CINCINNATI, May 15, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Directions Inc announced today that
Jim Lane, President and Chief
Executive Officer, will retire on December
31, 2024, after nine years of leading the firm through
tremendous growth and transformation. Following an internal
selection process and election by the company's ownership group,
the Directions Inc Board of Directors has named Chief Client
Officer Elizabeth (Beth) Finn as his
successor.
Jim joined Directions in 2010 and was elected President and CEO
in 2015 following the retirement of Randy
Brooks, who founded and led the firm for 27 years. Under
Jim's leadership, the firm experienced a 64 percent revenue growth
while maintaining a strong culture of customer-centric service. He
also oversaw the successful acquisitions of SEEK Company in 2018
and Aimpoint Research® in 2021, bringing together an
unmatched suite of quantitative, qualitative, and strategic
intelligence capabilities.
"During Jim Lane's nine-year tenure as our second president, our
revenues grew dramatically," said Randy
Brooks. "We acquired two outstanding firms that diversified
our base of business and worked to integrate these firms into a
successful business model. We are all appreciative of Jim's
efforts, and I wish him the best in his retirement."
Throughout his nearly 40-year career in the insights industry
and business leadership, Jim has held ownership and leadership
positions with multiple firms, including Senior Vice President of
Catalina Marketing and President and Owner of Market Intelligence,
Inc. He has also been an active member of the Insights Association
and currently serves on its Board of Directors. His track record
demonstrates a commitment to clients and employees and a passion
for building a people-first culture.
"Serving the clients and employees of Directions, SEEK, and
Aimpoint Research for nearly 15 years, including the last nine as
President and CEO, has been the business privilege of a lifetime,"
said Jim. "We have achieved tremendous success on many fronts, and
today, the company is as strong as ever and positioned to
capitalize on the changing world in which we compete. While there
is much that I will remember fondly, I am most proud of the culture
that ties us all together. Being independently recognized as a "Top
Workplace" for the past seven years means we delivered much more
than a job during the business challenges both pre- and post-COVID.
Our employee team is one of the best in the industry…dedicated,
hardworking, and supportive of each other. I will also be forever
grateful for the client and vendor partner relationships and
friendships I have been afforded over the years. Having spent
nearly all my forty-year career in the insights industry, I am
humbled to step aside. I am confident knowing the group of
Directions Inc brands has strong leaders who are passionate and
committed to our business. I look forward to watching the company
continue to thrive under their guidance."
Jim will remain President and CEO until the end of the year,
offering his expertise in an advisory capacity to ensure a smooth
transition as Beth Finn steps into
the position.
"We are thrilled to announce Beth
Finn as our new President and CEO, a role in which we are
confident she will continue to harness her remarkable skills to
foster growth, innovation, and unparalleled client satisfaction,"
said Jim. "Beth's ascension to this position is a testament to her
profound impact through exceptional leadership traits and a blend
of vision, integrity, and unwavering focus on outcomes that exceed
client and employee expectations. Beth's commitment to developing
strong, capable teams is unmatched, fostering an environment where
innovation flourishes and excellence is the status quo. Her
approach to leadership – emphasizing empathy, communication, and
empowerment makes her perfect for her new role as President and
CEO."
Beth has worked in the marketing and insights industry for over
twenty years and brings extensive experience, management skills,
and business acumen to the role. Previously serving as a
senior-level consultant and strategic partner at Kantar, Beth
joined Directions in 2016 and quickly established herself as a
leading voice and advocate for clients. She also serves on the
Board of Directors and is an ownership group member.
"I am honored and humbled by this opportunity, as well as the
trust and faith the Board of Directors and our owners have in me to
lead this incredible company," said Beth. "The prospect of leading
such a talented team fills me with both excitement and gratitude.
Since joining Directions Inc, I've felt part of something truly
exceptional – an organization deeply committed to excellence,
client satisfaction, and challenging the status quo. I want to
thank Randy and Jim. Randy built a great organization. Jim led us
for nearly a decade through significant organizational growth and
change. As we set our sights on the future of the firm, there are
still chapters to write and stories to tell. We have the talent,
the ability, and the determination to achieve our goals and inspire
impactful decisions that enrich the lives of our clients, the
customers they serve, and importantly, each other."
About Directions Inc
Directions Inc is a collective of brands (Directions Research, SEEK
Company, and Aimpoint Research® empowering businesses to
gain competitive advantage through integrated insights. Our expert
advisors partner with clients to design custom research plans that
gather and connect the dots between human-centered quantitative,
qualitative, and intelligence-based insights, giving them the power
to drive their business forward. Together, our brands offer
expertise across a range of industry verticals, including food,
food service, agriculture, health and wellness, technology,
financial services, and consumer-packaged goods. Directions Inc is
a privately held firm in Cincinnati,
Ohio with regional offices around the country, conducting
work globally.
Contact: Andrea Stevie, Marketing
Director
Phone: 513-651-2990
Email: 377766@email4pr.com
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SOURCE Directions Inc