Independent Directors Council Names Jonathan F. Zeschin as Chair and Elects Four Governing Council Members

Washington, DC, October 6, 2016—The Governing Council of the Independent Directors Council (IDC) has elected Jon Zeschin as its Chair. Zeschin, who has served as IDC Vice Chair for the past year, is an independent trustee and board chair of Matthews Asia Funds.

Paul K. Freeman, who has just completed his second year as IDC Chair, is now IDC Chair Emeritus. Freeman is an independent director of Deutsche Funds. 

“I am honored to serve as Chair of IDC,” Zeschin said. “The job of independent directors is more complex and important than ever before, making IDC’s mission critical to the continued success of mutual fund governance. Paul Freeman, the entire Governing Council, and IDC’s talented staff have prepared us exceptionally well to meet the challenges that lie ahead.”

Freeman said, “I have greatly enjoyed my two-year term chairing IDC, a group that brings complex issues into focus for mutual fund independent directors, helping them to fulfill their role as fiduciaries to fund investors. As IDC’s vice chair, Jon Zeschin has been a very dedicated and capable leader. I know he will bring these and other strong qualities to his new role as Chair.”

IDC Managing Director Amy Lancellotta added, “We are grateful for Paul Freeman’s outstanding service as IDC Chair. His tremendous leadership has greatly benefited the organization. Based on Jon Zeschin’s deep experience and many accomplishments, I am confident that on his watch, IDC will successfully pursue its goal of supporting fund independent directors.”

The Governing Council recently elected four new members to serve four-year terms:

• Gale K. Caruso, Pacific Life Funds and Matthews Asia Funds
• William R. Ebsworth, Wells Fargo Funds
• George J. Gorman, Eaton Vance Funds
• Christopher L. Wilson, TD Asset Management US Funds

IDC serves the fund independent director community by advancing the education, communication, and policy positions of fund independent directors in the United States.

The full membership of the IDC Governing Council is available on the IDC website.