Personal Information
• Born in San Salvador, El Salvador, March 29, 1957.
• Married, three children, two grandchildren.
• Electrical Engineer, Universidad Centroamericana “José Simeón Cañas” (UCA), El Salvador, 1982
• Bachelor in Business Administration, Universidad Centroamericana “José Simeón Cañas” (UCA), El Salvador, 1986
• Master in New Technologies of Information and Communications, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Madrid, Spain, 2005
Job Experience
• Computer Maintenance engineer (National Cash Register NCR, El Salvador) (January 1981 to December 1983)
• Production Equipment Maintenance Section Head (Texas Instruments, Inc. El Salvador) (January 1984 to September 1986)
• CIO of Universidad Centroamericana “José Simeón Cañas” (www.uca.edu.sv) (September 1986 to January 2014)
• President and Executive Director of Asociación SVNet (www.svnet.sv, SV ccTLD NGO) (February 2014 to present).
• Consultant for several private and public, national and international companies in the area of Information Technology, use of Internet and sustainable development, for almost 40 years.
• Director of several academy undergraduate papers to obtain bachelor degrees in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Business Administration, Law, Media and Journalism; and for postgraduate degrees in Education Policy and Political Science.
• School and University teacher for several years, in areas such as Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, and others.
• Speaker at numerous conferences, lectures, symposia, seminars, workshops, both nationally and internationally.
Awards and Recognition
• 2021 Induction to the Internet Hall of Fame (https://www.internethalloffame.org/), December 14, 2021, On line ceremony.
• 2020 Life Time Achievement Award “Premio Trayectoria 2020″, awarded by LACNIC, October 6, 2020, On line ceremony.
• 2018 G’NIUS Award, Awarded by Universidad Tecnológica de El Salvador, November 22, 2018, San Salvador, El Salvador.
• Gran Ciudadano Digital (Great Digital Citizen), Awarded by Fab Lab organization, May 17, 2018, San Salvador, El Salvador.
• Salvadoran of the Month, appointment granted by the organization Mediolleno, January 2014
• Recognition for his contribution to the development of Internet, Tenth anniversary LACNIC, October 2012, Montevideo, Uruguay.
• Tribute from the Cultural Center of Spain in El Salvador: “Breakfast with … Lito Ibarra”, May 13, 2012
• Recognized in public media as the “Father of the Internet in El Salvador”, due to his work in connecting the country to Internet.
• Honorary Member of ASPROC (Salvadoran Association of Computer Professionals)
• “Honorary Golden @” 2005 Prize, awarded by Elsalvador.com (elsalvador.com) and El Diario de Hoy, for his role as “the father of the Internet” in El Salvador (September 27, 2005)
• ASPROC Award 2003 as Professional of the Year. (ASPROC: Salvadoran Association of Computer Professionals) (October 5, 2003).
• Best high school graduate student, Externado San José School, El Salvador, 1975.
International Appointments
• Member of the ICANN Board (www.icann.org) (October 2015 to October 2021)
• Member of the LACNIC Board (www.lacnic.net) (Internet Addresses Registry for Latin America and the Caribbean) (January 2010 to December 2018)
• Founder and first President of LACTLD (Latin American and Caribbean Top Level Domains) (www.lactld.org) (September 2001 to March 2004).
• Member of the LACTLD Board (April 2006 to May 2012)
• Member of the RedCLARA Board (www.redclara.net) (Latin American Cooperation of Advanced Networks) (December 2002 to November 2004 and June 2009 to November 2011).
National Appointments
Civil Society
• Original and legacy manager (Admin contact) for the SV ccTLD (1994 to present, ccTLD delegation and IP addresses received from Jon Postel).
• Founder and President of SVNet (www.svnet.org.sv) (Organization that manages SV top level domain names and a B block of IP addresses) (1994 to present).
• Founder and Executive Manager of the Internet Exchange Point El Salvador (IXSal), a project under SVNet (September 2020 to present).
• Founder and President of Internet Society Chapter El Salvador (April 2014 to present).
• Founder and Member of the Board of Asociación Infocentros (December 1998 to June 2009).
• Founder and Executive Member of the Board Asociación Conexión al Desarrollo de El Salvador (www.conexion.sv) (December 1998 to present).
• Founding member of Open Hardware SV (March 2013 to present)
• Founder and Member of the Board of Asociación Fab Lab El Salvador (January 2014 to present).
Academy
• Founder and President of RAICES (Salvadoran Advanced Network Research, Science and Education) (National Research and Education Network) (www.raices.org.sv) (October 2002 to present).
