Welcome New Chairman of the Board

We’re honored to announce that James M. Reum, a retired attorney with 38 years of prominent legal and government experience, is the new Chairman of our Board of Directors.

“It’s an honor to serve one of the nation’s leading educational organizations and to advance critical thinking and civic engagement for readers of all ages through Shared Inquiry™ discussions that focus on works and ideas of enduring value,” says Reum.

Reum was a capital partner at Winston & Strawn LLP, retiring in 2012 after 18 years at the firm where his areas of practice included corporate finance and securities, M&A, and international banking. In 1992, Reum was nominated by President George Bush Sr. to the position of Commissioner of the Securities and Exchange Commission and previously served as an associate counsel to the Judiciary Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives. A graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School, Reum joined the Foundation’s Board of Directors in 2007. He serves on the Executive and Audit Committees and chairs the Financial Planning & Operations Committee. Reum is also involved in a variety of other civic and educational boards.

“I am looking forward to working with Jim, knowing already from experience that his counsel and direction will be invaluable to me and to the Foundation,” said Joseph Coulson, Foundation president. “We are fortunate to have someone with such experience and commitment willing to champion the Great Books mission and lead the Foundation in new directions.”

Reum replaces outgoing chairman Alex J. Pollock, who served as chairman for eight years.