Crist|Kolder Associates Names President, Reshuffles Leadership Team

January 6, 2022 – Crist|Kolder Associates has appointed Clem Johnson as president of the firm, and Scott Simmons and Josh Crist have been named co-managing partners. Mr. Johnson takes over from Tom Kolder, who is moving into a vice chairman role alongside chairman Peter Crist. “As Peter and I pass the day-to-day leadership to Clem, Scott and Josh, we have never felt more optimistic about the future of the firm,” said Mr. Kolder. “We are incredibly proud of the brand we have built and believe, now more than ever, in the value of our unique approach in today’s exceptionally competitive market.” Demand for world-class leadership has never been more pronounced, said Mr. Johnson. “Our clients continue to seek Crist|Kolder’s unparalleled access to the marketplace, as well as our ability to quickly execute with surgical precision.”

“The convergence of our Fortune 1000 clients driving accelerated transformations, record levels of private equity activity, the surge in SPACs and IPOs, the impact of remote work dynamic, and the exodus of the baby boomer generation have created a paradigm shift in the leadership landscape of corporate America,” said Mr. Simmons. “In this climate, talent has all the leverage,” said Josh Crist.

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.

Mr. Simmons leads and executes senior financial officer, operating officer, and board of director searches for clients across a diverse set of industries. He began his executive search career in 1998. Mr. Simmons has served a variety of clients, both public and private. His client list includes exceptional companies such as ManpowerGroup, CDW, Morningstar, Discover Financial, CSX, S&P Global, Culligan, Fiserv, Mutual of Omaha, Ingredion, Allstate, Lakeland Financial and D.A. Davidson. Prior to helping launch Crist|Kolder Associates in 2003, he was with Korn Ferry for three years.

Josh Crist focuses on the recruitment of financial officers across varied industries including retail, consumer goods, manufacturing, healthcare/medical devices, and financial services. His client coverage spans publicly traded, private equity owned and privately held companies. With expertise covering CFO and direct report placement, Mr. Crist has partnered with clients such as Corning, Dollar General, Shutterfly, Playtika, Cox Media, Macy’s, Churchill Downs, ClubCorp, Intrado, Bed Bath & Beyond and Panduit. He has also established relationships with top-tier private equity firms such as Apollo Global Management, Centerbridge Partners and Cerberus. Prior to joining Crist|Kolder in 2008, Mr. Crist worked in the Chicago office of DHR Global.

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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