OpenSSL Corporation Board of Directors Election Announcement

The OpenSSL Corporation is announcing an election for its Board of Directors in February.

Please visit our Corporation Members page at https://openssl-corporation.org/about/members/, to view the list of individuals eligible to cast ballots.

What is at Stake

This year’s election addresses several board positions:

  • Tim Hudson’s one-year term is expiring. This seat is now open for a 3-year term.
  • A seat is vacant due to Hugo Landau’s resignation in 2024, leaving a 2-year term vacancy
  • Anton Arapov’s term continues for one more year and is not up for election.

As a result, the OpenSSL Corporation has two (2) open Board seats in this election:

  1. One(1) seat for a 3-year term
  2. One(1) seat for a 2-year term

Depending on the number of nominees, the structure of the election will vary:

  • If a single nominee comes forward, we will run an election for the 3-year seat.
  • If more than one nomination is received, we will hold an election for each seat. This approach assures Corporation Members can decide which seat each nominee fills – or whether any seat should remain vacant.

Following the election in February, the official results will be announced publicly. The individuals elected to these seats will begin their terms on March 1, 2025.

Timeline

  • February 17 - 21, 2025:
    • Nominations period
  • February 24 - 28, 2025:
    • Voting period for all Corporation Members
  • February 28, 2025:
    • Announcement of election results on the OpenSSL Corporation Blog
  • March 1, 2025:
    • Newly elected Board of Directors assume their positions

How to Nominate

The nominations period runs from Monday, February 17 to Friday, February 21, 2025. This is an opportunity for dedicated individuals to contribute to the governance and strategic directions of the OpenSSL Corporation. To submit a nomination, please send an email to oss-directors@openssl.org with the following information:

  • Full name of a nominee
  • Contact information

Who Votes & How

  • Voting Eligibility: Only current Corporation Members are eligible to vote.

  • Visibility:

    • The fact that a Board of Directors Election is taking place is public.
    • Who is allowed to vote is public.
    • Who nominates candidates will also be public.
    • The voting details, including who votes for whom and the vote count, are not public. (The actual votes are only visible to the members—each member can see how every other member votes.)

  • Want to Influence the Outcome? If you have a strong perspective on who you believe would best serve the OpenSSL Corporation Board of Directors, we encourage you to contact an OpenSSL Corporation Member. Remember, only Corporation Members have the authority to vote, so sharing your input with them is the most effective way to support your preferred candidate.

Board Responsibilities

According to the OpenSSL Corporation Board of Directors page, the Board bears the primary responsibility for ensuring the OpenSSL Corporation fulfills its mission while maintaining the highest standards of governance and accountability. Key functions include:

  1. Strategic Leadership
    • Establishing and maintaining the long-term vision and objectives of the OpenSSL Corporation
    • Setting priorities that reflect the broader interests of the open-source and security communities
  2. Financial Oversight
    • Approving budgets, overseeing financial performance, and ensuring responsible resource allocation
    • Evaluating and mitigating financial risks in alignment with organizational goals
  3. Operational Management
    • Guiding day-to-day operational frameworks to ensure efficiency and adherence to industry best practices
    • Overseeing policy development and implementation
  4. Compliance and Risk Management
    • Monitoring compliance with legal, regulatory, and ethical standards
    • Identifying, assessing, and mitigating any risks that could adversely affect the OpenSSL Corporation’s mission and reputation
  5. Community and Stakeholder Engagement
    • Serving as representatives of the OpenSSL Corporation’s interests at conferences, industry events, and within broader open-source circles
    • Fostering transparency and collaboration among developers, members, and key partners
  6. Project Integrity
    • Supporting and safeguarding the development of the OpenSSL Library software to maintain high-security standards and dependability
    • Encouraging contributions that promote innovation and trust in the OpenSSL Mission ecosystem

Next Steps

The OpenSSL Corporation encourages all of its Members to make their votes count by evaluating the nominees’ qualifications and selecting those who will best serve the OpenSSL Corporation’s long-term interests. If you are not a Corporation Member but have strong opinions regarding the nominees, please share your thoughts with a Corporation Member so they can consider your viewpoint.

Thank you for your continued support and commitment to the OpenSSL Library. We look forward to a transparent and engaging election process this February!

For More Information

Visit our Corporation Members page to learn more about the individuals who will be voting. Stay tuned to our website and social media channels for updates and instructions leading up to the election. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us via corporation@openssl.org.