Flournoy leaving CNAS to start strategic advisory firm

By Tony Bertuca / October 17, 2017 at 10:59 AM

Michèle Flournoy, the chief executive of the Center for a New American Security who was once thought to be a leading candidate for defense secretary, will be leaving CNAS at the end of the year to start her own strategic advisory firm, according to an announcement from the think tank.

Flournoy will, however, remain on the CNAS board of directors, which has established a search committee to find the next CEO. Richard Fontaine will continue to serve as CNAS president.

Flournoy, a former under secretary of defense for policy, was widely thought to be former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's first choice to lead the Defense Department in the event she won the presidential election.

"The board is grateful to Michèle for her stellar commitment and contributions to CNAS, first as its Co-Founder and President, and currently as its CEO, and collectively wish her well in her new endeavors," according to CNAS.

The think tank also announced it would be adding former Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, former chief of U.S. Strategic Command Adm. Cecil D. Haney, and Frederick Terrell, the vice chairman of investment banking for Credit Suisse.

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