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.
Global leadership advisory firm Allen Austin has been selected by Baylor College of Medicine to lead its search for a new chief information officer. Leading the assignment are chief executive officer Rob Andrews, managing partner Jim Thompson, and senior partner Brian Johnston. Baylor College of Medicine, located in the Texas Medical Center in Houston, is a health sciences university. It
Global leadership advisory firm Allen Austin has added Rob Easley as a partner and global retail practice leader and Chris Reinsvold as a partner in the firm’s industrial practice. Both join Allen Austin in Houston. Mr. Easley, who becomes a senior member of the firm’s strategy, purpose and change management practices, conducts senior level searches across all retail categories including supermarkets, convenience
Global leadership advisory firm Allen Austin has opened its new healthcare practice with the addition of Brian A. Johnston as senior partner and healthcare practice leader. Mr. Johnston brings over 25 years of broad-based healthcare executive search management experience to the firm. From Allen Austin’s Nashville offices, Mr. Johnston will partner with board members and senior leadership within the healthcare
Global leadership advisory firm Allen Austin has added Steve Leatherman as a partner in its Nevada office. Mr. Leatherman has more than 30 years of broad-based life science & healthcare business management experience. He focuses on all aspects of the life science and healthcare industry as well as general management searches for medium and Fortune 500 class enterprises.His areas of
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