Allen Austin Continues Expansion

May 12, 2016 – Global leadership advisory firm Allen Austin has recently opened offices in Minneapolis, Miami, and Mexico City, with an additional office scheduled to open next month in Buenos Aires. The firm has added five new partners to its team as a part of a strategy to broaden its industry and functional expertise and geographic coverage.

Ron Woessner, who will operate from the firm’s Minneapolis office, will lead Allen Austin’s global financial officer practice. A former Deloitte practice development chair and corporate CFO, Mr. Woessner will focus on financial officer positions as well as C-level and board positions in the industrial, private equity, consumer products, agribusiness, healthcare and financial services sectors. He founded executive search firm Woessner & Associates in 1983, which subsequently merged into DHR International, where he led the firm’s global financial officer practice.

“To be successful in today’s dynamic market, finance leaders must possess a rigorous understanding of the business drivers, the technical finance and strategic skills to be a trusted advisor to the board and management, and the leadership skills to attract and retain top finance talent,” said Mr. Woessner. “I joined Allen Austin for many reasons, including our collaborative culture and commitment to the success of both clients and partners.”

Chris Fryer will co-lead Allen Austin’s industrial, life sciences and financial services practices, and will also operate from the firm’s Minneapolis office. A 30-year search veteran, Mr. Fryer built and led his own national boutique recruiting firm and served as a client partner for Korn Ferry for the 10 years prior to joining Allen Austin. He has executed hundreds of searches for C-suite, general management and key senior leadership roles across numerous industries, including industrial, medical manufacturing, private equity, healthcare and financial services. He also spent eight years as vice president of executive search for financial services companies U.S. Bancorp / Piper Jaffray and Ameriprise Financial.

“Clients these days are looking for advisors, not order takers. Finding great candidates for great clients is what I do, and that takes understanding, empathy and experience,” said Mr. Fryer. “Having operated in extremely high demand, low supply environments, I’ve learned what it takes to attract, recruit and retain high value talent.” He said being a consultant and advisor in front-end conversations around succession, culture, strategy and leadership is where he adds the most value to his clients.

Manny Corsino will manage Allen Austin’s Miami and Mexico City offices, and will lead the firm’s expansion and growth in Latin America. Mr. Corsino has regional expertise coupled with insight into how to serve clients in Latin America. He has developed relationships with a diverse group of them, including Microsoft, UBS, Verifone, Roche, JP Morgan, Pentair, Daikin Mcquay and The Beacon Council. Mr. Corsino has conducted numerous searches for CEOs, presidents, general managers, and sales executives in Latin America. Previously, he served as managing partner in Miami / Latin America for DHR International and before that served as managing director for Boyden.

“The past few years have seen a major resurgence in business investment in Latin America. All of this activity has been supported by strong economic growth across sectors and improving regulatory considerations,” said Mr. Corsino. While recent socioeconomic events have interrupted some of the region’s progress, he said there is still great promise. “One of the primary issues for companies expanding in Latin America is being able to hire and retain executive talent and superior leaders who also understand the cultural and business nuances specific to Latin America.” Finding exceptional leadership for them is critical, he added.

John Sinders will co-lead Allen Austin’s leadership advisory consulting practice, focusing primarily on energy and energy services companies, and private equity and financial services firms. His practice focuses on strategic planning, corporate development, IPO and M&A preparedness & execution, and corporate restructuring. Prior to joining Allen Austin, Mr. Sinders was a member of the executive leadership team at a major, Houston-based oilfield services company where he served as EVP and chief administration officer with responsibility for leading its strategic planning, corporate development and investor relations functions. He also served as the company’s interim CFO.

“I am excited to be joining Allen Austin. As a client of the firm, I watched first-hand the incredible value their proprietary approach to consulting and search creates,” said Mr. Sinders. “Today’s energy market creates challenges we have not seen since the 80s. Our veteran energy professionals bring direct operating experience to our search and consulting practice to help create lasting value for our clients.”

“Allen Austin is expanding around the world,” said Rob Andrews, founder and CEO. He said during the next month the firm will name key additions to its team in locations including Buenos Aires, Delhi and Moscow. “We began a deliberate and challenging transformation of Allen Austin in 2013, which continues to gain momentum toward fulfilling our vision of becoming the world’s premiere consulting practice focused on helping business leaders build highly successful organizations that create exceptional value.”

In February, the firm launched a new global technology practice. It is led by Rod Keller and co-led by Clement J. Wigger from the firm’s Austin, TX office and focuses on helping organizations identify, attract, develop, and retain tech talent.

Allen Austin also launched a new search practice in the life sciences and healthcare sector. Brian A. Johnston and Steve Leatherman are co-sector practice leaders. The practice is focused on critical growth areas in the sector, including pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, diagnostics / capital equipment, hospital & healthcare, ancillary services, providers & payers, supply chain, international healthcare providers, healthcare IT service providers, academic health institutions, biotech & healthcare startups, and private equity.

These additions offset the loss of managing partner Jim Thompson, Gary Payne, and Mary Campagnano all of whom left the firm to join Odgers Berndtson in late March.

Contributed by Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor, Hunt Scanlon Media

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