Lane Takes Top Role as Directions Founder Steps Back

US-based Directions Research Inc. (DRI) has announced that company founder Randy Brooks is to step down from the role of President after 27 years, with current CMO Jim Lane adding the title of President. Brooks will become Chairman of the Board.

Directions was established in 1988 and provides tactical and strategic business insights for clients in a broad range of sectors. Lane (pictured) was promoted to the CMO role last August, form that of SVP - Marketing and Client Services. He has more than thirty years of MR industry and business leadership experience, beginning in the CREST division of NPD Research. He also founded and ran customer research firm Market Intelligence Inc, which was acquired by Catalina Marketing, and subsequently served as SVP at the latter. He holds a Masters in Management from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University and a BS in Marketing from Bradley University.

Brooks says of the changeover: 'My goal has always been to have Directions Research owned and operated by the senior management of the firm. The leadership Jim and other members of our senior staff have provided makes the timing right for me to step back from the day-to-day operations and serve the firm as Chairman. This transition of management fulfills a lifelong goal of mine and I could not be more encouraged at the prospects for our continued success.'

Web site: www.directionsresearch.com .