Two Failed Presidential Candidates Join Same Private Board

Former governors and onetime presidential contenders Jeb Bush and Martin O’Malley were appointed earlier this month as directors on the board of Rivada Networks, a privately held wireless company with designs on landing the $7 billion government contract to build a nationwide broadband network to provide specialized communications services for public safety agencies. Rivada executive chairman and co-CEO Declan Ganley has been very vocal about his desire to compete to build the network, known as FirstNet, which was a recommendation of the 9/11 Commission. The two former politicians would provide “strategic counsel and guidance” and offer “unique insights into the challenges and needs” of individual state governments, according to a statement released by the company.