Blue Rock Search Appoints Director of Business Development
March 8, 2024 – Blue Rock Search has expanded with the addition of Madison Rountree as director of business development. “Blue Rock Search is delighted to welcome Madison Rountree to our team,” said Ruben Moreno, HR & diversity practice leader of Blue Rock Search. “Madison brings considerable experience in business development and client outreach, as well as a growth mindset and a knack for collaboration. We welcome her to the Blue Rock team and look forward to working together to drive continued growth and success for our firm and our valued clients.”
Ms. Rountree joins Blue Rock from Vista Title and Escrow where she served as the sales manager. While overseeing the company’s business development team, she facilitated the integration of the Darryl Turner Coaching System, enhancing team performance and fostering professional development. Additionally, Ms. Rountree led the conceptualization and execution of the company’s sales plan, a strategic framework that streamlined sales processes and contributed to the overall growth and success of Vista Title and Escrow’s market share.
Ms. Rountree previously served as the assistant director of admission for Linfield University, where she focused on prospecting, closing the sale, marketing and communication, and CRM database training. In her first two years there, she increased enrollment by 10 percent. She holds a certification in women in leadership from Whitworth University.
Blue Rock Search is a 100 percent minority/female-owned executive search firm. As a member of the SRA Network, the firm is also a Hunt Scanlon HR/Diversity Recruiting Power 65 recruiter. The firm’s consultants specialize in the targeted identification, assessment, and placement of executives across five distinct practice areas: Private equity, human resources and diversity, franchise, higher education, and CX. Blue Rock’s processes, technology, tools, and search methodology are designed to flex to the needs of its clients.
Mr. Moreno is a co-founder of the firm and leads the Blue Rock HR executive search practice specializing in the identification, assessment, recruitment, and onboarding of chief HR officers and their teams. As a subject matter expert and specialized executive recruiter, he has been dedicated to partnering with his clients to identify, assess, and recruit the best human resources leadership talent available for over 12 years.
Related: Blue Rock Search Partners with White Drive North America
Nancy Estep-Critchett is a founding partner of Blue Rock Search, with oversight of the franchise practice. She has 30 years of working experience as a business advisor and executive recruiter in the franchising space. Ms. Estep-Critchett has built relationships which have spanned decades with industry professionals and internationally recognized brands.
Recent Hire
Blue Rock Search recently hired Jacquelyn D. Elliott as the new higher education practice leader and chief experience officer. “Our team and our clients have already benefited from Dr. Elliott’s exceptional knowledge on several placements,” said Mr. Moreno. “We look forward to seeing her years of expertise and pursuit of excellence drive continued results for both search candidates and for our clients.”
Blue Rock Search Names Leader of Private Equity Practice
Blue Rock Search has appointed Joshua Jones as practice leader for the firm’s growing private equity practice. “Since joining Blue Rock in early 2018, Joshua has established himself as a key influencer in the executive search community,” the search firm said. “His insights have been featured in top-tier publications like the Wall Street Journal, reinforcing his reputation as a thought leader. With over 15 years of multifaceted business experience across public and private sectors, and strong relationships within diverse private equity communities, Joshua empowers our clients with the comprehensive knowledge necessary to source transformative leadership talent.”
Dr. Elliott has more than 30 years of C-suite leadership with a focus in university and business higher education to her new role with expertise in business development, organizational leadership, and strategic planning. She has held multiple positions across academic affairs, institutional advancement, international education, and all aspects of strategic enrollment management. She is president emerita of enrollmentFUEL, a national strategic enrollment management consulting and marketing company, and has also held roles such as Dean of admissions and financial aid, associate vice president of institutional advancement, and vice president for enrollment management across multiple institutions. Her most recent academic appointment was at the University of Missouri—St. Louis where she focused on faculty development, training, and accreditation.
“Dr. Elliott is an established leader in higher education, and someone we are proud to have as a full-time member of our team,” said Ms. Estep-Critchett. “Her dedication and depth of knowledge will certainly be continued assets to our firm and to our clients across the board.”
Related: Blue Rock Acquires ReCreation’s Executive Search Practice
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor; Lily Fauver, Senior Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media