Acertitude Lands General Counsel for Chassix
April 4, 2016 – Executive search firm Acertitude has placed Iwona Niec Villaire as vice president and general counsel for Chassix, Inc. The search was led by Kevin O’Neill, founder and managing partner, and supported by partner Geoffrey Votta.
In her new role, Ms. Villaire will lead all legal affairs for the company and serve as member of the senior leadership team in directing its continuing growth and financial resurgence through corporate business development. She will oversee matters of legal significance to Chassix, including corporate governance and compliance, commercial transactions, and employment matters.
Ms. Villaire previously was deputy general counsel for Cooper-Standard Automotive and senior counsel for Federal-Mogul, after beginning her career with global assignments for automotive clients at law firm of Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer and Weiss. Her resume includes a lengthy list of achievements in dealing with transactional legal matters, regulatory compliance, finance, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions and numerous other roles and assignments.
“Iwona brings a broad range of legal experience in the automotive sector to our team,” said Chassix president and CEO Doug DelGrosso. “Her knowledge and expertise in corporate law along with her business acumen will help position Chassix for continued growth and profitability.”
“Iwona clearly is an exceptional legal talent,” said Mr. O’Neill. “But what makes her such a great fit for Chassix is the kind of drive to succeed that is a hallmark of this company’s culture. She is analytical, competitive and results–oriented. She thrives on a challenge and excels in working with others to find new and better ways of capitalizing on business opportunity. I am confident Iwona will thrive as a member of the Chassix leadership team.”
Chassix was formed through the integration of Diversified Machine, Inc., and SMW LLC, providing high-quality design, engineering, machining and assembly of aluminum and ductile iron castings for automotive clients in every key region of the world. Today, Chassix is a $1.6 billion privately-held company, employing more than 4,500 individuals in 23 locations.
With more than 25 years’ experience in global talent consulting, Mr. O’Neill has conducted over 500 senior executive and C-level searches in the consumer, industrial, and private equity sectors. Mr. Votta brings a track record discovering and engaging senior leadership teams that deliver measurable success, and specializes in automotive, supply chain, and technology.
Since its launch in June, Acertitude has conducted a number of C-level placements, including a chief accounting officer for Brightstar Corp., a chief operating officer for Rise Broadband, a chief information officer for Rise Broadband, and a COO for HealthSCOPE Benefits.
Acertitude is a sister company of O’Neill Consulting Group and Technology Executive Group (TEG). The firm specializes in recruiting senior executives in a number of sectors, including consumer, industrial, private equity, professional services, technology, telecommunications & media, healthcare & life sciences, and non-profit & foundations. Its consultants work from offices in Boston, Dallas, London, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Providence, Raleigh, Shanghai, Tampa, and Washington, D.C.
Legal recruiting generally has been booming this year. According to Hunt-Scanlon Media, lawyers employed by government agencies are on the move — a direct result of President Obama’s second term nearing its end. Employment of lawyers is projected to grow 10 percent through 2022. Demand for legal work is expected to be robust as individuals, businesses, and all levels of government require legal services in the U.S. and internationally as global economies expand.
Contributed by Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor, Hunt Scanlon Media
