David Kass Transitions to New Role at Council for a Strong America

After 15 years at the helm of Council for a Strong America (CSA), David Kass is taking on a new role as Special Counsel to the Board of Directors. Barry Ford, who joined CSA in early 2015 and has served as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President since 2017, has been named Acting President and Chief Executive Officer.

“While I’m thrilled with the prospect of new opportunities, this wasn’t an easy decision to make,” Kass said. “I’ve had an amazing journey alongside a team that has grown CSA into an organization of 9,000 members from five pillars of society working to win policy victories that prepare kids and teens for productive lives. There have been many great moments - particularly our opportunity to celebrate the Bipartisan Budget passed in February, which protected and even expanded some programs that have been proven to put kids on a path to successful futures.

“Although I’m looking forward to new horizons, I can’t go too far just yet. After some great discussions with my team and our board, I’ve agreed to stay on as Special Counsel until the end of the year. I will be a resource to the Board and to Barry as he undertakes his role as Acting President and Chief Executive Officer.”

“The work and the impact of CSA under David’s leadership is the reason I joined CSA in early 2015,” Ford said. “I am honored to be entrusted with the stewardship of this organization, and know that our talented staff and our amazing members throughout the country will enable CSA to continue its role as one of the preeminent advocacy organizations in the country.”

David Kass joined CSA in 2003 as the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids. Today, CSA brings together five organizations:

• More than 5,000 police chiefs, sheriffs and prosecutors, as members of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, working to reduce crime by promoting policies that prepare youth for lives free of the criminal justice system.

• More than 700 retired admirals and generals, as members of Mission: Readiness improving national security by addressing the reasons why 71 percent of the nation’s young adults are ineligible to serve in the military;

• More than 2,000 business leaders, as members of ReadyNation, who are strengthening the future workforce by promoting policies and programs that improve academic success and postsecondary and career readiness;

• More than 800 faith leaders, as members of Shepherding the Next Generation, advocating for bipartisan faith-and research-based solutions for supporting strong, educated and moral families; and

• More than 400 top athletes and coaches, as members of Champions for America’s Future, who promote programs that prepare at-risk kids to succeed in life.

Barry Ford joined CSA in March of 2015 as the Director of State Offices. In that role, he managed a staff of 24 professionals and an annual budget of $3.6 million. He became the Vice President of State Operations & Policy in January of 2017, and the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in October of 2017. As the Acting President and Chief Executive Officer, Ford will continue leading CSA’s successful efforts to strengthen the nation by promoting policies and programs that prepare young people for productive lives.

“The voices of our members are critical to the promotion of those policies and practices that make our nation strong, because they are able to showcase the vital connection between public investments in our next generation and the future success of our country,” Ford said. “I am committed to the continued growth and engagement of our memberships on these issues.”

Ford brings more than 30 years of professional experience as a government official, lawyer, non-profit executive, and political candidate to this new role. Prior to joining the staff of the Council for a Strong America, Ford served as the Director of Public Affairs and Advocacy for the United States Tennis Association (USTA), where he led the USTA’s efforts to build and deepen its relationships with public sector policymakers at every level of government, and to expand the availability of quality tennis programming and facilities throughout the country. 

Ford’s experience includes being a local lobbyist in New York City, a two-time candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, and an associate with the international law firm Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton. He is a graduate of Harvard Law School and Harvard College.