Raleigh, N.C. — Red Hat Inc. (NYSE: RHT) announced Monday that retired U.S. Army Gen. H. Hugh Shelton has been elected to serve as chairman of the company's board of directors.

A member of Red Hat's board of directors since April 2003, Shelton previously held the position of lead director and currently serves on the audit and compensation committees. He succeeds Matthew Szulik, former Red Hat CEO.

"General Shelton is an individual of the utmost integrity. He has excelled in the numerous roles and positions held throughout his career and as a dedicated member of Red Hat's board of directors for more than seven years," said Jim Whitehurst, Red Hat president and CEO. "General Shelton possesses the right combination of leadership, experience and industry knowledge to help guide Red Hat toward achieving its future goals."

Shelton became the 14th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest-ranking military officer in the U.S. armed forces and the principal military adviser to the President of the United States, on Oct. 1, 1997, and served two terms.

From January 2002 until April 2006, he served as president, international sales, for M.I.C. Industries, an international manufacturing company. He has served on the boards of several public companies including Protective Products of America, Inc., Anheuser-Busch Companies, CACI International Inc. and Anteon International Corporation.

Shelton received the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award conferred by the U.S. Congress.

Among his other numerous military awards are four Defense Distinguished Service Medals, two Army Distinguished Service Medals, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal for Valor and the Purple Heart.

He has been decorated by 16 foreign governments. Civilian awards include the state of North Carolina's highest award for public service and the Eisenhower Award from the Business Executives for National Security.