The Free Software Foundation (FSF), a nonprofit with a worldwide mission to promote computer user freedom, has confirmed Ian Kelling as its new president, just days before the organization’s 40th anniversary.
Kelling, who has served as the FSF’s senior systems administrator since 2017, becomes the first staff member and the first union representative ever to take on the volunteer leadership role.
The FSF board unanimously elected Kelling at its September meeting. He has been both a board member and a voting member since March 2021. Board members said his long-standing technical background, combined with his role managing FSF infrastructure, has been critical to his contributions so far and will be central to shaping the foundation’s direction moving forward.
Kelling, 43, has a degree in computer science and a long history with GNU/Linux. Before joining the FSF, he worked as a developer in proprietary software companies while contributing to free software projects in his own time.
His appointment was welcomed by FSF founder Richard Stallman, who described Kelling as having “a firm commitment to the free software movement,” and by outgoing president Geoff Knauth, who praised his “clear understanding of free software philosophy” since joining the board in 2021.
As part of the transition, Knauth has stepped down from both the presidency and his seat on the board. He will remain FSF treasurer while the search for his successor continues. Executive director Zoë Kooyman said Kelling’s leadership comes at a key moment, following several years of organizational restructuring, and emphasized that the FSF will now focus on “mission-focused growth through strategic projects and strong advocacy.”
Kelling is expected to give his first address as president during the FSF’s anniversary celebration on October 4, where further announcements about the foundation’s plans will also be made. He will continue in his role as systems administrator while carrying out presidential duties as a volunteer, following FSF tradition.
For more information, see the official FSF announcement.
