Heritage Foundation Leadership for America

Ted Schelenski is Vice President of Finance and Operations at The Heritage Foundation, where he oversees its accounting, personnel, building administration and business supply departments.

Under Schelenski's direction, the Finance and Operations Department works to make Heritage's operations more efficient to save the money the think tank receives from its 280,000 donors. For example, in 2006, the department saved about $55,000  – enough for an additional policy researcher. How? Schelenski's department trained Heritage's building engineers to do more tasks themselves instead of relying on outside contractors. And it updated Heritage's thermostats and air-conditioning units in our Capitol Hill headquarters to cut down on electric bills.

Schelenski brings more than 30 years of experience in government and business to his position. Before coming to Heritage in 2001, he served as chief of staff to Rep. Philip Crane (R-IL). He also worked 33 years at 3M Corp. in various sales, marketing, and government relations positions, including marketing director of the Federal Systems Department. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees and Executive Committee of the U.S. Capitol Historical Society.

Schelenski graduated from Bradley University in Peoria, Ill., in 1963 with a bachelor's degree in business management. He was a Lieutenant (j.g.) in the Navy from 1963 to 1966 and served in Vietnam. He has two grown children and lives in Crofton, Md.