Mozilla appoints Chris Beard as permanent CEO following gay marriage controversy
Mozilla has named their new permanent CEO, after Brendan Eich resigned over his donations to anti-gay marriage campaigns.
An announcement today from the company confirmed that Chris Beard, the company’s former Chief Marketing Officer, and interim CEO will take over immediately as permanent chief executive.
Former CEO Brendan Eich, appointed earlier this year, made the decision to step down in March, after his donations to anti-equal marriage campaigns came to light.
In a blog titled ‘Mozilla Moving Forward’, Chairwoman Mitchell Baker wrote on the company’s blog: “Over the years, Chris has led many of Mozilla’s most innovative projects. We have relied on his judgement and advice for nearly a decade. Chris has a clear vision of how to take Mozilla’s mission and turn it into industry-changing products and ideas.”
“In this time of transition there is no better person to lead us. Chris has one of the clearest visions of how to take the Mozilla mission and turn it into programs and activities and product ideas that I have ever seen.”
According to CNet, Beard is a long-time Mozilla insider who has been with the company since the initial launch of Firefox in 2004.
Beard, who remained largely silent on the controversy, tweeted: “Excited to step in as interim CEO to continue shaping the future of the Web for public good w/ fellow Mozillians”
