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Thomas Barrett
President, EnCirca, Inc.
Professional Background
Thomas Barrett is a distinguished professional with over 35 years of experience in the technology sector, solidifying himself as a leader in brand protection, internet development, and the revolutionary field of blockchain technology. As the President and Founder of EnCirca, Inc. and Name Share, Inc., Thomas has played a pivotal role in establishing EnCirca as a preeminent ICANN-accredited domain name registrar. His company specializes in community-based top-level domains (TLDs), offering crucial assistance to domain name registries in developing effective go-to-market strategies. Under his guidance, EnCirca has become a preferred Registrar for notable TLDs such as .BANK, .CPA, .BOT, .REALTOR, .PHARMACY, .COOP, .JOBS, and .TRAVEL.
His leadership extends beyond the corporate realm, as he actively contributes to industry standards and best practices. Thomas serves as the Chair of the Blockchain Subcommittee for the International Trademark Association, demonstrating his commitment to integrating innovative technologies within trademark law. Additionally, he chairs the ICANN NomCom Review Working Group, further aligning his expertise with global internet governance.
Education and Achievements
Tom Barrett's education laid a strong foundation for his technical expertise. He holds an MS from the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and has a BS degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), both of which are renowned institutions known for their rigorous engineering programs. Further strengthening his profile, he completed his early education at Reading Memorial High School, cultivating a passion for technology that would lead to a successful career.
Over the years, Mr. Barrett has held various notable positions including Vice President at Thomson CompuMark, a subsidiary of ThomsonReuters, where he was instrumental in the development of the SAEGIS trademark research platform. His previous roles include that of Business Consultant at NeuStar, where he offered strategic insights that shaped their service offerings.
His career path has afforded him experience with respected organizations such as NetNames, NetBenefit, and AT&T New Media, as well as engineering positions at General Electric - Aircraft Engines and Pratt & Whitney Aircraft. This expansive experience across different technology domains has equipped Thomas with a unique perspective on the intersection of innovation and corporate strategy.
Notable Presentations
In recent years, Thomas Barrett has shared his knowledge and insights at various industry forums and conferences, proving himself as an expert in domain management and blockchain technology. Some of his recent presentations include a panelist role at the Middle East DNS Forum discussing "The Domain Name Business" in April 2021, and being a presenter at HandyCon in March 2021. He has also been a prominent speaker at the INTA Annual Meeting, where he contributed to discussions on blockchain technology’s impact on trademarks.
He moderated the panel discussion entitled "Blockchain: Threat or Opportunity for Domaining?" at NamesCon in January 2020 and presented on relevant topics such as "Blockchain, IoT and the DNS" at ICANN64 in Kobe, Japan, showcasing his expertise in cutting-edge technology and its implications for the DNS ecosystem.
Achievements
Mr. Barrett's contributions to the domain name industry and blockchain technology are ongoing and impactful. He leads innovative initiatives such as EnCirca’s validation portal, which powers seven new generic top-level domains (gTLDs), including .BANK and the highly-regulated .INSURANCE. EnCirca also operates as a white-labeled registrar for dotBrand TLDs, reinforcing its versatility in catering to a diverse clientele.
Furthermore, as a Trademark Agent for the Trademark Clearinghouse, EnCirca helps resolve potential conflicts in the increasingly crowded domain name space, demonstrating Mr. Barrett's commitment to protecting intellectual property rights in the digital landscape. The company is at the forefront of supporting blockchain-based DNS concepts, including Ethereum's ENS and TLDs enabled by the Handshake Protocol, further establishing its leadership in the evolving domain registration landscape.
Through his robust background and active contributions to key organizations and initiatives, Thomas Barrett not only showcases his expertise but also highlights the importance of responsible governance in the digital ecosystem. His dedication to empowering others within the industry through education and advocacy continues to make a significant impact on the ongoing development of web technologies and brand protection.
Those looking to understand the future of blockchain's role in domain management and brand integrity would greatly benefit from Mr. Barrett's wealth of knowledge and experience.