• Member of the Board of Escuela Especializada en Ingenieria ITCA-FEPADE (Higher Education Institution) (www.itca.edu.sv) (October 2009 to March 2010) and (October 2013 to present)
• Director for the ICT (Information and Communications Technology) Cluster for the Higher Education for Economic Development IAB Program (2015 – 2017)
Government
• Member of the Governor’s Assembly, Banco de Desarrollo de El Salvador (Development Bank) (March 2015 to present)
• Member of the Board of the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT) of El Salvador (National Council for Science and Technology) (www.conacyt.gob.sv) (October 2002 to December 2012).
Private Sector and Enterprises
• Founding member and President of the Club of Knowledge Transfer and Exchange (November 2010 to present).
• Member of the Board of TBox (formerly Futurekids) (www.tboxplanet.com) (July 2004 to present).
• Coordinator RIBIE (www.ribie.org) (Red Iberoamericana de Informática Educativa) El Salvador (September 1999 to present).
• Member of the Advisory Council on the Caribbean and Central America region for Alliance Programme for Education of Microsoft (Partners in Learning) (July 2006 to 2018)
• Member of the Advisory Board of Fundaungo (December 2014 to present).
• Member of the Board of INSER, S.A. de C.V. (Since its inception to present).
• Member of the Board of Pagadito (www.pagadito.com) (July 2017 to present).
• Member of the Board of INNBox (www.innbox.sv), (May 2017 to present).
• Member of the Board of Mido (August 2018 to present).
Participations
• Attendance as a participant to several LACNIC, RIPE, ARIN, APTLD, AFRINIC, LACTLD, IETF and ICANN meetings, in different dates
• National Expert for the nomination of candidates for the World Summit Award (2003, to present).
• Jury in several technological, mobile and web applications contests (several years).
• Organizer and coordinator for several events, such as hackathons, innovation rallies, application development challenges, etc.
• Organizer of the first Museum of Internet and Information Technology in El Salvador (www.unpocodehistoria.sv)
• Promoter and coordinator of the installation of the first IoT (Internet of Things) antenna in El Salvador, at SVNet’s office.
Publications
• Weekly Blog in La Prensa Grafica “Convesaciones en Línea” (“Online Conversations”) http://blogs.laprensagrafica.com/litoibarra/ (November 2008 to present, more than 635 entries)
• Several online articles in www.svnet.org.sv, and in many on line publications.
• Newspaper columns in three of the major Salvadoran newspapers, starting in March 1998 until November 2008, when he changed to a blog publication.
• Miscellaneous publications in newspapers, magazines, book sections, graduate works, both in paper and on line (several dates).
Last modified on March 31st, 2022 at 12:58
I knew Lito first as a ccTLD manager and a leader among Internet pioneers in his region, and have also worked with him as part of the ICANN community. He is a knowledgeable and thoughtful colleague with a broad perspective. As a long-time member of the Internet technical community, and a former liaison to the ICANN Board, I believe his experience and insight will be an asset to the ICANN Board in challenging times.
Lito is a great person to work with. An outstanding professional with a great experience and an many years internationally proven track record. Lito is always ready and committed to contribute to the Internet Community.
I fully support his nomination to the ICANN Board.
I want to support the nomination of Lito Ibarra. I know Lito since 1995-96 when we participated in the Latinamerican Forum of Academic Networks. Lito is an outstanding option for ICANN. He has the experience, intelligence, and sensibility required to have a great role and help and contribute to the goals of the organization. Lito is additionally an outstanding human being. He has all my support and I hope yours.
I have known Rafael “Lito” Ibarra since the mid 1990’s. Together we have participated in many international organizations dealing with the advancement of ICT’s and the Internet, especially in the Central American region.
Lito knows very well the characteristics and needs of the Latin American and Caribbean regions and thus can be of invaluable aid to a Board such as that of ICANN.
Lito is an extremely gregarious person and his vocation for service has been proven many times. He is respectful of other person’s ideas and beliefs and this in turn has earned him respect from his peers and authorities, both nationally and internationally.
For the above reasons, and many more, I express my support in his bid for a seat in ICANN’s Board.
I would like to support the nomination of Rafael (Lito) Ibarra. I have had the opportunity to collaborate with him in the contexts of LACTLD, LACNIC and ICANN, and I have witnessed his contributions to the development of the Internet, especially in the LAC region.
I am sure that Lito has much more to contribute from the ICANN Board, and therefore I fully support his nomination.
