SHRM Names Laurence O’Neil New President And CEO

Alexandria, VA (CompNewsNetwork) -  In a major advance of its strategic initiatives, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) today announced the selection of Laurence (Lon) G. O'Neil as President and Chief Executive Officer.  O'Neil, who had been senior vice president and chief human resources officer at Kaiser Permanente, takes the helm on October 1, 2008, of the world's largest human resource management association representing more than 245,000 professionals in 130 countries.

SHRM's Board of Directors unanimously chose O'Neil after a rigorous, six-month national search that included a pool of more than 400 potential candidates.  He has held executive-level human resources and corporate positions at profit and not-for-profit organizations, both in the United States and overseas. 

"Lon brings extensive HR, corporate and international experience to our organization," said Janet N. Parker, SPHR, Chair of the SHRM Board of Directors and executive vice president for human resources at Regions Financial Corporation.  "His impressive record of achievement and innovation will be an asset to SHRM's strategic growth and ongoing service to our members.  We welcome his leadership as the Society and the profession continue to expand their influence."

"I am honored to be joining this esteemed global organization at an exciting time of growth for the human resources profession," said O'Neil.  "I've seen first hand how HR professionals can make the critical difference in an organization's ability to compete and succeed.  I am dedicated to strengthening the Society's commitment to the profession and to the people who fulfill this essential mission around the world every day."

From 2002 through 2007, O'Neil served as senior vice president and chief human resources office at Kaiser Permanente, a $40 billion not-for-profit health organization with 158,000 employees.  In this role, he developed and led a corporate-wide transformation of the human resources structure and services, creating business-focused HR centers of excellence.  Prior to joining Kaiser Permanente, he was a managing partner at Heidrick & Struggles, one of the world's leading providers of executive search and leadership consulting services. 

O'Neil also held several positions with Bank of America during two different times in his career.  As executive vice president and chief human resources officer of Global Corporate & Investment Banking, he led the HR team that supported lines of business in 42 countries.  Additionally, he spent three years overseas directing the Bank's HR functions throughout Asia, managed the human resources functions for the retail banking division comprised of 850 branch offices and more than 40,000 employees, and served as executive assistant to the chairman and CEO on all operating, organizational and policy issues.

O'Neil earned his bachelor's degree from Villanova University and a master's degree from the University of New Mexico.  He has been active in the HR Policy Institute and the HR Policy Association. He has been a keynote speaker on HR issues as well as the organization and delivery of healthcare.  In addition to his work in Asia, O'Neil spent the early years of his career in Tehran, Iran as director of social services for the Tehran American School. 

He will assume the role of SHRM president and CEO on October 1, 2008. Visit the SHRM web site for more information at www.shrm.org. 

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 245,000 members in over 130 countries, the Society serves the needs of HR professionals and advances the interests of the HR profession.  Founded in 1948, SHRM has 575 affiliated chapters within the United States and subsidiary offices in China and India.  Visit SHRM at www.shrm.org.

CONTACT: Julie Malveaux, +1-703-535-6273, jmalveaux@shrm.org, or Jennifer Hughes, +1-703-535-6072, jhughes@shrm.org, both of the Society for Human Resource Management

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