BuyWithMe snaps up Patch EVP and ex-googler for CPO

Charlie Gray will now oversee BuyWithMe's staff, after working with AOL's Patch and Google

 BuyWithMe has been on the move lately, snapping up companies left and right as new CEO Jim Crowley tries to get the once flat-lining daily deal company back on track.  Now it looks like BuyWithMe is snapping up more than companies—it’s picking up new management, too.  The company on Tuesday announced its brand spankin’ new CPO, former Patch EVP and ex-Googler Charlie Gray.

BuyWithMe snatched Gray right out of Patch’s hands, where Gray has been EVP of Human Resources and Operations since May 2010.  Prior to that, he was the SVP of Human Resources for RecycleBank from November 2009 to May 2010, and the Head of Staffing and HR for Advertising Sales at Google from 2003 to 2009.

Considering BuyWithMe’s aim to be one of the big daily deal players again, it makes sense that the company is hiring a Chief People Officer with obvious experience with high-growth companies.  At Patch, Gray oversaw the company’s growth from 100 employees to 1,400 in one year, and at Google, Gray oversaw 1,500 employees across 12 offices.  Additionally, he also saw Google and its employees through the company’s 2004 IPO.

“BuyWithMe is growing at a rapid pace and it’s important to have the right leadership in place as we enter the next phase of our evolution,” said BuyWithMe CEO Jim Crowley, in a statement. “Charlie has tremendous experience helping some of the world’s best companies rapidly scale their talent base while at the same time helping those companies create cultures where excellence and extraordinary execution are the touchstone of the entire organization.  His knowledge and expertise will be an incredible asset as we continue to expand and we are delighted and fortunate to have him on the team.”

Interestingly, Gray’s educational background consists of a BFA in Music from SUNY Buffalo.

BuyWithMe continues to pick up speed.  Last week, the company made its fifth acquisition so far this year with the purchase of Scoop St., a New York City-focused daily deal site.  Other recent acquisitions include cash-back rewards site Edhance, and west coast daily deal site LocalTwist.