Research/analyst firm hires Claude J. Werder, former producer of the HR Technology Conference and Expo® and veteran multi-media publishing executive, to drive corporate growth through expansion of products and services
Delray Beach, FL – February 12, 2013, – Claude J. Werder, formerly Vice President/Editorial and Conferences at LRP Publications, owner of the HR Technology Conference and Expo®, has joined Brandon Hall Group as Vice President of Corporate and Product Development.
Werder produced five annual national HR conferences for LRP, including HR Technology®, as it evolved into the world’s largest conference and trade show of its kind.
Werder also developed and oversaw online databases and value-added content, e-learning, virtual seminars, and other products and services in several niche markets, including HR and Learning and Development, two of Brandon Hall Group’s core markets. Werder also co-founded a small consulting firm serving the HR and communications needs of small businesses in South Florida since 2004.
At Brandon Hall, Werder will focus on leveraging the company’s research assets, awards program, and advisory services and methodologies to create new offerings, enhance current ones, and expand the newly launched Member Center to build on the strong growth the firm experienced in 2012, CEO Mike Cooke said.
“Last year’s growth and strong prospects for 2013 made it imperative to expand our management team with a veteran executive who knows how to leverage assets to drive growth,” Cooke said. “Claude’s ability in that regard speaks for itself, plus his experience in managing people and process in larger companies enables us to build an effective infrastructure to support rapid and sustained growth as we take advantage of new market opportunities.”
“I am excited to be part of the Brandon Hall Group,” Werder said. “The best part of any job is working with good people to build the enterprise and better serve our customers. Brandon Hall Group has great pieces in place and excellent thought leadership and market knowledge. Great opportunities await us.”
Prior to LRP, Werder was a news executive for Gannett Co. Inc., publisher of USA Today. He was recruited by LRP to run its Editorial Department in 1997 and took on the additional responsibility in 2002 of LRP’s Conference Group. He helped expand LRP’s conference portfolio from four events to 10 and oversaw increased attendance and trade show growth in several events, most notably the HR Technology Conference and Expo®.
Said Conference Co-Chair Bill Kutik, “I had at the privilege of working with Claude Werder for 10 years building the HR Technology Conference® to a dominant position in the world.”
