(7.27.26) – The Concord Coalition is excited to announce the appointment of three new members to its Board of Directors: Former U.S. Rep. and Ambassador Richard Swett, former Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta President Dennis Lockhart, and corporate executive Kevin Kapala.
The new board members bring experience in business, public service, diplomacy, monetary policy and economic leadership at a time when the national debt is approaching $40 trillion.
“The Concord Coalition educates, engages and empowers citizens to demand honest budgeting, real trade-offs and a credible plan to address America’s unsustainable debt,” said Carolyn Bourdeaux, executive director of The Concord Coalition. “Swett, Lockhart and Kapala, each bring a serious, practical perspective to this work, and their experience will help strengthen our efforts to educate the public and push policymakers to stop delaying the hard choices this moment requires.”
Ambassador Richard Swett, former U.S. Representative from New Hampshire and U.S. ambassador to Denmark, said lasting solutions require trust, discipline and a willingness to work across party lines.
“The Concord Coalition is focused on educating citizens to help them hold Washington accountable for the budget choices it makes and the costs it passes on to future generations,” Swett said. “I am honored to join that effort.”
Dennis Lockhart, former president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, said rising debt has real consequences for the economy.
“Persistent deficits and rising debt can mean higher borrowing costs, reduced fiscal flexibility and greater pressure on future growth,” Lockhart said. “The Concord Coalition brings a clear-eyed, nonpartisan approach to encouraging policymakers to confront these challenges before they become more difficult and more costly to solve.”
Kevin Kapala, former Vice President and Corporate Officer of bp Products North America, said Concord Coalition’s work is critical to helping the country confront long-term fiscal risk.
“Throughout my career, I’ve learned that the strongest organizations confront difficult challenges before they become crises,” Kapala said. “Concord Coalition brings that same disciplined, bipartisan approach to one of our nation’s most important long-term challenges. I’m honored to join the Board and look forward to helping advance its mission through thoughtful governance, public engagement, and practical solutions.
