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.

Our Team

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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.

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.

News Briefings

Kincannon & Reed Recruits CEO for Highline Mushrooms

Agribusinesses worldwide face a host of challenges as they navigate their complicated mission of feeding the growing world population. This has led to high demand for new leaders among food businesses and agricultural organizations. Executive recruitment firm Kincannon & Reed, which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, recently placed Jose Cambon as the new CEO

Kincannon & Reed Strengthens Search Staff

Executive recruitment firm Kincannon & Reed, which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has expanded with the addition of Aidan Connolly as a managing director. “Aidan is well known in the industry, with a reputation as a relationship builder who gets to the root of the problem and develops a practical solution,” said

Kincannon & Reed Recruits New Leader for Center for Food Integrity

Executive recruitment firm Kincannon & Reed has assisted in the recruitment of Mickie French as the new executive director of the Center for Food Integrity (CFI). She takes over for Terry Fleck, who announced his retirement late last year. Principals Paul Izenstark, Jon Leafstedt, and Jared Spader led the assignment. “Bringing a wealth of knowledge with her to the role,

Kincannon & Reed Expands Senior Search Staff

Executive recruitment firm Kincannon & Reed has expanded with the addition of  Lloyd Le Page as managing director. “Lloyd’s extensive background across the value chain paired with his demonstrated business and market development skills – both domestic and international – will provide our clients with an unmatched level of insight and strategy,” said David Turner, president of the

Press Releases

K&R places CEO/Executive Director at Food Export Associations

(January 13, 2023) Earlier this week, Brendan Wilson assumed his new role as Executive Director & CEO of both Food Export – Midwest and Food Export – Northeast. In his new role with the non-profits, Wilson is responsible for the overall management of the combined organizations. He is tasked with developing strategic programming as well

K&R partners with SyAqua for successful CEO search

(December 2022) Earlier this month, SyAqua Group appointed Fred Kao as the organization’s new Chief Executive Officer. With a 20-year history in the genetics industry, Kao has a proven track record of successfully growing businesses and building teams. Prior to joining SyAqua, he held roles with Amlan International – US, Cobb-Vantress – China and Aviagen

K&R Places CEO at Plant-Based Protein Company

(November 2022) Alternative and specialty protein space veteran Kip Underwood joined Burcon NutraScience Corporation, a global leader in plant-based proteins and ingredients technologies, earlier this week. In his new role, Underwood is tasked with leading the continued growth of the company. Working closely with the board and senior leadership, he is responsible for the development

K&R places VP Process Engineering

(November 2022) New Jersey based baking company Damascus Bakeries welcomed Vince Pietrantonio to the organization this week as its new Vice President of Process Engineering. A skilled operations leader, Pietrantonio brings more than two decades of experience in food processing and packaging. His previous roles have included plant management and project engineering, including responsibilities associated with