Rob Vietzke Named New Internet2 Executive Director of Network Services 

Internet2 today announced that Rob Vietzke will join its staff as the Executive Director of Network Services. In this role, Rob will be responsible for the operation of Internet2's new advanced nationwide network, and will support the network's connections with Internet2's network connectors, major federal networks and more than 80 international research networks. He assumes this position after helping to lead the deployment of the Internet2 Network over the past 18 months.

Prior to joining Internet2, Rob was the Director of theConnecticut Education Network Advanced Services Center (CEN) at the University of Connecticut. He was assigned to Internet2 as Project Director to lead the deployment of the new Internet2 Network and transition from the previous backbone. In this capacity, Rob led a team that worked with partner organizations, Internet2 Connectors and members to successfully deploy an advanced nationwide hybrid optical and packet network infrastructure that spans over 13,500 long-haul route miles, and includes over 400 network elements and close to 30 colocation suites.

At the University of Connecticut, Rob led the design, deployment and operations of the Connecticut Education Network (CEN), the nation's first all-optical K-20 network for the state of Connecticut. CEN extended gigabit Ethernet to every school district and college campus in Connecticut. Under his leadership, over 40 college campuses and 160 school districts chose to join the Connecticut Education Network and to use CEN as their sole Internet and Internet2 provider.

official Internet2 press release