The Association of Governing Boards (AGB) appointed Ross Mugler as its president and CEO after a year serving in an interim role. Mugler, a long‑time Old Dominion University trustee and former Virginia commissioner of revenue, will lead AGB’s nonpartisan governance work and has committed to a three‑year term. AGB board chair Paul Brajcich credited Mugler with raising the organization’s visibility and operational efficiency during his interim tenure. Mugler’s selection follows a period of intense scrutiny on board governance across higher education and comes as institutions face political pressure, funding shifts, and questions about institutional autonomy. His background as a state trustee and rector positions him to steer AGB’s advocacy for board training, institutional independence, and stewardship practices. The appointment matters for trustees and presidents who look to AGB for best practices and guidance; Mugler said he will prioritize protecting institutional autonomy and equipping boards to lead strategically amid heightened external intervention.