I have met Rafael in 2002 when we started to create the Latin American Cooperation of Research and Education Networks (RedCLARA). Rafael (Lito) put in this endeavour all his energy, not only leading the creation of RAICS, the Research and Education Network of El Salvador, but being an engine behind the construction of RedCLARA
Rafael has worked all these years for the Internet and the NREN community of latin America. He has managed the .sv domain, participated in several Lain American Intrnet initiatives such as LACTLD and LACNIC and has been a force behind the development of the Internet in the region.
I strongly support his candidacy to the ICANN Board, I am sure that he will devote all his energy to the end of veveloping the Internet in te LA Region and the World.
Florencio Utreras
I would like to support Rafael Ibarra nomination. I worked with him when i was general manager of lactld and him part of the council. His activity in El Salvador to create a digital ecosystem for his country from his work in ccTLD .SV
Also we has part of LACNIC.
During these 15 years I had the privilege to work with Rafael Ibarra within the Internet community of Latin America and the Caribbean.
LACNIC, LACTLD, ICANN, RedClara, LAC-IX… are a few organizations that have benefited from his leadership, his spirit of sacrifice, and his sense of responsibility.
Lito is very serious, result oriented and always looking for consensus.
I have no doubt that he will be able to continue contribute and to put his energy at the service of the Internet community of his dear country El Salvador, of the LAC region as well as the global Internet community.
I fully support his nomination to the ICANN Board.
I’ve had the privilege to work with Rafael (Lito) Ibarra from the many roles that he has served our community. Lito has been exemplary as a ccTLD operator who promoted Internet technologies in El Salvador and the LAC region. As an ICANN Board member, Lito kept constant communication with the various groups and constituencies. Lito is highly respected and admired by everyone. Lito will serve the ASO and ICANN community well.
Lito is a true pioneer of Internet, especially for our region of Latin America and Caribe, and has been very rightly recognized for the Internet Hall of Fame. He will be an outstanding member of the ASO community, contributing to the strengthening of the Internet worldwide!
Lito is a great leader and a really very kind and warm person. He makes a great contribution for the ICANN Community.
His technology background and great experience makes an excellent combination for the being a Board Member. His contribution is always invaluable for our LAC Region.
I am very happy and pleased to support Lito Ibarra for the ICANN Board.
I have followed Lito Ibarra’s trajectory, often side-by-side, since the 1990’s. He is experienced, has public service in mind, is a bridge-builder, and has thorough technical knowledge which is much needed in the ICANN Board. His sense of responsibility has proven useful in the Board already in different projects. He continues to have contact with the community in many meetings in which we continue to appreciate his contribution. The IP addressing world will be well represented and able to communicate with other interests if Lito comes back on the Board.
I have worked with Lito on the ICANN Board for six years, where he was both an informed and a valued Board member.
Lito’s experience on issues related to both addresses and ccTLDs informs his participation and contribution. He was always well prepared, thoughtful and made constructive contributions.
Lito was highly respected, and was trusted to chair the important Risk Committee of the Board, which I Chaired prior to him. He always looks out for the interests of the Internet, not just ICANN or individuals.
I am pleased to support Lito’s candidacy for another term on the ICANN Board.
I’ve known Lito for more than 20 years. He is a nice person, open minded and very proactive; an exceptional member of the Latin American and the Caribbean internet community.
We have worked together in several LACNIC activities and it is always a pleasure to work with him.
We also are now workin in LACIX and he is always very focused and proactive
I fully support his nomination to the ICANN Board.
I’ve known Lito for more than 10 years. He is a kind person, always available and open minded; an exceptional member of the Latin American and the Caribbean internet community.
We have worked together in several LACTLD activities and it is always a pleasure to have him on the team. Beyond his vast knowledge and experience Lito has many qualities which invariably have a positive impact in any discussion, such as keen observation, objective listening, impartial judgment and excellent composure.
I fully support his nomination to the ICANN Board.
Lito has been one of the founders of LACTLD. He is an undisputed leader and a benchmark in the history of the Internet in the LAC region. His contributions and experience have been significant for our cctlds community where he has contributed to building agreements of collective value. We support his nomination.
I know Lito since 2008 when we both were involved in RedCLARA our Regional Acadenic Network.
I was truly amazed by his lidership and wisdom, becomen a great friend from the very beginnig of our friendhip.
Since then, I’ve been workibg with him in different opportunities, ibcluding GFCE Triple-I Day @LACIGF2019, back in 2019, and other activities regarding our common role as coordinators of our corresponding local IGFs (El Salvador and Bolivia), leading us to work together in the community og NRIs at Global IGF.
