Allen Austin is a Houston-headquartered retained executive search and leadership advisory firm, founded in 1996, with partners managing client engagements from offices across North America and Europe. In 30 years of continuous operation, the firm has completed more than 4,000 retained engagements without abandoning a single assignment — a record that reflects a fundamental commitment to seeing every engagement through to a successful outcome.
The firm’s approach to executive search is governed by Foresight™, a proprietary evidence-based process developed and refined over three decades. Unlike conventional search, Foresight™ begins with a rigorous Organizational and Position Needs Analysis — defining culture, performance expectations, and measurable success criteria before a single candidate is sourced. The result is a 92% placement retention rate at the two-year mark, compared to a 55% industry average, and a 97% offer-to-acceptance ratio, compared to a 70% industry norm. Every placement above $250,000 in total compensation is backed by a full two-year guarantee.
Allen Austin’s capabilities extend beyond search to include leadership assessment through its proprietary VantagePoint™ platform, executive coaching, organizational culture and performance advisory, founder and board advisory, and interim and fractional leadership placement. These capabilities are designed as an integrated system that supports the full leadership lifecycle — from organizational health diagnostics to executive placement, onboarding, and long-term leadership development.
Every engagement is led by a senior partner from start to finish. There are no junior handoffs. Clients engage the firm for a single search and frequently return for broader leadership challenges that arise in the course of that search.
Rob Andrews, Chairman and CEO, founded Allen Austin after a career as an operating president with P&L responsibility for enterprises of up to $2.4 billion in revenue and 10,600 employees. He is the author of High-Performance Human Capital Leadership and has been published in several professional publications, including the National Association of Corporate Directors’ Directorship Magazine on board governance and leadership risk. He is currently completing doctoral work in organizational leadership at the University of Texas.
Executive search firm Allen Austin has expanded into the Cuban market and assigned search consultants Manuel Corsino and Clement Wigger to lead the firm’s growth in the region. In anticipation of Cuba experiencing robust growth in technology, telecommunications and tourism, Allen Austin’s Latin American search practice is partnering with global companies that are establishing their footprint on the
Global leadership advisory firm Allen Austin has recently opened offices in Minneapolis, Miami, and Mexico City, with an additional office scheduled to open next month in Buenos Aires. The firm has added five new partners to its team as a part of a strategy to broaden its industry and functional expertise and geographic coverage. Ron Woessner, who will operate from the
Global leadership advisory firm Allen Austin has launched a new global technology practice. It will be led by Rod Keller and co-led by Clement J. Wigger from the firm’s Austin office and will focus on helping organizations identify, attract, develop, and retain tech talent. The practice will be focused on critical growth areas in the sector including hardware systems
Global leadership advisory firm Allen Austin has launched a new power & clean technology practice. Managing partner Jim Thompson will lead the new practice and he will be joined by fellow managing partners Mary Campagnano and Gary Payne. Allen Austin’s new sector orientation will be focused on critical growth areas, including solar, wind, fuel cells, energy storage,
Insights & Thought Leadership
What Apple’s CEO Transition Got Right And Why Most Boards Overlook This Lesson – boardmember.com
Why leadership assessments are failing HR leaders—and how to fix them – HR Executive Magazine
Why Execution Risk Fails to Show Up in Board Materials – National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) Online