Gilman Louie, Longest Serving Board Chair of the Federation of American Scientists, Named Chair Emeritus
Louie named to inaugural emeritus position as the organization enters new era. Kumar Garg elected Interim Chair.
Washington, D.C. – DATE, 2026 – Amid astonishing advances across scientific and technical domains, and the convergence of serious threats and opportunities, one of the nation’s oldest science policy organizations, the Federation of American Scientists, announces changes to its board of directors to guide the organization as it translates technical expertise into public benefit. Gilman Louie, who has served as the Chair of the board since 2009, will continue until the end of the year and then begin a Chair Emeritus role beginning on January 1, 2027.
“My long involvement with FAS has been because I believe in its mission that scientists and technologists lend their expertise in pursuit of a safer and more prosperous world,” says Gilman Louie, Chief Executive Officer at America’s Frontier Fund and Partner at Alsop Louie Partners. “In every era there are challenges and opportunities that demand that the brightest minds work diligently to mitigate risk and expand shared prosperity. I know FAS has the talent and commitment to do this demanding work in the years ahead.”
Mr. Louie began his storied career as an entrepreneur in the video game industry, and later, in technology venture capital. Among his achievements: appointment to the United States National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI) in 2018, serving as vice chairman of the standing committee on Technology, Insight-Gauge, Evaluate and Review for the United States National Academies, and appointment as a member of the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board in 2022.
Gilman Louie Inaugural Chair Emeritus
“Gilman leaves the organization better than he found it, and I’m grateful that we’ve successfully persuaded him to become our inaugural Chair Emeritus so we may continue to leverage his institutional knowledge and strategic insights,” says Daniel Correa, FAS CEO. “His commitment to this organization has been the steady hand on the rudder over the last 17 years; none of what we have accomplished would have been possible without it.”
Mr. Louie’s tenure began immediately after the Great Recession. He guided the organization through the resulting economic upheavals of COVID-19 and several administrations. Now, as multiple technologies and other pressures sharply reshape society, he will pass the baton to new leadership, retaining a strategic advisory role at one of the nation’s leading science and technology think tanks.
“Gilman has been a long-time supporter and partner to FAS. In particular, his strong alignment to our policy entrepreneurship model and core mission of ensuring that science and technology benefit all of humanity have laid the groundwork for so much of FAS’s growth in recent years,” says Dr. Jedidah Isler, FAS Chief Science Officer.
Kumar Garg Elected Interim Chair
The FAS board will transition smoothly from Louie’s leadership as Board Chair to his role as Chair Emeritus. Kumar Garg, elected to the board on September 11, 2025, was elected to serve as interim Chair beginning in January 2027. Garg has helped to shape the science and technology landscape for almost two decades inside and outside of the federal government. Among his first tasks will be the search for additional board members ready to navigate the quickly moving waters of frontier research.
“Gilman demonstrated deft decisionmaking throughout his board leadership. We will rely on his continued guidance as we prepare for even faster breakthroughs,” says Kumar Garg, President of Renaissance Philanthropy. “It is a transformative time in science and technology. Success will demand intellectual curiosity, bravery, and humility. A lot will be at stake for all of us in the years ahead. We need to be ready for it.”
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Federation of American Scientists (FAS)
The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) works to advance progress on a broad suite of contemporary issues where science, technology, and innovation policy can deliver transformative impact, and seeks to ensure that scientific and technical expertise have a seat at the policymaking table. Established in 1945, FAS continues to bring scientific rigor and analysis to address national challenges. More information about FAS’s work at fas.org.
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