In 2014, GitHub announced a leadership change with cofounder Chris Wanstrath stepping into the role of CEO, while Tom Preston-Werner, another cofounder, assumed the position of President. This transition was made to leverage their individual strengths effectively, with Chris focusing on leading the company and defining its vision, and Tom concentrating on research, development, and growth opportunities. Despite the formalization of these roles, GitHub maintained its flexible approach to role definitions, emphasizing that titles were primarily used for clarity in communicating responsibilities internally and externally. The shift had already been informally in place for several months prior to the public announcement, and both leaders expressed enthusiasm for the company's future in the new year.