American Security Project Appoints General Stephen Cheney to Serve as First Chief Executive Officer

Retired Marine Corps Brigadier General Stephen A. Cheney is named CEO of bipartisan think tank

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Security Project (ASP) today announced the appointment of BGen Stephen A. Cheney, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corp, as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the American Security Project. Gen. Cheney succeeds ASP Executive Director Dr. Jim Ludes and will be the organization's first CEO.

Former Senator Gary Hart, the Chairman of ASP, said: "Gen. Cheney comes to us with a distinguished professional career and an excellent record of military service. As ASP continues promoting public dialogue around crucial national security issues, we are confident in the General's incredible ability to move the organization to new heights."

Senator John Kerry (D-MA), who also serves on the Board of Directors at ASP, stated: "Gen. Cheney is leadership personified. It's in his DNA as a decorated officer who has served as a COO, and been President of a military academy. He's thoughtful, he's serious, and he knows the stakes for America are too high for national security to be another partisan shouting match. He's the right leader now as ASP tackles complex, divisive issues and finds a way forward.  We are proud to have him serve as the first CEO of ASP."

Vice Adm. Lee Gunn, President of ASP, added: "Gen. Cheney brings great military and business experience to ASP—an ideal combination for this new leadership role.  The General is widely admired and enormously well respected by his fellow service members and former colleagues.  We at ASP are delighted that he has agreed to assume this new position as our Chief Executive Officer."

BGen Cheney is a former President of the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, Texas. Prior to that appointment he was Chief Operating Officer for Business Executives for National Security (BENS). General Cheney served over 30 years in the Marine Corps, including a tour as Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruit Depot/Eastern Recruiting Region in Parris Island, South Carolina. To read his complete bio, please click here.

Gen. Stephen Cheney commented: "I'm thrilled to join ASP as its first CEO. As a member of the board, I was more than impressed with the activities of the organization and the brand it has built for itself thus far. I'm pleased to assume a close leadership role within ASP to propel the organization to further success."

Gen. Cheney continued: "Fostering bi-partisan dialogues around challenging national security topics is not easy, but ASP has shown that it is up for the task, taking a complex and vast subject area and making it consumable and usable for the American public. Whether ASP has coordinated initiatives focusing on climate change and energy, competitiveness and rare earths, terrorism and expeditionary economics, or nuclear security, Washington and the public have shown that they are steadily paying attention to what ASP is doing."

About the American Security Project: The American Security Project is a non-profit, bipartisan public policy and research organization dedicated to fostering knowledge and understanding of a range of national security issues, promoting debate about the appropriate use of American power, and cultivating strategic responses to 21st century challenges. For more information, visit www.americansecurityproject.org. Find us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.

SOURCE American Security Project