The National Rifle Association (NRA) announced that retired Marine Lt. Col. Oliver North will be the organization’s next President “within a few weeks,” the organization said Monday.
Lt. Colonel Oliver North Poised to Become NRA President. “Most exciting news for NRA members since Charlton Heston Became President of Our Association,” Wayne LaPierre said. Full press release: https://t.co/O8I7F0V1Xl
— NRATV (@NRATV) May 7, 2018
The NRA Board initiated the process Monday morning, it said.
North, 74, is a retired Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel, best-selling author and TV host, as he hosted “War Stories with Oliver North” on Fox News from 2001 to 2016. North was a platoon commander during the Vietnam War. He was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal with Combat V and two Purple Heart medals for his service.
“This is the most exciting news for our members since Charlton Heston became President of our Association,” NRA Executive Vice President and CEO Wayne LaPierre said in a press release. “Oliver North is a legendary warrior for American freedom, a gifted communicator and skilled leader. In these times, I can think of no one better suited to serve as our President.”
JUST IN: Lt. Col. Oliver North to become @NRA president, organization says https://t.co/jwuyWB6DbE pic.twitter.com/s485GIg5rp
— Fox News (@FoxNews) May 7, 2018
North said he was retiring from Fox News immediately and was excited to take on the role.
“I am honored to have been selected by the NRA Board to soon serve as this great organization’s President,” North said. “I appreciate the board initiating a process that affords me a few weeks to set my affairs in order, and I am eager to hit the ground running as the new NRA President.”
Former NRA President Pete Brownell announced Monday morning that he would not seek re-election for a second term in order to devote time to his family business.
He endorsed North in a letter to the board.
“Discussing this with [CEO] Wayne LaPierre, he suggested we reach out to a warrior amongst our board members, Lt. Colonel Oliver North, to succeed me. Wayne and I feel that in these extraordinary times, a leader with his history as a communicator and resolute defender of the Second Amendment is precisely what the NRA needs,” Brownell said. “After consulting with NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris Cox, First Vice President Childress and Second Vice President Meadows, I can report there is extraordinary support for Lt. Colonel North.”
“Pete has served the NRA with great courage and distinction,” LaPierre said. “I am grateful that he joined me in enthusiastically recommending Oliver North to the Board of Directors.”
Second Vice President Carolyn Meadows will serve as interim President.
