Cook Associates Launches Board Services Practice

November 8, 2011 – Chicago-based Cook Associates Executive Search has launched its board advisory services practice and named Thames Fulton as managing director. Based in Cook's Chicago headquarters, the board advisory unit will assist clients with board search, governance consulting, board analysis and assessment, development and succession planning. Mr. Fulton will lead the practice and serve as a board and C-level advisor. "A gap has long existed in high quality board advisory services available for middle market companies in the $100 million to $5 billion revenue range,” said Mary Kier, Cook CEO. “Too often these companies receive less than the high level of attention that search firms provide to their larger clients. We designed a comprehensive program to meet the needs of clients in this space, and we are confident that we have found the right person to lead it." Mr. Fulton has more than 10 years of experience executing board search and governance-based consulting engagements. Prior to joining Cook Associates, he served as a consultant with Heidrick & Struggles' CEO & board of directors practice, where he focused on corporate governance consulting and board director searches. Before that, Mr. Fulton was with Russell Reynolds Associates, where he was a member of its CEO & board practice.