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*Read and share online: <https://www.fsf.org/news/2025-ian-kelling-becomes-board-president>* **BOSTON, Massachusetts, USA (Thursday, October 2, 2025) — The Free Software Foundation (FSF) announced today that Ian Kelling, senior systems administrator for the organization and the first union member to hold a seat on its board, has been elected as the new president of the FSF.** **The FSF board members unanimously confirmed Kelling as president at a September meeting, making him the first staff member to hold the volunteer leadership position.** Kelling, age forty-three, has held the role of a board member and a voting member since March 2021. The board said of Kelling's confirmation: "His hands-on technical experience resulting from his position as the organization's senior systems administrator proved invaluable for his work on the board of directors. The board is confident Kelling is the right person to help the organization achieve its long-term goals. His commitment to free software comes from a life of exploring ways to exert user control. He has the technical knowledge to speak with authority on most free software issues, and he has a strong connection with the community as an active speaker and blogger." Kelling earned a bachelor's degree in computer science and is a continuous user, developer, and advocate for free software. His personal commitment to complete software freedom has been shaped by his past experiences working as a software developer for proprietary software companies while using, learning, and contributing to GNU/Linux on his own time. "Ian has shown good judgment on the board, and a firm commitment to the free software movement," FSF founder and Chief GNUisance Richard Stallman said. Outgoing FSF President and long-time board member Geoff Knauth added: "Since joining the board in 2021, Ian has shown a clear understanding of the free software philosophy in today's technology, and a strong vision. He recognizes threats in upcoming technologies, promotes transparency, has played a significant role in designing and implementing the new board recruitment processes, and has always adhered to ethical principles. He has also given me valuable advice at critical moments, for which I am very grateful." The announcement comes just before the [FSF's fortieth anniversary][1], for which a celebration is planned on October 4, 2025, where Kelling will also make an address. It is expected that more announcements of upcoming plans for the organization will be presented around this time. On his appointment, Kelling states: "It's an honor to serve in this leadership role for the Foundation. We see how new technologies are constantly resulting in new threats to computer user's freedom and we aim to help users overcome them in a spirit of freedom and cooperation. I look forward to helping shape our strategic goals around these current threats while continuing to strengthen the organization through my steadfast commitment to the movement's principles." [1]: https://www.fsf.org/fsf40/ Kelling will continue to fill the role of senior systems administrator for the FSF, which he has held since 2017, where he leads the FSF's tech team under the direction of Zoë Kooyman, executive director of the FSF. True to the FSF's tradition for this role, he takes on the governance role as a volunteer. "With Kelling carrying responsibilities as a board member and a systems administrator for years now, we have already grown used to working together closely and efficiently in order to benefit the organization. The FSF has undergone an introspective restructuring period over the last few years, which was necessary. I believe now, with Kelling's active and dynamic leadership, we will be able to focus our energy on mission-focused growth through strategic projects and strong advocacy," Kooyman said. Knauth, who led the organization through a series of pioneering governance reforms as FSF president since 2020, has stepped down from his position as president, as well as from his positions as board member and voting member, as [planned][2]. He will continue as the FSF's treasurer while the organization searches for a successor. [2]: https://www.fsf.org/news/update-on-work-to-improve-governance-at-the-fsf "We want to express our gratitude to Geoff Knauth for his service as president. Thanks to his steadfast leadership, the FSF continues to hold its position of authority in the free software movement. We continue to stand up for users everywhere, and are now well-positioned to continue to spread the message and defend user rights, as it's important now more than ever before." Kelling added. *Kelling's election to president means he will no longer hold a union position or serve as the union representative. FSF staff members will select a new union representative to serve on the Board in the months ahead.* ## About the Free Software Foundation The FSF, founded in 1985, is dedicated to promoting computer users' right to use, study, copy, modify, and redistribute computer programs. The FSF promotes the development and use of free (as in freedom) software -- particularly the GNU operating system and its GNU/Linux variants -- and free documentation for free software. The FSF also helps to spread awareness of the ethical and political issues of freedom in the use of software, and its websites, located at <https://www.fsf.org> and <https://www.gnu.org>, are an important source of information about GNU/Linux. Donations to support the FSF's work can be made at <https://donate.fsf.org>. The FSF is a remote organization, incorporated in Massachusetts, US. ## MEDIA CONTACT Zoë Kooyman Executive Director Free Software Foundation +1 (617) 542 5942 <[email protected]> -- Interested in helping us expand our reach? * Follow us on Mastodon at <https://hostux.social/@fsf> and PeerTube at <https://framatube.org/accounts/fsf/video-channels>, showing your support for federated social networks. * Get active on the LibrePlanet wiki: <https://libreplanet.org/wiki/Main_Page>. * Share on your blog or [social network](https://www.fsf.org/share) that you support us, and why you do so. * Subscribe to our RSS feeds: <https://fsf.org/blogs/RSS>. * Join us as an associate member: <https://www.fsf.org/jf>; and display your membership button (<https://my.fsf.org>) on your website. Read our Privacy Policy: <https://www.fsf.org/about/free-software-foundation-privacy-policy>. 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