Video game giant Activision Blizzard announced Frances Townsend has joined the company as executive vice president for corporate affairs and has been appointed by the board of directors to serve as corporate secretary and chief compliance officer. Townsend will oversee government affairs, public policy, and communications among other corporate functions.

“Fran is a highly regarded public servant and corporate executive. We are very fortunate to have her wealth of experience added to our leadership team,” said CEO Bobby Kotick in a press release. “Our company will benefit greatly from her energy, intellect and stewardship.”

Townsend most recently served as vice chairman, general counsel and chief administrative officer at MacAndrews & Forbes. Prior to that, she was a corporate partner with Baker Botts. From 2004-08, Townsend served as the assistant for homeland security and counterterrorism to President George W. Bush and chaired the Homeland Security Council. She also served as deputy national security advisor for combating terrorism from 2003-04 and spent 13 years at the Department of Justice under the administrations of Presidents George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush.

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