FSF confirms Ian Kelling as its new president
5 hours ago
- #Leadership
- #Open Source
- #Free Software Foundation
- Ian Kelling confirmed as new FSF president by unanimous board decision.
- Kelling is the first staff member to hold this volunteer leadership role, combining his technical expertise as senior systems administrator with governance.
- His background includes a computer science degree, advocacy for free software, and experience in both proprietary and GNU/Linux environments.
- FSF founder Richard Stallman and outgoing president Geoff Knauth praised Kelling's judgment, vision, and ethical commitment to free software principles.
- Kelling will continue his role as senior systems administrator while leading FSF, focusing on strategic goals to combat threats to user freedom.
- The transition coincides with FSF's 40th anniversary, with a celebration planned for October 2025 where Kelling will address upcoming organizational plans.
- Geoff Knauth steps down as planned, remaining treasurer during the search for his successor, after pioneering governance reforms.
- Kelling relinquishes union roles; staff will elect a new union representative for the board.
- FSF, founded in 1985, advocates for software freedom via GNU/Linux, education, and activism, supported by donations.