Kincannon & Reed

About Us

Food and agriculture: industries as unique as the people who lead them. And no one knows them like we do. We’re Kincannon & Reed, a global executive search firm exclusively serving organizations within the food and agriculture industries.

Our approach is different
With 40 years of experience across diverse international sectors, we know the caliber of leaders needed to shape a promising future for the food and agriculture industries.

We’ve sat in your chair.
Empty seats at your leadership table or ineffective executives hurt profits, morale, and market share. Our principals are well-networked, former industry executives who understand your priorities and the talent you seek. We advise you as a colleague or peer, rather than an outsider. Learn who we are.

Knowing your next leader is our job.
We are a team of search professionals serving clients focused on feeding the world and keeping it healthy. We leverage our deep industry knowledge, data, and connections to identify and place leaders with the right experiences, values, and cultural fit. Learn who we serve.

Providing search expertise and more
Our search professionals partner with you throughout the process. We ask questions, listen for understanding, and assess candidates from the informed perspective of former executives. We have a genuine interest in your organization’s next leader. Learn what we do.

Kincannon & Reed

Our Team

David Turner

Chairman of the Board & Managing Partner

Kelly Griffin

Vice President, Search Delivery

Ed Yuhas

Managing Director

Gary Weihs

Managing Partner

Jim Gerardot Jr.

Managing Partner

Jon Leafstedt

Managing Partner

Michael Whitney

Managing Partner

Phillip Osborne

Managing Partner

Cassie Edgar

Managing Director

Carolyn Schubert

Managing Director

Michael Cooper

Managing Director

Paul Izenstark

Managing Director

Paul Miller

Managing Director

Ricardo Casiuch

Managing Director

Roger Peeters

Managing Director

Sally Day

Managing Director

Arlene Margolis

Senior Associate

Caroline Petit

Senior Associate

Warren Ward

Managing Director

Crystal Strauss

Director

Gabriella Snoeck

Director

Lisa Flynn

Senior Associate

Mariana Liou

Senior Associate

Melissa Karman

Senior Associate

Pam Capasso

Senior Associate

Pat Rojas

Senior Associate

Susan Stanley

Senior Associate

Whitney Dooley

Senior Associate

Kimberly Bretz

Managing Director

Oliver Cassels

Associate Managing Director | Europe

Stephen Coffey

Director | Saratoga, NY

Aidan Connolly

Managing Director

Christophe Dumont

Managing Director

Patrick Fitzgerald

Managing Director

Heiri Gugger, PhD

Managing Director

Philippe Huet

Managing Director | The Randstad, Netherlands

Lisa Johnson

Managing Director

Lloyd Le Page

Managing Director

Abby McMillin

Senior Associate

Jo Nicholls

Senior Associate | London, United Kingdom

Meghann Salus

Senior Associate | Greater Chicago Area

Jared Spader

Managing Director

Samantha Tindell

Senior Associate

Attila von Hankó

Director & Associate Partner

Emily Wagner

Senior Associate | Des Moines, IA

John Wright

Managing Director

You’re looking for an impact player. Start by meeting ours.
We are a team of search professionals who know the value of qualified leadership, diversity, and the important role we play in the future of the food and agriculture industries – our reputation proves it.

Kincannon & Reed

Solutions And Expertise

Serving clients who feed the world and keep it healthy.
We’re a firm with a focus – specializing in delivering leaders. Our clients from across the globe are all types and sizes of organizations. If food and agriculture are part of your business model, we have principals with experience and connections in your industry.

Executive Roles in Which We Specialize
Whether you’re looking for a CEO, research leader, marketing strategist or operations head, Kincannon & Reed’s executive level search experience spans diverse functional roles.

Kincannon & Reed

News Briefings

Kincannon & Reed Fills Senior Position for CropLife America

Executive recruitment firm Kincannon & Reed, which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has helped to recruit Jeff Blackwood as vice president of government relations at CropLife America in Arlington, VA. Principals Heinrich Gugger and Stephen Coffey led the assignment. “The CropLife America board of directors is pleased to welcome Jeff Blackwood as the

Kincannon & Reed Recruits President and CEO for CropLife America

Executive recruitment firm Kincannon & Reed, which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has assisted in the recruitment of Alexandra Dunn as the new president and CEO of CropLife America in Arlington, VA. Heinrich Gugger, Stephen Coffey, Melissa Karman, Sally Day, and Jon Leafstedt led the assignment. “The CropLife America board of directors

3 Actions for Successful Inclusive Leadership

The jury is in: inclusive leadership is successful leadership. According to a recent Kincannon & Reed survey, food and agriculture industry executives indicated that critical leadership characteristics in executive recruitment and engagement include emotional intelligence (74 percent) and diversity, equity and inclusion (77 percent). The growing interest in diversity expectations from employees, customers, and shareholders

Kincannon & Reed Announces Leadership Changes

Executive recruitment firm Kincannon & Reed, which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has started the year with some leadership changes. After four years of dedicated service as the president of Kincannon & Reed, managing partner David Turner will assume the role of chairman of the board. “This transition is a carefully considered step

> <

Kincannon & Reed

Press Releases

K&R Partners with ALCIVIA on CMCO Search

Leading agricultural cooperative, ALCIVIA, recently appointed Leslie Osman as its new Chief Marketing & Communications Officer (CMCO). In her new role, Osman will lead a high-performing team responsible for creating innovative marketing initiatives that drive brand awareness, customer acquisition and retention, and revenue growth. By leveraging market research and data analytics, she will identify key

National Chicken Council Partners with K&R on President & CEO Search

The National Chicken Council’s (NCC) Board of Directors today announced that Harrison Kircher has been named NCC President and CEO, effective January 1, 2025. “On behalf of the NCC Board of Directors, I congratulate Harrison on his appointment as the new President and CEO,” said NCC Chairman Bill Griffith, Peco Foods. “Harrison’s dedication, expertise, and

Chief Integration Officer Placed by K&R

Leading natural aroma ingredients manufacturer AXXENCE Group recently welcomed Shawn Blythe to their team as the Chief Integration Officer. A twenty-year flavors and fragrance industry veteran, Blythe began his career as an electrical engineer where he designed process control systems for a fragrance plant. This foundational experience paved the way for his transition into plant

Sales Leader Placed by K&R at Indiana Packers

Premier vertically integrated pork company Indiana Packers Corporation (IPC) recently welcomed Mike Riley to the organization as the new Vice President of Processed Meat Sales. A seasoned sales leader, Riley brings more than three decades of experience in food production across a variety of functions. Throughout his tenure in the industry, he’s held roles with

> <