Mozilla announced that it now has an interim CEO – Chris Beard, who has also been appointed to the board of directors. He’ll be filling in for Brendan Eich, who stepped down amid controversy surrounding his support for California anti-gay law Prop 8. Mozilla insists he wasn’t forced out, but that’s not exactly the way it’s been perceived in a lot cases.

Beard has been “actively involved with” Mozilla since before Firefox 1.0 was launched, and has served as CMO.

“Chris is the right person to lead us through this time and he is a strong candidate for CEO,” says Executive Chairwoman Mitchell Baker. Mozilla needs to act quickly and decisively. This is key for any leader at Mozilla, including our CEO, whether interim or otherwise. Chris’ experience and insight is highly aligned with our goals. We will continue to deliver Firefox OS to additional markets and form factors in 2014 as we demonstrate the unique user experiences that only the open Web can provide. We will continue to bring the richness and flexibility of the Web to Firefox users and will further integrate our services offerings.”

“The open Web and Mozilla are facing challenges that are very similar to those we faced when we first started Mozilla — centralized business models and technology with barriers to interoperability and new entrants,” she adds. “Today, online life is feature-rich, highly centralized and focused on a few giant organizations that exert control over almost all aspects of the experience. In this environment, there is a deep and urgent need for an open, exciting alternative that shows what the open Web brings to this setting.”

The next steps, she says, include a long-term plan for the CEO role, and adding board members.

Beard is also an Executive in Residence at Greylock Partners.

Image via Greylock Partners