September 3, 2013 1:02 PM

CPPP NAMES ANN BEESON AS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Dallas native gets the call to fill the large shoes of Scott McCown at the helm of the influential Austin think tank

From the press release:
"Beeson joins the center from her position as Senior Fellow and Lecturer at the Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life, University of Texas, College of Communications.

“'Ann understands that individuals are not defined by the socio-economic status they are born into, but by leading a life built on dignity and respect for others. When given equality and justice, individual initiative can create great opportunities,' said Jim Hine, incoming chairman of CPPP’s Board of Directors and former commissioner of the Texas Department of Aging and Disabilities Services. 'She also understands that good public policy is born out of constructive debate, conducted in a civil manner that informs others through factual information and in-depth analysis.'

"Beeson was the Executive Director of U.S. Programs at the Open Society Foundations from 2007 to 2011, where she oversaw a staff of 50 and the distribution of $150 million annually to promote human rights, justice, and accountability nationwide. She was previously the national Associate Legal Director of the American Civil Liberties Union, where she worked from 1995 to 2007. She argued twice before the U.S. Supreme Court, litigated numerous cases around the country, and launched groundbreaking programs to stop the erosion of civil liberties in the name of national security and to protect free speech and privacy on the Internet."