Andrew Arulanandam Named Interim CEO and Executive Vice President of the Powerful National Rifle Association

The National Rifle Association of America has named Andrew Arulanandam, head of general operations, as the interim CEO and executive vice president, the organization announced today. The appointment was made by executive vice president Wayne LaPierre who will step down from his role effective Jan. 31.

Although LaPierre, 74, cited health concerns as the reason for his resignation, an NRA press release mentioned that he is “an individual defendant” in New York Attorney General Tish James’ corruption case. “With respect to the NYAG’s allegations, the NRA Board of Directors reports it has undertaken significant efforts to perform a self-evaluation, recommended termination of disgraced ‘insiders’ and vendors who allegedly abused the Association, and accepted reimbursement, with interest, for alleged excess benefit transactions from LaPierre, as reported in public tax filings.”

James filed a lawsuit in 2020 “to dissolve the NRA, claiming the organization violated laws for non-profit groups and took millions for personal use and committed tax fraud,” CNN reported at the time. In the lawsuit, she alleged the current and former NRA leadership, “instituted a culture of self-dealing mismanagement” benefiting themselves, family, friends and favored vendors, leading the organization to lose more than $63 million in three years,” CNN added.

In an NRA statement, La Pierre said Arulanandam, who served as his longtime spokesperson, “knows every facet of this organization and has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with me in every arena imaginable. Andrew knows how to help the NRA win – he’s been one of the key authors of our playbook for decades.”

No biographical details are available about Arulanandam. His social media profiles on X and Instagram are private. 

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He joined the NRA in 2000, his LinkedIn profile says. He also worked with the NRA Institute for Legislative Action, the lobbying arm of the NRA, according to No Lawyers – Only Guns and Money, a website covering various topics related to bearing firearms. “During his career, he has assisted with a wide range of corporate initiatives, messaging and crisis communications programs, and events at the local, regional, and national levels,” the website said.  

On his LinkedIn profile, Arulanandam describes himself as an “accomplished and visionary leader with a proven track record of managing strategic communications, media relations, and public affairs to drive success.”

He has held numerous senior leadership positions in private and public organizations before joining the NRA. He worked as manager of government relations at Idaho Housing and Finance Association, and as executive director of the Idaho Republican Party. Before that he was senior policy advisor of Idaho Gov. Phil Batt and finance director for Batt’s gubernatorial campaign.