A Message from CEI Chairman Todd Zywicki

Friends of CEI,

As the chairman of the Competitive Enterprise Institute’s Board of Directors, I’m writing to announce that CEI President Lawson Bader will be departing from the organization in November 2015 to join the donor-advised fund, DonorsTrust, as president and CEO.

We at CEI are grateful for Lawson’s excellent leadership, steadfast commitment to free-market principles, and for the many accomplishments he helped us achieve during his three years at CEI’s helm. He and his renowned collection of whiskey will be missed.

Lawson asked that I share the following words with you:

“I am excited about this new opportunity, but will miss being part of a wonderful team. CEI’s band of ‘happy warriors’ are exactly that: smart, fun, and, most importantly, utterly dedicated to promoting a more free economy where we all can prosper. These last three years have been personally and professionally rewarding, and I look forward to remaining a freedom fighter with the help and support of my friends at CEI.”

The board is also pleased to announce that Greg Conko will become acting CEI president at the end of Lawson’s tenure. Greg has been CEI’s executive director for the past three years and helped manage a successful transition when Lawson joined CEI as president. The board will work closely with Greg to manage this transition as CEI grows and expands its advocacy and litigation efforts. CEI’s senior management team will continue to lead the charge against regulatory overreach and government abuse, and fight harder than ever to reduce government barriers to economic liberty. 

Thank you all for your support of the Competitive Enterprise Institute. We have every confidence that the organization will be in good hands while the board works to identify the next president of CEI.

Please join me in wishing Lawson well and welcoming Greg in his new leadership role during this transition.

Sincerely,

Todd J. Zywicki
Chairman of the Board, Competitive Enterprise Institute