SHRM Names Hank Jackson President and CEO

LAS VEGAS, June 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Henry G. (Hank) Jackson, who has overseen growth in membership at the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and one of the largest annual conferences in the Society's history, has been named president and chief executive officer.

Since becoming interim president and CEO in July 2010, Jackson has focused the 255,000-member Society on a successful pathway to long-term growth, including strengthening membership, developing new products and services, building global capabilities and engaging senior human resources leaders and their organizations.

Jackson, a seasoned executive who has overseen finance, technology and HR departments, is the sixth CEO in SHRM's 63-year history. The appointment was a unanimous choice by SHRM's Board of Directors after a national search.

"We were looking for the ideal candidate — a person with the right vision, the right skills and the expertise to bring this organization through the next phase of its growth, and that person is Hank Jackson," said Jose A. Berrios, board chair.

Jackson has been with SHRM for more than five years and, in a previous role as chief global finance and business affairs officer, led SHRM's critical business functions, including finance and accounting, information technology, organizational programs, publishing and e-media, and global marketing.

"I am honored and excited about the opportunity to advance SHRM's mission," Jackson said. "We must always strive to know what's next, and I look forward to leading this charge. To our membership, I want you to know that I am dedicated to serving you, while reinforcing SHRM's position as a thought leader on key issues affecting the workplace."

During a challenging economic time in the last year, the Society has grown membership and attracted more than 18,000 people to the 2011 Annual Conference and Exposition being held this week in Las Vegas.

Jackson also has led the Society's initiatives to educate HR professionals and organizations on the employment issues facing military veterans. Jackson was at the White House launch of the "Joining Forces" initiative to support military families this spring, and he testified earlier this month before the U.S. House Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Before he joined SHRM, Jackson served as senior vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Additionally, he has held senior positions with the firms Main Hurdman and KMPG and with the Southern Association of College and University Officers.

Jackson holds a bachelor's of science degree in accounting from Stonehill College in Massachusetts. He is a certified public accountant.

He succeeds Laurence G. "Lon" O'Neil, who resigned last year.

About the Society for Human Resource Management

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is the world's largest association devoted to human resource management. Representing more than 255,000 members in more than 140 countries, the Society serves the needs of HR professionals and advances the interests of the HR profession. Founded in 1948, SHRM has more than 575 affiliated chapters within the United States and subsidiary offices in China and India. Visit SHRM Online at www.shrm.org and follow us on Twitter @SHRMPress.

SOURCE Society for Human Resource Management