The Santa Fe Group Appoints David J. Perez as CEO

Featured article by Peter R. Kelley, Kelley Group Two

 Catherine A. Allen, Founder and Chairman, & David J. Perez, Chief Executive Officer, The Santa Fe Group

Catherine A. Allen, Founder and Chairman of The Santa Fe Group, managing agent of The Shared Assessments Program, announced the appointment of David J. Perez as Chief Executive Officer. Allen, who founded The Santa Fe Group in 1996, will continue serving as Chairman of the Board.

The member-driven Shared Assessments Program is widely considered by risk professionals, consultancies and such major organizations as Campbell’s, Ameritrade and CVS to be the authoritative source for third party risk management best practices, tools and research.

Third Party Risk Management (TPRM) is among the fastest growing segments of the cybersecurity market sector, projected to grow from $3.2 billion in 2019 to $6.8 billion by 2024 at a CAGR of 15.9 percent.¹ The Santa Fe Group is aggressively growing the Shared Assessments program through international expansion, educational and certification programs, tool innovation and thought leadership to address strong demand in the global TPRM segment. The need to comply with various governance standards and adherence to different TPRM policies and regulations is expected to surge in organizations across all sectors, and drive further penetration of Shared Assessments’ solutions across the globe in virtually every market segment.

Perez, a senior executive and successful entrepreneur, is recognized as a ground-breaking business leader and an accomplished expert in sales, marketing and branding. Perez brings added strength and depth of experience to lead the organization’s expansion and development of innovative tools, best practices, education and research required in today’s dynamic cyber and physical threatscapes.

Perez has successfully started and built technology companies in the fields of healthcare, data analytics, and digital marketing. Prior to founding Seamless Medical Systems, creators of the leading iPad platform for improved patient experience and medical practice efficiency, Perez founded Latin Force, the first Latinx consumer digital marketing agency, partnering with iconic brands such as Nike, Wells Fargo, the NFL and Nickelodeon. While at Latin Force, he led the acquisition of GeoScape International, a data analytics company, in a transaction financed by Goldman Sachs.

“Organizations increasingly understand that third party operational and IT security risks can result in both irreparable reputational damage and millions of dollars in loss and penalties.,” said Chairman Allen. “David’s vision and his deep experience in growing organizations that address complex needs are perfectly aligned to the challenges ahead. He will ensure that the many organizations now relying on Shared Assessments will have the insight, tools, best practices and community resources they need to bring their risk management programs to greater maturity and optimal effectiveness.”

¹ MarketsandMarkets, “Third-Party Risk Management Market Worth $6.8 Billion by 2024” December 2019, https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/third-party-risk-management-market-worth-6-8-billion-by-2024–exclusive-report-by-marketsandmarkets-300968087.html