The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee is governed by a 16-member board of directors and a professional staff headed by a CEO. The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee also has three constituent councils to serve as sources of opinion and advice to the board and U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee staff, including the Athletes’ Advisory Council, National Governing Bodies Council and Affiliate Organization Council. The AAC and NGBC have three representatives on the board, while six members of the board are independent. The CEO of the organization and all American members of the International Olympic Committee are ex-officio members of the board.