BarkerGilmore Adds Senior Advisors

June 1, 2020 – Boutique search firm BarkerGilmore, which specializes in building corporate legal and compliance teams, has added two senior advisors, A.B. Cruz III and Jamey Seely, to its advisory and coaching division.

Mr. Cruz, who brings considerable multi-industry expertise to the firm, most recently served as senior vice president and divisional general counsel at USAA, a Fortune 100 financial services company. In that role, he led the legal teams that supported the company’s C-suite members and their organizations. Mr. Cruz spearheaded the optimization of the chief legal office’s operating and interaction models and reviewed and approved new products and services to foster USAA’s future growth, competitiveness, and technology transformation.

Robert Barker, managing partner of BarkerGilmore, said Mr. Cruz’s unique range of experience brings an unparalleled depth and perspective to clients interested in advancing their employees and accelerating their organization. “A.B. is a visionary leader with a remarkable career that spans several different highly regulated industries, and the corporate and military worlds,” said Mr. Barker.

“When you combine the judgment of a legal advisor with the leadership qualities of a military leader and the strategic mindset of a corporate executive, along with a natural curiosity and enthusiasm, you define A.B.’s compelling credentials. His exceptional ability to encourage, develop, and inspire leaders, implement value, and brand building initiatives will be invaluable in helping BarkerGilmore’s clients to optimize their organizations and drive revenue,” he added.

Prior to USAA, Mr. Cruz was executive vice president, general counsel, corporate secretary, chief compliance and ethics officer, and PAC chairman for Emergent BioSolutions Inc. Before Emergent, he concurrently served as deputy director of Maritime Operations for U.S. Fleet Forces Command and as executive vice president, chief legal officer and corporate secretary for Scripps Networks Interactive Inc. Earlier in his career, Mr. Cruz was deputy commander for both the U.S. 4th Fleet and Naval Forces Southern Command, and served as executive vice president and general counsel for the E.W. Scripps Co.

Strong Experience

Mr. Cruz holds a law degree from the Catholic University of America, a master’s degree in marketing from the University of Maryland and a bachelor’s degree in general engineering and physical sciences from the U.S. Naval Academy.

Ms. Seely, who simultaneously holds business and legal roles, currently serves as president and general counsel of Integra Inc., a leading developer of blockchain technology for the legal industry.

“Jamey Seely is an outstanding global corporate legal and business executive, breaking down barriers and paving the way for others to follow,” said Mr. Barker. “Her legal skills, business judgement, vision, and leadership – whether taking charge of large scale initial public offerings, corporate restructuring, or developing and managing a diverse legal team – are enhanced by her courage, creativity, and ability to look beyond the boundaries and allow everyone to succeed. With her proven expertise, willingness to take the extra step, and success in creating and delivering enhanced solutions and exceptional results, she will be invaluable in helping BarkerGilmore’s clients optimize their organizations and drive revenue.”

Finding Talent

Ms. Seely previously served as executive vice president and general counsel of the Gates Industrial Corp., a global leader in power transmission and fluid power products and services, and led a successful IPO. While executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary at ION Geophysical Inc., a global technology company, Ms. Seely managed all financing arrangements, mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, partnerships and strategic alliances, and the bond restructuring of the company’s debt. Earlier in her career, she was senior vice president of Alternative Energy for NRG Energy Inc. with management and legal oversight of multiple new business and start-up ventures related to enhanced oil recovery, solar power and nuclear project development.


Former McDonalds’s CCO Joins BarkerGilmore
Haydee Ortiz Olinger has joined the advisory and coaching division of BarkerGilmore. Ms. Olinger joins BarkerGilmore’s team of former general counsel and chief compliance officers who provide strategic counsel, leadership development, succession planning and other services.


Ms. Seely graduated from Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law and received a bachelor’s degree from Baylor University. She holds a professional certificate in energy innovation and emerging technologies from Stanford University, and is licensed to practice law in Texas and New York.

BarkerGilmore utilizes an advisory board of 12 former general counsel and chief compliance officers. This team, many of whom have served in Fortune 500 companies, is charged with providing advisory and leadership development services, complementing the firm’s core recruiting business. These consultants offer BarkerGilmore’s clients access to experience that can help them to optimize their organizations and accelerate profits.

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor  – Hunt Scanlon Media

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