DHR International Adds Managing Partner to Focus on Corporate Affairs
March 18, 2020 – Chicago-based search firm DHR International has expanded with the addition of John Hesse as managing partner focusing in corporate affairs. DHR said that the practice will “focus on identifying skilled communications professionals who anticipate challenges and employ smart, strategic plans to advance the mission of clients by communicating with, engaging, influencing and managing external audiences.”
Mr. Hesse is a former practitioner with a proven record of shaping public policy proactively in order to enhance reputations, open markets, create business opportunities, and defend against punitive legislation and regulatory initiatives. He brings a thorough understanding of the multi-faceted external communications function and deep connections to the highest skilled communicators and budding talent around the world.
Prior to joining DHR, Mr. Hesse served as the government and public affairs practice leader for The McCormick Group, working on retained searches for lobbyists, government relations and public affairs professionals for corporations, associations, law firms and consulting firms, as well as state, federal and international government affairs opportunities. He also provided confidential candidate representation to lawyers, lobbyists and public affairs professionals seeking new roles. A key aspect of his work involved representing senior government officials and legislative staff looking to transition to the private sector.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Hesse managed his own consulting firm, CERO Strategies, as the chief legal officer and vice president of government and public affairs at SOHO Resource Group Inc. and as a senior attorney and director of government relations for Direct Selling Association.
Since 1989, DHR International has been a leading, privately held provider of executive search solutions with more than 50 wholly-owned offices spanning the globe. DHR’s consultants specialize in all industries and functions, providing senior-level executive search, management assessment and succession planning services tailored to the qualities and specifications of its client base.
Recent Growth
Recently, DHR expanded the offerings of Elevate Partners, its talent advisory business, to include six service areas focused on helping clients build strong and effective teams. The firm also appointed Christine Greybe as president of its advisory unit. She now manages the relaunch of Elevate Partners. The firm was originally launched in 2016 to provide leadership assessment, succession planning and executive onboarding advisory services. Its expanded line of offerings now includes: executive succession planning, team effectiveness, executive coaching, culture accelerator, private equity diligence and assessment. All service offerings are led by the Elevate Partners team who bring more than 40 years of collective experience in leadership development, succession planning and assessment.
This past fall, DHR announced new appointments in its global real estate practice. Martin Nass was promoted to vice chairman in addition to his role as co-managing partner, real estate. Vince Saunders was named co-managing partner, real estate. Together the two lead the firm’s global real estate practice, which spans North America, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, and North Africa. Since 2015, Mr. Nass has led DHR’s global real estate practice as managing partner. As vice chairman, he also assumed additional responsibilities with an emphasis on associate and partner team development, associate professional development and career development of associates and principals. Mr. Saunders brings over 25 years of real estate experience to his new role, offering clients a unique understanding of their leadership needs and strategic business dynamics.
DHR also acquired OBEN Search last year, a boutique recruiter for the oil and gas industries. The firm’s founder, Michael Wing, joined DHR as managing partner in the oil and gas industries sector practice. Mr. Wing has more than 18 years of experience as a retained search executive, primarily in the oil and gas sector in the U.S., Canada, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
