People and governance
ACS is a member-governed society, established under Federal Congressional Charter. Our trustees are accountable to the membership and to the public for how we set standards, certify professionals and speak on technology in the national interest.
How we are governed
Board of Trustees
Legally accountable for the Society: strategy, finances, risk and compliance with our charter and byelaws.
Chair: Dr. Margaret Sullivan
Six times a year, Austin
Executive Team
The Society's full-time executive leadership, based in Austin, Texas.
Chair: Richard Taylor
Weekly, Austin HQ
Council
The representative body of the membership. Elected members from every region and specialist group scrutinize the Board and set professional policy.
Chair: Elected Council Chair
Quarterly, Austin and online
Membership and Admissions Committee
Assesses applications and sets admission standards.
Chair: Thomas Taylor
Monthly, online
Professional Standards Committee
Owns the ACS Competency Framework, admission criteria for each grade and the register of certified professionals.
Chair: Christopher Nixon
Monthly, online
Certification Committee
Governs ACS professional credentials and assessment.
Chair: Liza Taylor
Monthly, online
Ethics and Conduct Committee
Administers the Code of Conduct, investigates complaints and rules on disciplinary cases, including AI assurance failures.
Chair: Christopher Nixon
Monthly, online
Audit, Risk and Finance Committee
Independent oversight of the annual audit, reserves policy, internal controls and whistleblowing arrangements.
Chair: Daniel Rabhan
Quarterly, Austin
Nominations Committee
Runs open recruitment for trustee and committee vacancies, with published role descriptions and skills matrices.
Chair: Board Vice Chair
Twice a year, online
Policy and Public Affairs Committee
Leads national policy engagement and research publication.
Chair: Rebecca Kallus
Quarterly, Washington DC and online
Board of Trustees
Trustees serve three-year terms, are elected or appointed through open competition, and receive no remuneration for their service.
Dr. Margaret Sullivan FACS
President
Chief architect, national semiconductor program
Robert Whitfield FACS
Deputy President
CTO, autonomous mobility platform
Dr. James Carter FACS
Chair, Board of Trustees
Former CIO, federal civilian agency
Col. (Ret.) Michael Brennan MACS
Trustee, Assurance
Cyber operations, San Antonio
Steven Parker FACS
Trustee, Industry
Fabrication and advanced packaging
Sarah Mitchell MACS
Honorary Treasurer
Finance director, deep-tech venture fund
Dr. William Foster FACS
Trustee, Education
Dean of computing, public university system
Thomas Reynolds
Lay Trustee
Public-interest and consumer representation
Executive team
The executive runs the Society day to day from our Austin headquarters, under delegated authority from the Board.
- Richard TaylorChief Executive Officer
- Daniel LuperChief Operating Officer
- Thomas TaylorDirector of Membership
- Christopher NixonDirector of Professional Standards
- Richard StringerDirector of Policy & Public Affairs
- Liza TaylorDirector of Education & Accreditation
Governance documents
Every constitutional, conduct and accountability document of the Society, published in full.
Constitution
Charter and Bylaws
The founding instrument of the Society: its objects, membership grades and post-nominals, and the rules governing trustees, Council, elections and amendment.
Revised March 2, 2026 · 12 min read
Conduct
Code of Conduct
The four duties every member accepts: the public interest, professional competence and integrity, duty to relevant authority and duty to the profession.
Revised March 2, 2026 · 9 min read
Conduct
Complaints and Disciplinary Procedure
How allegations against members and certificants are received, screened, investigated and determined, and the sanctions and appeal rights that follow.
Revised 2026 · 11 min read
Policy
Conflicts of Interest Policy
Declarations required from trustees, Council members, committee members, assessors, staff and volunteers, and how conflicts are registered and managed.
Revised 2026 · 9 min read
Accountability
Annual Report and Accounts 2025-26
The trustees' report and audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026: strategy, membership and certification activity, finances and reserves.
Revised October 15, 2026 · 10 min read
Policy
Whistleblowing and Public Interest Disclosure Policy
Safe, confidential channels for members, staff, volunteers and contractors to raise concerns about wrongdoing at the Society without fear of retaliation.
Revised July 1, 2026 · 7 min read
Stand for election
Professional members and Fellows may stand for Council and for trustee vacancies each spring. Volunteering on a committee is one of the fastest routes to Fellowship.