Kelly Ayotte joins defense contractor’s board of directors

Defense contractor BAE Systems has appointed former Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) to its board of directors for a three-year term, starting this month.

In a statement announcing the move, the firm praised Ayotte’s “distinctive blend of skills and experience from her tenure in public service as an elected U.S. Senator, three appointments as New Hampshire’s Attorney General, as well as her highly regarded expertise in national security and advocacy for military readiness and our service men and women.” 

Ayotte served in the Senate from 2011 until January 2017, after losing her seat in the 2016 election. 

{mosads}She worked on the Senate Armed Services Committee, chairing the subcommittee on readiness. After her term ended in January, she helped President Trump’s White House with the confirmation process for Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch.

Michael Chertoff, chairman of BAE’s board of directors, said Ayotte is “highly respected on both sides of the aisle” and has a strong knowledge of national defense and homeland security matters. 

Ayotte had also been floated as a contender to replace former FBI Director James Comey.