I am completely sure he will contribute in an outstanding way to ASO Board, if he is elected.
I had the privilege to work side-by-side with Lito on the ICANN Board for 6 years. He brings great perspective from being a ccTLD operator, actively involved in Latin American internet governance, prior experience with LACNIC and an outstanding leader on the Board. I whole heartedly endorse him for consideration by the ASO.
Lito is an experienced technologist, a seasoned manager, and, most importantly, an experienced board member. ICANN is a complicated operation; Lito’s experience will add helpful depth to the board’s oversight mission. Further, Lito’s broad experience in both the address community and ccTLD community will help balance the tendency of ICANN to focus primarily on the gTLD community.
Underneath Lito’s quiet demeanor is a conscientious, thoughtful person with a strong sense of values and a strong commitment to work on behalf of the best interests of the Internet.
Lito has been one of the founders of LACTLD. He is an undisputed leader and a benchmark in the history of the Internet in the LAC region. His contributions and experience have been significant for our cctlds community where he has contributed to building agreements of collective value. We support his nomination.
I served on the ICANN Board with Lito from 2018 thru 2021 and support his candidacy for the ICANN Board. He is a strategic thinker and was a true asset in providing thoughtful, analytic insights to many board deliberations. Lito’s vast experience across both the ccTLD and addressing communities bring a wealth of knowledge to any discussion.
Lito’s attention to detail and strong sense of integrity will be an asset to the ICANN Board.
Lito is an outstanding professional and human being. His vast experience in numerous international institutions demonstrate his vast experience and holistic vision. Moreover, he understands how the ICANN Board works, an invaluable asset to the Internet Community and ICANN as a whole, since he will be able to contribute and navigate this complex organization on day one. He is also a leader of the technical community in Central America and his participation in the Board will bring along the views and knowledge of our region to the global arena; a region that is usually under represented in ICANN. I worked alongside Lito in LACNIC’s Board for two years and witnessed first hand his valuable contributions to the Internet Community. I strongly support his nomination to ICANN’s Board.
I served on the ICANN’s Board with Lito, and I enthusiastically support him for the 2022 ICANN Board Nominee Seat 10.
Lito not only brings a long experience serving the Internet communities across the world, but he also carries several other qualities which are indispensable for how the ICANN’s Board work. I collaborated closely with him on several board initiatives, and I found him principled and forthright with his colleagues from the community.
During his previous term of 6 years on the ICANN Board Lito brought a calm, informed and collegial focus to decision making.
His wide experience in ccTLDs, addressing, ICANN and Internet Governance generally along with his high level of commitment, analytical mind and strategic perspective would make him an excellent addition to the Board.
Rafael Lito Ibarra’s resume perfectly defines the qualities and warmth of the person, undoubtedly he will bring to the ASO an updated and realistic vision of this organization.
ICANN will continue to count on the participation and support of an expert in the field who has given so much for the technological society.
I have worked with Lito on the ICANN Board for six years and I found him to be an extremely valuable member.
Lito, not only brings valuable experience and perspective on issues related to Address and ccTLDs, he contributes equally to every topic that the ICANN Board deals with.
Lito has also a positive impact on the harmony and collegiality of the Board. When Lito speaks other listen, because they know that he puts the interests of ICANN above his personal interest.
I therefore strongly support Lito’s candidacy for a new term on the ICANN Board.
I served on the board with a Lito for three years and wholeheartedly recommend him. He brings a number of qualities which are essential for the functioning of the board: he’s well respected and approachable, he can build consensus but also stand up for principles when needed and because of his diverse background he can build bridges between various parts of the community. He’s a man of integrity and wisdom, as well as kindness and diplomacy.
Lito is an experienced technologist, a seasoned manager, and, most importantly, an experienced board member. ICANN is a complicated operation; Lito’s experience will add helpful depth to the board’s oversight mission. Further, Lito’s broad experience in both the address community and ccTLD community will help balance the tendency of ICANN to focus primarily on the gTLD community.
Underneath Lito’s quiet demeanor is a conscientious, thoughtful person with a strong sense of values and a strong commitment to work on behalf of the best interests of the Internet.
I had the privilege to work side-by-side with Lito on the ICANN Board for 6 years. He brings great perspective from being a ccTLD operator, actively involved in Latin American internet governance, prior experience with LACNIC and an outstanding leader on the Board. I whole heartedly endorse him for consideration by the ASO.