United States Agency for Global Media

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) CEO Michael Pack announced that he has selected James M. Miles to serve as Acting CEO of the Open Technology Fund (OTF). A USAGM grantee, OTF supports the research, development, implementation, and sustainability of technologies that facilitate the free flow of information, increase at-risk users’ digital security, and enable free expression.

“I am pleased that James has accepted this unique offer to serve the country,” said CEO Pack. “He brings a wealth of knowledge from extensive professional experience involving business, the law, management of non-profits, and major public office.” CEO Pack added, “Bolstering firewall circumvention is a top priority of my three-year term at the agency, and Jim will bring much-needed new leadership to OTF, which has a critical role to play in advancing global freedom of expression and the American national interest.”

Mr. Miles served as the 40^th Secretary of State of South Carolina from 1991 to 2003, and is a founding partner of Haynsworth Baldwin and Miles, a law firm in Greensville, South Carolina that specializes in labor relations law. Also, he has been an adjunct professor of labor law at the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina, and has represented companies in all areas of labor law.

Mr. Miles has further served on committees of volunteer organizations, including the American Cancer Society, Greenville Chamber of Commerce, and Donaldson Airport Economic Commission. He has been awarded an honorary doctorate in Philosophy from the College of Charleston, the Order of the Palmetto (the highest citizenship honor conferred in South Carolina), and the Palmetto Patriot Award (the highest honor conferred by the South Carolina Lieutenant Governor’s office). Mr. Miles received his AB in Political Science from Duke University and JD from the University of North Carolina School of Law.

“We should be very optimistic,” said Mr. Miles, “that the U.S., armed with a virtually limitless supply of technical talent and entrepreneurial spirit, can make great progress in circumventing firewalls. This is a key component of the USAGM enterprise.”