The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation has selected its next executive director.
After conducting an extensive national search, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation Board has selected Gleaves Whitney, Director of the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies at Grand Valley State University to succeed Joe Calvaruso as the foundation’s next Executive Director.
Whitney’s programs at the Hauenstein Center pair with the mission of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation which is committed to the legacy of President Ford, public service and civic engagement.
At Grand Valley, Whitney established the first higher education common ground initiative in the United States and has hosted major Midwestern conferences. A hallmark of Whitney is hosting events dissecting partisan issues through understanding and dialogue.
In a statement, Board Chair Mike Ford, son of President Gerald R. Ford and Betty Ford said, “Gleaves brings to the Foundation an exciting and innovative vision for our future work, both across Michigan and throughout the nation. We have great confidence that he will help us continue to advance the strong legacy of my father and mother for the greater good of our American democracy and the national well-being of all people.”
Whitney’s first day on the job is September 1st.
I’m Patrick Center