ATLANTA--The Oracle Applications Users Group (OAUG), the world’s largest user knowledgebase for Oracle Applications, announced it has hired Steven R. Hughes as its new executive director, and Karl M. Kirsch, CAE, as chief operating officer.

To fulfill his duties in his role as executive director, Hughes advises and assists the OAUG Board of Directors on the formulation and implementation of the organization’s strategies, objectives, goals and policies. In addition, he provides key leadership to the organization’s members, staff and strategic partners. Hughes previously worked as the OAUG’s executive director from 2002-2007 and remained a part-time consultant with the organization until recently.

During his previous term as the OAUG’s executive director, Hughes was instrumental in enabling the organization to expand in order to meet the changing needs of applications users as Oracle acquired other companies. Some of his milestones include increasing the organization’s membership, building a network of global contacts and boosting levels of attendance at the OAUG’s annual conferences.

Kirsch has worked as the vice president of client services at Atlanta–based Meeting Expectations, a professional services firm specializing in association management and event planning, since 2002. As COO, he completes the executive management team and helps translate strategy into tactical plans that are specific and measurable. He also shares responsibility to manage the daily operations of OAUG to ensure activities of the organization’s staff are supporting established objectives, quality targets and cost-effectiveness goals.

“Hughes and Kirsch have years of experience working with both the OAUG and other related organizations,” said Ray Payne, president of the OAUG. “We are proud to have them with us as we conduct our strategic planning for 2010 and continue to focus our energies on working closely with Oracle Corp. and providing an enhanced level of benefits to our members.”

About Oracle Applications Users Group (OAUG^®)

Founded in 1990, the Oracle Applications Users Group (OAUG) is the world’s largest user knowledgebase for Oracle Applications users. The organization serves as an advocate to Oracle Corp. for companies worldwide, including more than 35 percent of the companies on the Fortune 100 list. The OAUG also serves users of more than 65 Oracle Applications products including Oracle Fusion Applications, Oracle E-Business Suite, PeopleSoft Enterprise, Agile, Hyperion, Oracle Retail, Oracle Communications, Siebel CRM and others. The OAUG provides users with education, networking and support via a wide range of activities and forums including conferences, publications, special interest groups, online communities and the Knowledge Factory™, a community-driven knowledge resource for Oracle Applications users. For more information about OAUG, visit the Web site at oaug.org.