In August, the University announced David Thornburgh’s appointment as the new executive director of the Fels Institute of Government. He succeeds Donald Kettl, who will return to full-time research and teaching in the political-science department as well as serving on the Fels faculty and academic-advisory committee.
Thornburgh is no stranger to Penn, having been director of the Wharton Small Business Development Center from 1988 to 1994. He then served as executive director of the Pennsylvania Economy League until 2006, whereupon he signed on as CEO of the Alliance for Regional Stewardship, a national network of public- and private-sector leaders committed to building globally competitive regions.
Noting that Fels has built a “tremendous legacy of educating effective leaders for public service,” Thornburgh added: “At a time when our economic, environmental, and social challenges demand thoughtful and energetic leadership, I expect Fels will play an even greater role in shaping public policy and management at the regional, national, and international levels.”
—S.H.
