DALLAS, TEXAS— Today, the George W. Bush Presidential Center announced a transition plan to find the successor for Kenneth A. Hersh, its President and Chief Executive Officer. Hersh, who joined the Bush Center in 2016, has led a significant era of progress at the Bush Center. He will stay on until a successor is named and will remain on the organization’s Board of Directors.
“Ken Hersh has been an effective leader of the Bush Center and champion of our shared values for nearly a decade,” said President George W. Bush. “Laura and I are grateful for his willingness to join us and proud of what he has accomplished. The energy and ideas Ken brought to the Bush Center helped bring our policy programs to a new level and our public engagement to new audiences. And his commitment to financial sustainability will ensure that our work will carry on for generations to come. Laura and I value our friendship with Ken and look forward to his continued involvement at the Bush Center.”
During his tenure, Hersh ensured the long-term impact of the Bush Center. He set the conditions necessary for the policy work of the George W. Bush Institute and the organization’s public engagement and programming to deliver results far into the future.
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to take on work that President and Mrs. Bush started while they were in the White House and to take on new work inspired by their values,” said Hersh. “Leading an incredible team and making such a tremendous impact have been a privilege. We have established the Bush Institute in the policy community as a center right voice promoting the values of freedom, opportunity, accountability, and compassion. We have worked tirelessly to engage with the community through all our platforms, both in person and online. In addition, I have been gratified by the many people who have invested in our work and allowed us to build a strong financial position that will ensure that the momentum continues for the long term.”
Under Hersh’s leadership, the Bush Center undertook and implemented a long-term strategic plan for the Bush Institute focused on ensuring opportunity for all, strengthening our democracy, and advancing free societies worldwide.
The organization expanded the breadth and depth of its policy work and action agenda. In addition, the Bush Center increased the impact of best-in-class leadership programming for mid-career professionals working at home and worldwide to solve pressing challenges.
Hersh also led the establishment of strategically designed and repeatable programming that convenes people at home and worldwide in ways only a presidential center can. Since 2018, the Bush Center’s annual Forum on Leadership has brought global leaders to Dallas to discuss critical and timely issues, while its online and in-person platforms have reached wide audiences.
Hersh spearheaded integrating the operations of the George W. Bush Presidential Museum with the overall activity of the Bush Center after transitioning operational control of the museum from the National Archives in 2023. He also ensured the long-term financial sustainability of the Bush Center by maintaining budget discipline while helping to build an endowment that exceeds $400 million, complete with many endowed positions in the Bush Institute. Today, the endowment funds over 60% of the organization’s operating budget.
“Thanks to Ken’s leadership, the Bush Center is operating on all cylinders,” said Don Evans, Chairman of the Board of the Bush Foundation. “The Bush Institute is incredibly well positioned and well led by David Kramer while the overall Bush Center operation is running smoothly. Ken established a great culture where people feel connected to a critical mission, are empowered to make a difference, and know that the Bush Center is a caring work environment. With this momentum, now is a great time to begin a transition process.”
Hersh concluded, “I am grateful for the trust placed in me by President and Mrs. Bush along with our Board of Directors and the honor of leading this great team. I look forward to assisting in a smooth transition and remaining on the board to continue this momentum.”
