Spires steps down as Learning Tree CEO

Richard Spires, best known for his work as DHS CIO, is stepping down as CEO of Learning Tree

Richard Spires has stepped down as CEO of Learning Tree after four-and-a-half years IT training firm.

Spires joined Learning Tree after a stint as CEO and chairman of Resilient Network Systems. But Spires is probably best known for his work inside government, where he was chief information officer for the Homeland Security Department and also held leadership team at the Internal Revenue Service.

Though he has stepped down at Learning Tree, he will remain as a consultant to the company and the new CEO David Brown. Brown’s appointment takes effect on March 30.

“I am proud of what Learning Tree has accomplished as an organization over the last four and half years, as we have helped organizations around the world train and develop their staff,” Spires said in a statement. “While there is still much to be done, I have determined that now is the right time for me to transition leadership of the company as it enters its next phase of growth.”

Brown comes to Learning Tree from Clarivate Analytics, where he was global head of sales and services. Previously, he was president of intellectual property solutions for Thomson Reuters.