Welcoming new Governing Board officers

The Governing Board of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists is delighted to announce its new slate of officers. We are honored to welcome John Balkcom in his new role as the Board’s chair and Marjorie Craig Benton in her new role as the Board’s secretary, effective January 1, 2019.

Balkcom has been a longtime adviser to management and boards. He retired in 2000 after 25 years as a management consultant and since then has served as a corporate director and advisory board member for a number of public and private enterprises. He served on the Bulletin’s Governing Board from 2012 – 2013 and from 2016 – present; previous leadership roles have included president of St. John’s College and chairman of a NYSE company. He has also served as a member of the advisory board of the Federation of American Scientists since 2014 and board observer and investor in Microbiome Therapeutics since 2012.

Benton has served twice on the Bulletin’s Governing Board, from 2005-2010 and from 2016-present. She has been a US Commissioner, International Year of the Child; US Ambassador to U.N.I.C.E.F.; the Public Delegate to the United Nations; a Co-Chair of Americans for SALT; and Special Advisor to the United Nations Disarmament Commission. She was also co-founder of the Peace Museum in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulletin honored Benton at its 2015 annual dinner, in recognition of her sustained commitment to the organization and determination in advancing its mission.

The Bulletin is immensely grateful to outgoing Governing Board chair Lee Francis, who joined the Board in 2001 and served as secretary/treasurer and then vice chair before his 2014-2018 term. Francis is the honoree at the organization’s signature Annual Dinner this November in Chicago; he will continue serving on the Governing Board as vice chair – immediate past chair.

Francis commented on the changing Board roles by observing that: “A strong Board chair and a knowledgeable secretary are important for any organization; during this time of unparalleled growth for the Bulletin, these positions are indispensable. I can’t think of better candidates to step into their respective roles, and I look forward to supporting John and Marjorie in my new position as vice chair.”

Rachel Bronson, president and CEO of the Bulletin, added: “I have worked closely with John and Marjorie since 2016, during what has been their second terms on the Governing Board. They are both deeply experienced in governance and passionately interested in our issues; I look forward to working with them for the next three years. I am so thankful to Lee for providing me with such strong successors.”

The Bulletin’s Governing Board is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the organization; ensuring the organization operates in a legal, ethical and professional manner; participating in Doomsday Clock discussions; representing the organization at public events; and assisting in raising funds for the Bulletin’s continued operation and fiscal stability.