Facebook has asked tech veteran according to Kara Swisher at All Things D. The deal isn't finalized, apparently, but Andreessen has "verbally agreed" to the commitment.to join its board of directors,
The Netscape founder is currently at the helm of his own social-networking site, Ning, which lets Web users create their own branded community sites without technical expertise. Because of its focus on niche communities rather than mass communication, it's not a direct Facebook competitor.
Facebook, meanwhile, has been padding its ranks with seasoned industry leaders as a means of competing with the Valley's biggest names. Google sales executive Sheryl Sandberg was, and this week it was announced that Google communications czar Elliot Schrage would be as well.
Current Facebook board members include Accel Partners' Jim Breyer and PayPal co-founder and Founders Fund investor Peter Thiel.