Center for a New American Security

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Washington, D.C., May 5, 2011 — The Center for a New American Security (CNAS) is pleased to announce that Richard D. Parsons, Chairman of the Board of Citigroup, will serve on the Joining Forces advisory board. Parsons joins General Stanley McChrystal, USA (Ret.) and Mrs. Patricia Shinseki on the board, which will help guide CNAS’ work in support of the Joining Forces initiative.

CNAS Chief Executive Officer Nathaniel Fick stated, “As the father of a Marine veteran, Dick Parsons understands the challenges faced by military families. As one of America’s most respected corporate leaders, he brings wisdom and experience that will be invaluable to Joining Forces. We’re honored to partner with him in this important work.”

Joining Forces, spearheaded by First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, is a comprehensive national initiative to mobilize all sectors of society to give U.S. service members, veterans and their families the opportunities and support they have earned. Through a broad range of ongoing projects and programs, CNAS hopes to make a lasting contribution to the way America cares for its veterans, military service members and their families. As President Obama stated in his remarks at the April 2011 launch of the Joining Forces initiative: "The strength and the readiness of America’s military depends on the strength and readiness of our military families.  This is a matter of national security.  It’s not just the right thing to do; it also makes this country stronger."

CNAS has been conducting research on the issue of military wellness as a national security imperative since 2008 and is the only national security think tank in Washington, D.C. led by veterans of the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Richard D. Parsons, a former Army Reservist, is Chairman of the Board of Citigroup and a Senior Advisor at Providence Equity Partners, a leading private equity investment firm specializing in media, communications and information companies.  Prior to serving in those roles, he was the Chairman of the Board and CEO of Time Warner, Inc., the world’s largest media and entertainment company, from 2002 to 2008.  In its January 2005 report on America’s Best CEOs, Institutional Investor magazine named Mr. Parsons the top CEO in the entertainment industry. Currently, Mr. Parsons is serving as a member of President Obama’s Council on Jobs and Competiveness. His other civic and non-profit commitments include Chairman Emeritus of the Partnership for New York City; Chairman of the Apollo Theatre Foundation and of the Jazz Foundation of America; and service on the boards of the Museum of Modern Art and the American Museum of Natural History.