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title: "Governance"
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The CentOS Project governance structure has two main tiers: 

* The Governing Board, a group of 8 to 11 people, responsible for overall
  oversight of the CentOS Project

* Special Interest Groups (SIGs), teams within the community that focus on
  either enabling a technology solution as an add-on to the core CentOS
  release, or building and maintaining a functional aspect of the Project, such
  as infrastructure or documentation.

<figure class="figure">
  <img class="figure-img img-fluid" src="/about/governance/governance-greenhouse.png" alt="Image describing the board">
  <figcaption class="figure-caption">The Governing Board is like a greenhouse, providing support for starting and maturing a SIG the way a greenhouse uses sunlight, water, nutrients, and soil to turn seeds in to fruiting plants.</figcaption>
</figure>

## The CentOS Governing Board

The focus of the Governing Board is to assist and guide in the progress and
development of the various SIGs, as well as to lead and promote CentOS.

The CentOS Governing Board is the governing body responsible for the overall
oversight of the CentOS Project and SIGs, the creation of new SIGs, and the
election (and re-election) of new board members. The Board also has the
responsibility to ensure the goals, brands, and marks of the CentOS Project and
community are protected. The Board serves as the final authority within the
CentOS Project.

## Current Sitting Board

The initial CentOS Governing Board will be made up of members of the CentOS
Project, many of whom have been around since the creation of the Project, as
well as new members from Red Hat who were instrumental in bringing the new
relationship together. 

The CentOS Governing Board is:

* [Brian Exelbierd](https://wiki.centos.org/BrianExelbierd) ([Liaison](/about/governance/board-responsibilities/#red-hat-liaison-responsibilities))
* [Johnny Hughes](https://wiki.centos.org/JohnnyHughes)
* [Tru Huynh](https://wiki.centos.org/TruHuynh)
* [Mike McLean](https://wiki.centos.org/MikeMcLean)
* [Thomas Oulevey](https://wiki.centos.org/ThomasOulevey) (Secretary)
* [Jim Perrin](https://wiki.centos.org/JimPerrin)
* [Pat Riehecky](https://wiki.centos.org/PatrickRiehecky)
* [Karanbir Singh](https://wiki.centos.org/KaranbirSingh) ([Chair](/about/governance/board-responsibilities/#chair-responsibilities))
* [Carl Trieloff](https://wiki.centos.org/CarlTrieloff)
* [Karsten Wade](https://wiki.centos.org/KarstenWade)

Also in regular attendance:

* [Rich Bowen](https://wiki.centos.org/RichBowen) (Community Architect, attendee ex-officio)

## More information

* [Governing Board responsibilities](/about/governance/board-responsibilities)
* [SIGs](/about/governance/sigs)
* [Joining the project](/about/governance/joining-the-project)
* [Voting](/about/governance/voting)
* [Appendix:  Glossary](/about/governance/appendix-glossary)