The Department of State today announced Secretary Rubio's intent to appoint four distinguished Americans to serve as Directors on the Board of the United States Foundation for Natural Security and Counterterrorism (USFNSC): Samuel Robson Walton, L. Daniel Hammond, Joseph C. Semsar, and Dr. Ari Novy.
Samuel Robson Walton
Samuel Robson "Rob" Walton is the Founder of the Rob Walton Foundation and is an owner with his family of the Denver Broncos. He previously served as Chairman of Walmart from 1992 to 2015, helping grow the company into a global brand and one of the world's largest enterprises. Through the Rob Walton Foundation, Walton has supported efforts to protect terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems.
L. Daniel Hammond
L. Daniel "Dan" Hammond is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of American Hometown Media, where he leads a portfolio of community-focused media brands celebrating positive stories from across America. Prior to that he founded and led Publishing Group of America which produced the largest successful magazine launch in U.S. history, and American Hometown Publishing, the largest owner-operator of community newspapers in the Southeast. An avid outdoorsman, Hammond has a longstanding connection to hunting, conservation, and responsible land stewardship. He served the past 25 years as a Board Member of the Tennessee Wildlife Federation.
Joseph C. Semsar
Joseph "Joe" C. Semsar is Head of Sovereign AI at Reflection AI, where he leads the company's work with governments and strategic partners to build secure, sovereign artificial intelligence capabilities that advance national competitiveness, resilience, and technological leadership. His work sits at the intersection of artificial intelligence, national security, economic policy, and public-private partnerships. Semsar previously served as a senior executive at the New York Stock Exchange and as Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade during the first Trump Administration.
Dr. Ari Novy
Dr. Ari Novy is the Elizabeth Newman Wilds Executive Director of Cornell Botanic Gardens. A plant biologist by training, Novy previously served as President and CEO of the San Diego Botanic Garden and as Executive Director of the United States Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C. He has held academic and advisory appointments with institutions including the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and has contributed to national and international initiatives focused on plant conservation and environmental policy.
The Department looks forward to working with these four qualified individuals on the USFNSC Board to establish the Foundation as a durable, results-oriented vehicle for American leadership in natural resource security and conservation. By effectively pairing private philanthropy with U.S. government efforts, the Foundation can support partner country activities to protect some of the world's most important ecosystems under their own national jurisdiction while strengthening cooperation, promoting peace and prosperity, and advancing U.S. interests abroad.
The appointments are subject to completion of all applicable processes and requirements.
