Johnny Taylor To Be Next SHRM CEO

The Society for Human Resource Management has a new president and CEO. The society announced today it had selected Johnny C. Taylor Jr., J.D., SHRM-SCP to take over the helm of the 285,000 member organization, beginning in November.

“Johnny Taylor is a visionary leader and accomplished HR strategist who is committed to the continued advancement of the profession, and the board of directors looks forward to working with him,”said SHRM Board Chair Coretha Rushing.

Taylor, president and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund since 2010, served as chair of the SHRM board 2005-2006 when he was SVP / Human Resources of IAC/InterActive Corp., a publicly held group of media and internet businesses that includes such well-known services as Match.com, About.com, Dictionary.com and Investopedia. He later assumed the CEO role for one of IAC’s operating companies.

Earlier, he served as EVP and general counsel for Compass Group North America, a leading food service company, and before that was Taylor also served in the dual role of general counsel and senior vice president, HR of Paramount Parks & Live Entertainment, as well as vice president, HR at Blockbuster Entertainment.

Taylor holds a law degree and M.A. in Mass Communication/Media Studies, both from Drake University. His bachelor’s degree in journalism is from the University of Miami.

He is the co-author of the 2009 book, The Trouble with HR: An Insider’s Guide to Finding and Keeping the Best People, and is a frequent speaker at conferences, commencements and other events. He’s been widely quoted in the media on matters involving black colleges, students and diversity.

Taylor succeeds Henry G. (Hank) Jackson, who will retire at the end of the year after 12 years at SHRM.