Ryan, a global provider of tax services and software, has appointed Terry Gaylord as Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer, reinforcing its focus on talent development, organizational growth, and employee experience. Based at the company’s global headquarters in Plano, Texas, Gaylord will oversee Ryan’s worldwide People Group strategy and operations, helping align workforce initiatives with the firm’s long-term business objectives.
Gaylord joins Ryan with extensive experience in human resources leadership, organizational transformation, and workforce strategy. Throughout his career, he has led large-scale initiatives involving global talent management, organizational planning, culture development, and human capital innovation. His background also includes implementing AI-driven technologies and automation to improve HR operations and business performance.
Most recently, Gaylord served as Chief Human Resources Officer at Epiq, where he managed HR operations across 18 countries, supporting a workforce of more than 10,000 employees. Before that, he held senior leadership positions at J.P. Morgan and Payless ShoeSource, building expertise in talent strategy, organizational effectiveness, and workforce globalization.
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“Terry is an accomplished leader with deep expertise in talent strategy, organizational transformation, and culture development,” said Ginny B. Kissling, Global President and Chief Operating Officer at Ryan. “His leadership experience, people-first mindset, and passion for building high-performing organizations make him an outstanding addition to our Executive Leadership team. We are excited to welcome Terry as we continue investing in our people, culture, and future growth.”
In his new role, Gaylord will focus on strengthening Ryan’s people strategy while supporting the company’s evolving workforce requirements. His priorities include enhancing organizational culture, advancing leadership development, and leveraging technology to create more efficient and employee-focused HR practices.
“Ryan is the singular industry leader in business tax and exceptionally well-positioned for future growth,” said Terry Gaylord. “The Firm’s historical success is built on exceptional leadership, global talent, and a culture grounded in values—a unique combination that is hard to find. I am excited to join a Firm that is sharply focused while remaining committed to values that matter.”
Gaylord holds a Ph.D. and a Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Kansas State University, along with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Illinois Wesleyan University. His appointment underscores Ryan‘s continued investment in leadership, culture, and workforce innovation as the company expands its global operations.
