Wakefield, MA – The Board of Directors of Massachusetts Family Institute announced today that Ian Huyett has been named the Institute’s new president. Ian succeeds former MFI president Andrew Beckwith who earlier this year accepted a leadership position at Southern Wesleyan University, a Christian liberal arts institute located in South Carolina. Andrew will continue his relationship with MFI as president emeritus.
“We are extremely grateful for the outstanding leadership that Andrew provided MFI for over a decade; he played a major role in bringing the organization to a new level,” said David Stubblebine, MFI’s Chairman.
As president, Andrew was an outstanding spokesman for the family, persuasively articulating the values for which MFI stands. In the increasingly anti-Christian culture in the Commonwealth, under his leadership, MFI became the go-to organization that MA citizens, churches, schools, and other institutions turned to when religious liberty and constitutional rights were threatened. Andrew oversaw remarkable growth, leading MFI to more than double its staff and revenues during his tenure.
David added, “On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, I want to thank Andrew for his remarkable service to MFI and the state of MA. We wish him great success in his new position at Southern Wesleyan University.”
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The MFI Board unanimously elected Ian Huyett as president, effective on September 11, 2023. Ian comes to MFI after serving as the head of litigation for Cornerstone, the family policy council in New Hampshire.
Ian Huyett is a 2018 graduate of Washington and Lee University School of Law, where he was an avid competitor in moot court competitions. As a law student, he interned with the General Counsel’s Office for “Cru,” formerly known as Campus Crusade for Christ. He completed a trial court clerkship in Staunton, Virginia before working in litigation with a regional law firm in New Hampshire.
A prolific independent scholar, Ian has written law review articles and other academic work on law and religion.
As Cornerstone’s Head of Litigation, he represented over thirty churches in successfully challenging aspects of New Hampshire’s COVID-19 shutdown orders. He has also represented Christian clients in cases ranging from student free speech litigation to religious discrimination matters. Working with New Hampshire legislators, Ian drafted and successfully lobbied for multiple bills, including legislation to protect religious and civil liberties and to safeguard the most vulnerable among us.
Ian commented that “It’s an honor to follow in Andrew Beckwith’s footsteps and have the opportunity to fight alongside such a formidable team. I look forward to strengthening MFI’s position as Massachusetts’ leading Christian organization, expanding our litigation capacity, and building coalitions with other communities who share our values and commitment to religious liberty.”
The Board is confident that Ian will be an excellent leader and will continue to advance the mission of MFI.
Robert H. Bradley, Founder and currently Vice-Chairman of MFI commented on Huyett’s appointment: “We are very fortunate, indeed, to have such a fine leader step into Andrew’s shoes. The MFI Board hired a firm to do a national search for Andrew Beckwith’s successor. As a result of this search, the Board was thrilled to be able to engage a leader with Ian’s background. He is an accomplished graduate of a top-tier law school and he has considerable experience in public policy in New England. We believe that Ian is the right person to bring Massachusetts Family Institute to the next level of influence here in the Commonwealth.”
