The Risk Management Society (RIMS) has named Gary LaBranche as its new CEO, effective 1 June. He succeeds longstanding CEO Mary Roth, who announced her retirement late last year. As a global professional association, RIMS works to promote the practice of risk management through networking, professional development, certification and educational opportunities. LaBranche most recently served as president and CEO of the National Investor Relations Institute, an association representing 1,600 publicly-traded companies in the investor relations and corporate officers space. Before this, he held the position of CEO for the Association for Corporate Growth and the Association Forum of Chicagoland. LaBranche has also served as senior executive at the American Society of Association Executives and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he was responsible for identifying, developing and sharing best practices, models and innovation in association management. Commenting on the appointment, RIMS board president Patrick Sterling says: “Gary brings a world of knowledge and a proven track record as an association management leader. Throughout his career he has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to lifting his staff up, creating opportunities for them to grow and, in turn, achieving impressive results for his previous associations. We look forward to learning from him and are proud to welcome him into the global risk management community.” LaBranche adds: “Risk management makes the world safer, more secure and more sustainable. I am honoured to be asked to help advance that important work and pave the way for this dynamic professional community’s continued success. “I appreciate all that Mary and the RIMS team have accomplished and look forward to partnering with RIMS leaders and this society’s powerful and engaged community to continue that legacy.”
