IFES Welcomes Two New Board Members

Senator Kelly Ayotte and Former Congresswoman Heather Wilson to Provide Strategic Guidance on Public Policy and Government Relations

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --  The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) today announced the election of U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) and former U.S. Representative Heather Ann Wilson (R-N.M.) to its board of directors. The additions bring the total number of board members to 24.

"Both women share a commitment to public service and have broken glass ceilings in remarkable ways," said IFES President and CEO Bill Sweeney. "Ayotte was the first woman to serve as New Hampshire's Attorney General while Wilson was the first female military veteran elected to a full term in the U.S. Congress."

"Ayotte is fully committed to honesty in government and holding public officials accountable, regardless of their position or political affiliation. Wilson is a leader of distinction with vast experience in international affairs, national security and public policy," said Sweeney.

About Kelly Ayotte

In her first bid for public office, Ayotte was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2010 with 60 percent of the vote. She serves on the Armed Services, Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs, Commerce, Budget, and Aging Committees. She is the Ranking Member on the Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support.

A prosecutor at heart, Ayotte was appointed to the position of Attorney General in New Hampshire in 2004 by a Republican governor and was twice reappointed by a Democrat governor.

As Attorney General, Ayotte worked with law enforcement officials statewide to protect New Hampshire citizens, helping to distinguish the state as the safest state in the nation. She fought to pass tough new laws cracking down on sexual and Internet predators, particularly those who target children.

About Heather Ann Wilson

During her 10-year tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives, Wilson was Chair and Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, overseeing all of America's defense and technical intelligence capabilities. She has also served as a volunteer trainer for the International Republican Institute (IRI) in Southern Sudan (2009) and Tunisia (2013).

Prior to her work in Congress, Wilson served as Cabinet Secretary for New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department; President of Keystone International, Inc.; Director of Defense Policy and Arms Control for the National Security Council; Acting Representative of the Secretary of Defense to the Conventional Forces in Europe Negotiations; Negotiator and Defense Planning Officer for the U.S. Mission to NATO; Negotiator and Political Advisor to the Commander of the U.S. Air Force in Britain; and Officer with the U.S. Air Force.

As the global leader in democracy promotion, IFES advances good governance and democratic rights by providing technical assistance to election officials; empowering the underrepresented to participate in the political process; and applying field-based research to improve the electoral cycle. Since 1987, IFES has worked in over 135 countries, from developing democracies, to mature democracies. For more information, visit www.IFES.org.

SOURCE International Foundation for Electoral Systems