Facebook founder and Chief Executive Officer, Mark Zuckerberg, just announced American Express outgoing CEO, Kenneth Chenault, has joined the social media platform’s Board of Directors.
Zuckerberg made this known in a statement yesterday stressing he had been trying to get Kenneth into the Facebook’s board for years.
“I’m excited to announce that Kenneth Chenault, the outgoing CEO of American Express, has agreed to join Facebook’s Board of Directors,” said Zuck, adding “I’ve been trying to recruit Ken for years”.
Speaking on the prowess of Ken, Zuck said “He has unique expertise in areas I believe Facebook needs to learn and improve — customer service, direct commerce, and building a trusted brand”.
He also said Ken has a strong sense of social mission and the perspective that comes from running an important public company for decades.
“Adding someone to our board is one of the most important decisions our board makes.
“It’s a long process that I take very seriously since this is the group that ultimately governs Facebook.
“Ken and I have had dinners discussing our mission and strategy for years, and he has already helped me think through some of the bigger issues I’m hoping we take on this year.
“Welcome Ken, and I’m looking forward to working with you on our board!” Zuck said.
In his comments, Ken said, “I’m delighted to join the board and look forward to working with Mark and the other directors as Facebook continues to build communities that help bring people closer to friends, family and the world around them”.
Mr. Chenault has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of American Express Company since April 2001.
He joined American Express in 1981 and was named President of the US division of American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. in 1993; Vice Chairman of American Express Company in 1995; President and Chief Operating Officer in 1997; and Chief Executive Officer in January 2001.
The new Facebook director holds a B.A. in history from Bowdoin College and a J.D. from Harvard Law School.
He serves on the Boards of IBM, The Procter & Gamble Company, the Harvard Corporation and numerous nonprofit organizations, including the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health, the Smithsonian Institution’s Advisory Council for the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the World Trade Center Memorial Foundation, and the Bloomberg Family Foundation. He is also a member of the Business Council.
Aside from Mr. Chenault, Facebook’s current board members are: Mark Zuckerberg; Marc L. Andreessen, Andreessen Horowitz; Erskine B. Bowles, president emeritus, University of North Carolina; Susan D. Desmond-Hellmann, CEO, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; Reed Hastings, chairman and CEO, Netflix; Jan Koum, founder and CEO, WhatsApp; Sheryl K. Sandberg, chief operating officer, Facebook; and Peter A. Thiel, Founders Fund.
TheNewsGuru reports his appointment is effective February 5, 2018.