A.B. Cruz III, who has distinguished himself in many of today’s leading industries, having served as CLO, General Counsel, CECO, CRO and Corporate Secretary in Biotech, Pharma, Oil & Gas, Telecommunications, Media/Entertainment, Financial Services, Education, and in the Military, has joined the advisory and coaching division of BarkerGilmore, a New York-based boutique executive search firm. The newest member of a distinguished team of Fortune 500 General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officers, Cruz adds his considerable multi-industry expertise to the strategic counsel, leadership development, and other services BarkerGilmore advisors provide to legal and compliance departments, CEOs, and boards across the country, including General Counsel recruiting and placement.
In making the announcement, Robert Barker, Managing Partner of BarkerGilmore, said Cruz’s unique range of experience brings an unparalleled depth and perspective to clients interested in advancing their employees and accelerating their organization. “A.B. is a visionary leader with a remarkable career that spans several different highly regulated industries, and the corporate and military worlds. When you combine the judgment of a legal advisor with the leadership qualities of a military leader and the strategic mindset of a corporate executive, along with a natural curiosity and enthusiasm, you define A.B.’s compelling credentials. His exceptional ability to encourage, develop, and inspire leaders, implement value, and brand building initiatives will be invaluable in helping BarkerGilmore’s clients to optimize their organizations and drive revenue.”
Cruz previously served as Senior Vice President and Divisional General Counsel at USAA, a Fortune 100 financial services company, where he led the legal teams that supported the company’s C-suite members and their organizations. He spearheaded the optimization of the chief legal office’s operating and interaction models and reviewed and approved new products and services to foster USAA’s future growth, competitiveness, and technology transformation.
Prior to USAA, A.B. was Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, Chief Compliance & Ethics Officer, and PAC chairman for Emergent BioSolutions, Inc. Before Emergent, he concurrently served as the Deputy Director of Maritime Operations for U.S. Fleet Forces Command and as Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary for Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. Earlier in his career, Cruz was the Deputy Commander for both the U.S. 4th Fleet and Naval Forces Southern Command, and served as the Executive Vice President & General Counsel for The E.W. Scripps Company.
Currently, A.B. is President-Elect of the Board of Governors for the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, an advisory board member for Bellatorum Resources as well as VetStoreUSA, and a board director and audit committee chair for Yellow Ribbon Fund. He is a board director and governance committee chair for the World Affairs Council of San Antonio, and a board director for the Down Syndrome Association of South Texas. Cruz serves as a board trustee, executive committee member, and finance committee chair for Saint Mary’s Hall and as a board trustee and governance committee member for the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association Foundation.
A.B. holds a JD from The Catholic University of America, an MA in Marketing from The University of Maryland, and a BS in General Engineering & Physical Sciences from the U.S. Naval Academy.
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