Ms. Frances Townsend is an Executive Vice President at MacAndrews & Forbes. Prior to this role, she was a corporate partner at the law firm Baker Botts, LLP. She chaired the Homeland Security Council from May 2004 until January 2008, and served as Assistant to President George W. Bush for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism. Under the administrations of George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush, Ms. Townsend spent thirteen years at the U.S. Department of Justice. She serves on the board of directors at three public companies and three private companies. Ms. Townsend is also a trustee of the New York City Police Foundation and the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Trilateral Commission.