Longtime National Geographic Chairman to Step Down
October 27, 2010 | Read Time: 1 minute
Gilbert M. Grosvenor, who chaired the National Geographic Society board for 23 years, will retire at the end of 2010, effectively ending his family’s multigenerational stewardship of the Washington scientific and media institution, reports The Washington Post.
His daughter, Lexi Grosvenor Eller, will remain on the board, and Mr. Grosvenor will continue to lead the society’s education foundation. But his departure as chairman will mark the first time in the society’s 122-year history that the family will not be running or taking part in National Geographic’s book, magazine, and digital operations.
“I’ve done my thing. It’s time for other people to have their turn,” Mr. Grosvenor said. “I don’t think it’s proper for an institution like the Geographic Society, which is tied to adventure, science, and exploration, to have a chairman approaching 80 years of age.”
John M. Fahey, the society’s president, will succeed Mr. Grosvenor as chairman. Timothy T. Kelly, CEO of the organization’s global media group, will become president.
