Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals Announces Departure of President and CEO Kenneth A. Bertsch

NEW YORK, Sept. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of the Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals (the "Society") announces that Kenneth A. Bertsch, President and Chief Executive Officer since 2010, will be stepping down and leaving the Society to take a prominent role with a newly-formed corporate governance advisory firm. 

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Board Chairman Wendi Bickett states, "On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Society, I want to express our sincere gratitude to Ken for his dedication and service over the past three years.  His leadership has taken the Society to a higher level in many areas, including those of educational programming and policy and advocacy, and he effectively managed the Society's business and financial condition during his tenure. We appreciate all that Ken has done and wish him the best in his new position."

"It has been a privilege to lead the Society," Mr. Bertsch said. "The organization is in a solid position to continue to grow in all areas.  We have a strong leadership team in place that will see the organization through to an exciting future.  We also have a strategic plan that will enable the Society to become even more successful at assisting its members and their organizations in implementing sound corporate governance practices in furtherance of business growth and innovation."

The Board of Directors will establish a Succession Committee, to be chaired by Society Chairman-Elect, Douglas K. Chia, to identify Mr. Bertsch's successor.  Mr. Bertsch will remain with the Society as President/CEO for a transitional period currently expected to last through the end of 2013.

About the Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals
The Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals, Inc. is a non-profit organization comprised principally of corporate secretaries and business executives in governance, ethics and compliance functions at public, private and not-for-profit organizations. Members are responsible for supporting their board of directors and executive management in matters such as board practices, compliance, regulation and legal matters, shareholder relations and subsidiary management. http://governanceprofessionals.org

SOURCE Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals