Beth Comstock and Lyndon Rive Elected to National Geographic Society Board of Trustees

News provided by

Jan 18, 2018, 12:29 ET

WASHINGTON, Jan. 18, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Geographic Society today announced the election of two new members to its Board of Trustees: business and marketing leader Beth Comstock and solar energy pioneer and entrepreneur Lyndon Rive. The announcement was made by Jean Case, chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Gary E. Knell, the Society's president and chief executive officer. Comstock and Rive join the 17-member Board and will each serve an initial four-year term.

"We are delighted to welcome Beth and Lyndon to the National Geographic Society Board of Trustees," said Case. "Throughout their trailblazing careers, Beth and Lyndon have been visionary changemakers who understand how to leverage disruption and transform landscapes for good. Their business experience coupled with the passion they both share for National Geographic's mission is a perfect fit with the Board and the organization as we continue to build upon National Geographic's 130-year legacy and chart the course for our future."

Comstock was most recently Vice Chair of General Electric Co., where she led efforts to accelerate new growth and innovation. Over two decades at GE, Comstock initiated the company's digital and clean-energy transformations, developed new businesses, increased GE's brand value and partnered to enhance its inventive culture. She also led the creation of Current, an intelligent environments business; GE Ventures & Licensing; FastWorks; Ecomagination and Healthymagination businesses; and oversaw GE Lighting. In addition, she was responsible for the sales, marketing and communications functions and was the company's first Chief Marketing Officer in 20 years.

Her first book, "Imagine It Forward," offers life lessons in change and transformation within organizations. It will be published in September 2018 by Currency, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

Comstock is also a director at Nike. She graduated from the College of William & Mary with a degree in biology.

Rive was most recently President, Global Sales and Service at Tesla for Energy. He co-founded and was CEO of SolarCity, which was acquired by Tesla in 2016. Under his leadership, SolarCity became the No. 1 solar company in the world to consumers and businesses and one of the most recognizable brands in clean energy. SolarCity completed more than 300,000 solar installations in the United States — representing approximately one out of every four solar electricity installations in American history — and created funds to finance more than $10 billion in renewable energy projects.

Prior to SolarCity, Rive cofounded Everdream, an industry leader in software and services for large-scale, distributed computer management. Rive negotiated the company's partnership with Dell Inc., which acquired Everdream in 2007.

Rive also serves on the boards of GivePower, World Spine Care and Off Grid Electric.

"Beth and Lyndon are great examples of the kinds of bold people with transformative ideas that have helped shape the National Geographic Society over the years," said Knell. "Their innovative leadership will greatly benefit the Society as we look to increase the impact of our work and drive the creation of a planet in balance."

About the National Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society is a leading nonprofit that invests in bold people and transformative ideas in the fields of exploration, scientific research, storytelling and education. The Society aspires to create a community of change, advancing key insights about the planet and probing some of the most pressing scientific questions of our time, all while ensuring that the next generation is armed with geographic knowledge and global understanding. Its goal is measurable impact: furthering exploration and educating people around the world to inspire solutions for the greater good. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.org.

SOURCE National Geographic Society