CT Native Named New Moderator Of CBS' Face The Nation

CBS News has named Connecticut native Margaret Brennan as the new moderator of its popular Sunday morning political program, Face the Nation, the 10th person to moderate the long-running show.

A member of CBS News since 2012, Brennan replaces John Dickerson, who became a co-host on "CBS This Morning" in January. Her first broadcast as the new moderator will this Sunday, Feb. 25.

"Face the Nation is one of the longest-running traditions in television," said CBS News President David Rhodes in a statement. "Margaret's coverage of the White House and the world make her the ideal moderator for this legendary CBS News franchise at this moment in time."

Added Brennan, "Both domestically and globally, news is breaking at an unrelenting pace. Face the Nation has long been the place that viewers across the country rely on to make sense of it all by cutting through the noise to break down what matters and how it affects our daily lives. I am deeply honored and excited to carry on Face the Nation's tradition of helping provide this crucial context to our viewers."

Brennan was born in Stamford, grew up in Danbury and graduated with honors from Sacred Heart Greenwich, which was called Convent of the Sacred Heart in Greenwich when she attended the school. She also graduated with highest distinction from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor's degree in Foreign Affairs and Middle East Studies with a minor in Arabic, according to her CBS News bio.

According to The New York Times, Brennan is the second woman to moderate the influential show after Lesley Stahl who held the post from 1983 to 1991.

"Margaret's ability to ask newsmakers tough but fair questions in a deft and respectful manner, her sharp news instincts, and her tremendous ability to make complicated subjects understandable make her the perfect person to lead us into the next chapter of the broadcast," stated Mary Hager, Executive Producer of Face the Nation. "The entire Face the Nation team is thrilled she's taking over the anchor spot."

Photo: CBS News correspondent Margaret Brennan arrives at the 7th Annual Women in the World Summit opening night at the David H. Koch Theater on Wednesday, April 6, 2016, in New York. Photo credit Evan Agostini/AP