Crist|Kolder Associates Fills Top Investor Relations Post for Agilent Technologies
October 17, 2025 – Crist|Kolder Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Tejas Savant as vice president of investor relations of Agilent Technologies. The search was led by Crist|Kolder’s IR practice leader, Sanya Badr. “The art of clear storytelling has never been more impactful than in today’s climate of uncertainty,” she said. “The rise in demand we have experienced from our clients seeking masters of the IR craft has been unprecedented, as public company CEOs and CFOs increasingly seek a balance of skills cutting across financial analysis, strategy, and operational excellence, all wrapped in superlative communication skills and Wall Street credibility.”
“Delighted to welcome Tejas Savant to Agilent Technologies as our new vice president of investor relations,” Agilent said in a LinkedIn post. “He will be instrumental in communicating our strategy and performance to the investment community and maximizing long-term shareholder value.”
Mr. Savant brings extensive experience in healthcare equity research and financial analysis. Prior to joining Agilent, he spent several years at Morgan Stanley as executive director and senior healthcare equity analyst, where he led coverage of the life science tools, diagnostics, and contract research/manufacturing sectors. Earlier in his career, Mr. Savant held the role of vice president and healthcare equity analyst at J.P. Morgan, focusing on life science tools, diagnostics, medical devices, and technology. His career reflects a deep understanding of the healthcare and life sciences industries, combined with a strong foundation in capital markets and investor engagement.
Agilent Technologies is a global company that provides instruments, software, services, and consumables for laboratories in the life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemical markets. Headquartered in Santa Clara, CA, the company develops analytical and testing solutions used in research, clinical, environmental, and industrial applications. Agilent serves customers in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, food safety, forensics, and chemical analysis, offering technologies that support scientific discovery, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance.
Crist|Kolder Associates focuses on CEO, CFO, COO, board of directors and succession search for a broad range of industries. The firm has filled line management and board positions for more than 100 clients relying on what it calls “the intellectual capital” of its senior partners and professional team. Given the strength of the firm’s CFO practice, Crist|Kolder has also established a strong position in finance #2 searches, including treasurers, controllers, group CFOs, IROs, CAEs and others.
Clem Johnson serves as president of the firm. Mr. Johnson joined the firm in 2007 and has 25 years of executive search experience, having previously been with Russell Reynolds Associates and Heidrick & Struggles. He has conducted senior executive and board searches internationally for major organizations across functional disciplines, with an emphasis on technology, industrial, retail, consumer products and professional services industries. In addition, Mr. Johnson has extensive experience assisting private equity firms and other investors with the recruitment of their portfolio companies’ senior leadership teams, with a particular functional emphasis on board of director, CEO and CFO disciplines.
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Ms. Badr is a principal of Crist|Kolder Associates where she executes searches across the industrial manufacturing, financial and consumer services, technology and healthcare industries in the public, private and private equity backed arena. Additionally, she leads the investor relations practice of the firm. New to the search industry when she joined in 2016, her early work was focused on building the mapping practice by providing research and targeted knowledge of companies and industries to Crist|Kolder’s clients.
The Timken Company Search
Crist|Kolder Associates also recently helped to recruit Lucian Boldea as the new president and CEO of NYSE-traded The Timken Company in North Canton, OH. He will succeed Richard G. Kyle, who has been in an interim role since March after having previously served as president and CEO from 2014 to 2024.
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“Following a comprehensive search, the board is confident that Lucian is the right leader to continue to advance Timken’s strategy, accelerate growth and deliver long-term returns for stakeholders,” said John Timken, chairman of the board. “He shares our values and has the vision, experience and leadership qualities to take Timken to new levels of performance.”
Mr. Boldea is a globally recognized executive, thought leader and innovator in industrial automation and advanced manufacturing. Since joining Honeywell in 2022, he has been at the forefront of the company’s transformation toward autonomous operations, leveraging artificial intelligence, IoT (Internet of Things) and advanced sensor technologies. Previously, Mr. Boldea served in executive roles at Eastman Chemical Company, starting his career there as a chemist and advancing through a variety of leadership, strategy and operational positions over more than two decades.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
