Nearly a year after the departure of its former CEO, the SHRM Board of Directors finally ended its search for a new leader today (Sunday June 26) by naming interim CEO Henry “Hank” Jackson as it’s permanent president and chief operating officer at the Opening General Session of the SHRM Conference here in Las Vegas.
Board Chair Jose Berrios made the announcement by noting that SHRM is “exceptionally positioned for the future … much of it due to interim CEO Hank Jackson. … We were looking for the ideal candidate for CEO … and it’s not an easy position to fill … we found ourselves coming back to someone right in front of our eyes.”
Jackson told members at the opening session that he was “humbled and flattered” to be named the new CEO. “It doesn’t get any better than this,” he said. “I pledge to be the CEO you need, and the ally you want.”
Has been interim CEO since last July
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 long-time executive who has overseen finance, technology and HR departments, is the sixth CEO in SHRM’s 63-year history, replacing Lon O’Neil. The appointment, according to a SHRM press release, 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 board chair Berrios.
Been with SHRM more than 5 years
Jackson has been with SHRM for more than five years. In his previous role as as chief global finance and business affairs officer, he 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 in the press release. “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.”
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.