The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) has appointed Jason Brown as its new president and CEO, replacing Veta Richardson, who announced her intention to step down last year.
Brown joins from GE Appliances, where he was general counsel and secretary. He brings significant leadership and innovation experience having spearheaded digital transformation efforts in GE Appliances’ legal department. He will take up his new role at the ACC on 1 November.
The ACC is the world’s largest membership organisation supporting in-house lawyers.
Cristina Gonzalez, ACC global board chair and chief legal officer at Staples, said: “[Brown’s] proven record, global experience and prior dedicated service to ACC make him exceptionally well-suited to meet the needs of the in-house community, navigate risk and drive strategic initiatives. We look forward to the impact he will have on our members and stakeholders worldwide.”
Prior to joining GE Appliances in 2018, Brown was GC for Dyson’s Americas business and associate GC at MillersCoors before that. He also previously served as director of legal at Pepsi Beverages Company, his first in-house counsel role.
Brown said: “My vision is to build on ACC’s strong foundation by fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation. Together, we will continue to advance the interests of in-house counsel globally and provide unparalleled support, unrivalled programming and premium resources to our members.”
Brown also brings with him a deep understanding of the ACC from many years of membership, having previously served on the ACC Chicago Chapter board of directors and as its president, as well as sitting on the global board of directors. He has been recognised by Savoy Magazine as one of the ‘Most Influential Black Attorneys in America’ in 2015, 2018 and 2022.
Richardson, meanwhile, is set to leave the role at the end of October after 14 years, having given the ACC a year’s notice of her intention to step down. Following her departure, she plans to serve on corporate boards, teach at Georgetown University Law Center and write a sequel to her bestselling career guide Take Six, among pursuing “many other passions and interests”.
Prior to becoming CEO of the ACC in 2011, she spent more than a decade as executive director and president of the Minority Corporate Counsel Association. That was sandwiched between an earlier spell at the ACC, when she served as vice president of legal resources and deputy GC.
At the time of announcing her planned departure last October, she said: “I am grateful to have led such a great organisation, and I credit ACC’s success to our amazing staff who rose to every challenge. Together we turned strategies into results.
“I would also like to thank ACC’s global board of directors, chapter and network leaders, members and our many sponsors and partner organisations for their trust and support. Serving as ACC’s CEO has been an incredibly rewarding experience, and I will continue to treasure the many friendships I’ve made over the years.”
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