ChampionScott Partners Assists CertifiedSafety in Recruitment of New Board Member
October 6, 2020 – Although boards of directors are considered the backbones of organizations, director recruiting has grown markedly more challenging say recruiters who conduct searches in that area. As a result, companies continue to turn to executive search firms to help find new board members.
Recently, ChampionScott Partners, which specializes in senior-level appointments for technology and technology-enabled companies, recently assisted in the placement of Doug Milner to the board of directors of CertifiedSafety Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of cost-effective, scalable and proven solutions to solve safety-related challenges for the petroleum and chemical industries.
Mr. Milner has built a 35-year career in industrial technology and technology-enabled services. He currently serves as executive chairman of Abracon, a global manufacturer of passive and electromechanical timing, synchronization, power, connectivity and RF solutions. Mr. Milner was previously a board member and CEO of Telular Corp., a private equity backed industrial IoT business bringing innovative, end-to-end wireless solutions to large, enterprise-class customers. His previous roles include board member and CEO of Active Power Corp.; COO of Aquilex Corp.; president, Stowe Woodward division of Xerium Technologies Inc.; board member and CEO of Ziptronix Inc.; president, Invensys Power Systems, Invensys; and senior leadership roles at Powerware Corp., GESCAN International and GE Semiconductor.
CertifiedSafety and its SmartConnect and Calculated Controls divisions provide cost-effective, scalable solutions to solve safety-related challenges for the petroleum and chemical industries. The company brings deep experience, industry-leading safety practices, highly-qualified and trained personnel at every level, and safety leadership to drive up safety certainty and project success. CertifiedSafety is headquartered in League City, TX.
Veteran Recruiters
ChampionScott Partners is an executive search firm focused on delivering leadership solutions for technology and technology-enabled companies, globally. Throughout every search the firm undertakes, it applies the strategic insights of an experienced search partner, the operating skills of an internationally expert management team, and the recruiting abilities of a premier executive search firm, according to firm.
Geoff Champion, chairman, CEO and founding partner of the firm, has lived and worked in South Korea, Germany, Holland, London and throughout the U.S. His industry experience entails working at the most senior “C” levels for large scale and middle market companies in the U.S., Europe and Asia.
Related: Independent Directors, Women and Minorities See Board Gains
Mr. Champion has conducted board, CEO and senior executive appointments for leading edge companies in the digital media, business-to-business services, telecommunications, consumer, educational services and financial technology sectors.
Luring Directors
According to Egon Zehnder, heightened expectations now placed on boards have elevated both the professional standards and personal commitment required of all directors.
As Women Gain Seats on Boards, Minorities Fall Back
This past year, boards around the world were facing a range of competing expectations for the new members they would add in order to meet their ever-growing remit. According to Heidrick & Struggles’ 2020 Board Monitor, modern boards are expected to possess significant expertise in areas as specialized and diverse as digital transformation, cybersecurity, corporate reputation management, sustainability and social media, to name just a few, as well as to include significant diversity in terms of gender, racial and ethnic background, and national origin, among other characteristics. Beyond adding specific expertise, it’s widely accepted that more diverse teams make better decisions.
At the same time, many boards find that the supply of independent-minded “board experienced” directors – especially those who can add vital forms of specialized skills and expertise – is limited. Such candidates are widely sought but can be hesitant to take on the intensive responsibilities now required of board service.
Most in demand are women, senior leaders with global experience, ethnically diverse professionals, and Millennials.
Related: 10 Key Findings That Impact Board Performance
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
