The Heritage Foundation has announced Kay Coles James as its sixth president. James will take over in her new role on January 1, 2018. She is the first female African-American president in the think tank's history. James has served on the Heritage Board of Trustees since 2005. According to Heritage, James was unanimously elected by the board.
(Townhall was part of the Heritage Foundation from the site's founding in 1995 until 2005.)
On Twitter, James said she was "honored" that she was picked to serve as Heritage's president.
I'm honored that the @Heritage board of trustees has asked me to serve as the organization's next president. What we believe, what we develop, what we fight for—these are the policies that help people.
— Kay Coles James (@KayColesJames) December 19, 2017
I look forward to expanding the conservative movement in a positive, inclusive way as we build an America where freedom, opportunity, prosperity and civil society flourish.
— Kay Coles James (@KayColesJames) December 19, 2017
Prior to this, James worked as the director of the Office of Personnel Management from 2001 until 2005. She's also on the NASA Advisory Council.
James replaces Edwin J. Feulner as president of the Heritage Foundation. Feulner was a founding trustee of the Heritage in 1973, and served as president from 1977 until 2013. He was replaced by Sen. Jim DeMint, who resigned in May of 2017. Feulner stepped in as interim president until a new candidate could be selected.