BrainWorks Appoints New Practice Leaders
March 1, 2019 – New Providence, NJ-based executive search firm BrainWorks has named Eric Frickel as leader of the firm’s private equity and portfolio practice, Cindy Miceli as head of the IT recruiting practice and Todd Shiner to lead the firm’s accounting and finance practice.
BrainWorks is a provider of executive recruitment services. Consumer products, analytics and data science, digital marketing and eCommerce, and CRM and direct marketing have been longstanding practices. Private equity and portfolio companies, IT, and accounting and finance now round out the firm’s all-inclusive approach for its client base.
“BrainWorks is primed for growth in 2019,” said Andy Miller, president and CEO of BrainWorks, which was founded in 1991. “One of our strategies is to be as comprehensive to clients as possible while not sacrificing quality.”
New Additions
Mr. Frickel will focus on the recruiting needs of upper and middle management specifically within private equity investment teams and portfolio companies, investment banking, and corporate development and strategy. He has over 15 years of experience in placing talent in private equity, as well as a strong background in investment banking and M&A due diligence. He brings a highly consultative approach and strong customer focus to his clients.
Mr. Frickel previously started and managed the private equity search practice at boutique firm Forrer Group in Atlanta for 14 years. He began his career at Ernst & Young, where he gained a strong background in accounting and M&A due diligence. He continued his career at a top middle-market investment banking group at Duff & Phelps in Chicago and performed restructuring and litigation at Huron Consulting.
Leadership Crisis Unfolding at Private Equity Firms
According to a coming research report from Hunt Scanlon Media, the private equity sector can expect to see an expanding bidding war for top talent. Driving the trend: persistent global talent shortages across the C-suite. Nearly every industry and function is affected, including finance, healthcare and biotech, digital and technology, among others.
“Leadership is the new bottom line for private equity operating executives seeking top talent for their portfolio businesses,” said Scott A. Scanlon, the firm’s founding chairman and CEO. “The PE sector is in the crosshairs of a widening war for leadership.”
Ms. Miceli brings with her a 25-year track record of success in this unique and highly competitive space. She has a deep understanding of how technology executives drive business performance and will focus on placing mid to senior level talent including CIOs, CTOs and leaders in development, infrastructure, data management and eCommerce. BrainWorks said she brings her passion, enthusiasm and deep industry insight as she engages with all clients.
Previously, Ms. Miceli worked as a recruiter for EDS, a global IT outsourcing company and Voxware, a VOIP Start-Up. She later earned the title of top producer at both Datanomics, an IT contracting company and Alta Associates, a retained search firm in cybersecurity sector. Ms. Miceli has placed women in over 40 percent of her career placements, BrainWorks said.
Mr. Shiner has nearly 25 years of experience recruiting finance professionals, as well as executives across all industries. As a former public accountant and controller, he understands how finance leaders can ensure compliance, mitigate risk and improve the bottom line. As the leader of the accounting & finance practice, Mr. Shiner will focus on representing CFO searches, along with director level and above, in any accounting, finance, and procurement departments.
Mr. Shiner developed his expertise in accounting and finance executive search while with Korn Ferry, Michael Page, and Parker + Lynch (Adecco). His deep network consists of experienced CFOs, VPs of finance, and controllers along with executives specialized in treasury, tax, reporting, procurement, audit and compliance.
“BrainWorks is ecstatic to welcome these three recruiting veterans. I fully expect 2019 to be a record year,” said Mr. Miller.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Andrew W. Mitchell, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
