Cited from The Background Investigator
The Background Investigator March 2009 Issue

Laurence O'Neil Appointed New President And CEO Of SHRM

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the world's largest HR association, based in Alexandria, Va., appointed Laurence (Lon) G. O'Neil as president and chief executive officer.

O'Neil succeeds Susan R. Meisinger, SPHR, who retired in June.

O'Neil, who had been senior vice president and chief human resources officer at Kaiser Permanente, took the helm on Oct. 1.

O'Neil has held executive-level human resource and corporate positions at profit and not-for-profit organizations, both in the United States and overseas. As executive vice president and chief human resources officer of Bank of America's Global Corporate & Investment Banking, he led the HR team that supported lines of business in 42 countries.

O'Neil also directed the bank's HR functions throughout Asia and spent the early years of his career in Tehran, Iran, as director of social services for the Tehran American School.

He earned his bachelor's degree from Villanova University and a master's degree from the University of New Mexico.

"I am honored to be joining this esteemed global organization at an exciting time of growth for the human resource profession," said O'Neil.

"I've seen firsthand 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."