The Americas’ SAP Users’ Group (ASUG), the world’s largest customer-run community of SAP professionals, announced today that Craig Lathrop, former Chief Technology Officer of Kaplan Professional, one of the largest learning and professional certification companies, was named the organization’s new Chief Information Officer, effective January 7, 2008.
As CIO, Lathrop will be responsible for establishing and managing ASUG’s overall technology strategy and identifying areas of innovation that will allow the organization to keep pace with the demands of its growing member base.
Lathrop joins ASUG with more than 20 years progressive leadership in information technology. In his current position with Kaplan, he successfully led re-platform efforts for the company’s eCommerce, learning, content, compliance and ERP solutions using technology innovations that provide customer valued capabilities and easy integration with their own internal systems and workflows. Prior to joining Kaplan, Lathrop was CTO at Dialog, one of Thomson's leading worldwide providers of online information services, where he led the implementation of SAP and developed innovative online information solutions for some of the world’s largest corporations.
“We support 50,000 SAP professionals, so technology is critical,” said Steve Strout, ASUG CEO. “We needed someone with the vision and the experience to ensure we continue to deliver real advantage to all members of the SAP ecosystem. Craig is absolutely the right person to be leading this part of the organization.”
“ASUG is the largest independent resource in the SAP ecosystem,” said Lathrop, “and I am excited to work for an organization with such a diverse, technically savvy membership. I look forward to building a technology strategy that will further strengthen this vibrant community, simplify our ability to bring new products and member services to market, and support our growth for years to come.”
About ASUG
The Americas' SAP Users' Group (ASUG(R)) is an independent, volunteer-run organization that facilitates knowledge transfer among the community of SAP customers by providing user-driven educational opportunities, professional networking and a forum that provides insight and influence to SAP. ASUG maintains a unique position within the SAP community through its: combination of highly-focused education tools; access to subject matter experts and SAP executives; ability to influence SAP products and services; and personal networking opportunities with SAP customers. As a result, members from any sized organization continuously solve their SAP-related business problems more efficiently and cost-effectively, realizing a significant return from their membership. (Additional information at http://www.asug.com.)