The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC), the world's largest association of in-house counsel, announced today that Veta T. Richardson, executive director of the Minority Corporate Counsel Association, has been selected as the association's new president and CEO, effective July 1, 2011. She will succeed Frederick J. Krebs, who has served as president for 20 years.
"Veta's close ties to the in-house counsel community, her excellent communication, interpersonal and leadership skills, coupled with the regard in which she is held as an association executive and a leader in the diversity arena will be invaluable assets for ACC," noted J. Alberto Gonzalez-Pita, ACC board chair and executive vice president and general counsel of HCP, Inc. "The board is looking forward to working with her and to seeing ACC's continued growth and success."
The search committee, chaired by Jonathan Oviatt, ACC board vice-chair and chief legal officer and secretary, Mayo Clinic, included representatives from ACC's board, chapters and committees, and was intent on identifying a candidate who not only satisfied specific job requirements and responsibilities, but who would also transition seamlessly with members, staff and the legal community. The search committee was unanimous in its decision that Ms. Richardson best met these specifications.
"Due to the stable infrastructure Fred established, ACC was well positioned to be able to identify the next innovative, strong leader," explained Mr. Oviatt."Veta's stellar reputation, laudable achievements and commitment to the legal profession made her uniquely qualified for the position.ACC will benefit greatly from her strong leadership skills and depth of knowledge and experience within the industry."
As executive director of MCCA since 2001, Ms. Richardson established its reputation and credibility as the nation's thought leader and leading advocate in advancement of diversity in the legal profession through a multipronged platform consisting of groundbreaking research and education, thought-provoking publications, such as Diversity & the Bar, and best-in-class programs, services and large-scale networking events. She is also credited with launching a diversity scholarship program, which has raised and distributed more than $1,500,000 and assisted more than 100 diverse law students over the program's five-year history.
"I am deeply honored to have been selected as president and CEO of ACC, an organization I have held in high regard for so many years," explained Ms. Richardson. "ACC has a dedicated and extremely talented staff and leadership, strong and committed volunteers, and a robust and growing membership.ACC's work and contributions are not only important to the in-house counsel community, but to the broader legal profession and beyond.I am excited about the opportunity to build on the remarkable work and momentum Fred initiated and oversaw for the past 20 years."