk common myths and misconceptions of Wi-Fi security and share the features and benefits of the current version, and Kevin Robinson joined me on the TechSpective Podcast to chat about Wi-Fi security.
Advertisement
Digital Equalizer
In the last couple decades, Wi-Fi has gone from a novelty or luxury embraced by a select few to a mainstream technology that carries more than half of the internet traffic around the world. There is a massive and constantly expanding ecosystem of devices that depend on Wi-Fi technology to communicate.
Figueroa will be a hard act to follow, but Robinson is not coming into the role blind. Robinson has played an integral role in the success and evolution of Wi-Fi. He has been with Wi-Fi Alliance for 15 years, and has served as VP of Marketing for the past 7 years.
Prior to joining Wi-Fi Alliance, Robinson served as a Captain in the US Army. He combines the discipline and commitment instilled in him by the military with a deep understanding of the Wi-Fi landscape and a passion for continuing to drive adoption and evolution of Wi-Fi technology.
“My top priority is to ensure Wi-Fi remains the premier connectivity technology and greatest digital equalizer for people around the globe by harnessing and amplifying the unmatched innovation engine that is the Wi‑Fi industry,” declared Robinson. “In the coming years, Wi-Fi Alliance will continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible through connectivity, and we look forward to nurturing a growing community of product and service innovators looking to address the most pressing opportunities together.”
The Future of Wi-Fi Alliance
Robinson intends to emphasize industry outreach and unification to drive the future of Wi-Fi. He has laid out a strategy to focus on securing global Wi-Fi spectrum, deepening engagement and cohesion across the Wi-Fi ecosystem, and evolving the Wi-Fi Alliance to ensure the organization remains agile and capable of addressing the market it serves.
Carlos Cordeiro, Chairman of the Wi-Fi Alliance Board of Directors, is quoted in the Wi-Fi Alliance press release announcing Robinson’s appointment. “As we move into this next generation of growth and collaboration with member companies, Kevin understands the legacy he inherits and the importance of a dynamic Wi-Fi Alliance to the continuing success of our industry. Kevin stands as a visionary leader who will invigorate this preeminent industry body as it takes on new global challenges and seizes opportunities that lay ahead.”
