About Us

At McDermott + Bull we have been redefining expectations of executive search since 2001. Rather than focus on a transaction, we focus on what matters most to you and your team: strategic alignment and long term relationships. We want to get to know you, your needs, and your goals so we can find the best fit for your company and culture.

We’re not going to fill a job; you can do that on your own. We’re going to bring you a game changer to challenge the norm. We look forward to partnering with you.

ACHIEVEMENTS

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EXECUTIVE SEARCH

Leveraging deep vertical experience, innovative thinking, and proven time-saving methodologies, we challenge the norm and thrive in the recruitment of difficult-to-find VP to C-Suite executive talent. We value a personalized service model while having the resources and capabilities of the world’s largest search firms. With experienced partners in the United States, Canada, and Europe, we are the trusted retained search advisor for empowering change on behalf of private and public companies, nonprofit organizations, private equity firms, and their operating companies.

 INTERIM LEADERS

We are a unique, personalized, and urgent service that places performance focused senior-level executives into consultative roles to manage business challenges and opportunities during a time of transformation. The interim leader talent pool consists of senior-level professionals across a diverse functional spectrum who meet the rigorous qualifications to work on time-sensitive engagements. We specialize in placing finance, technology, human resources, and operations functions.

Solutions And Expertise

Solutions
  • Board Services
  • Career Services
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Executive Search
  • Interim
  • Leadership Develop.
  • Mgmt. Consulting
  • Recruitment Research
Industries
  • Accounting/Audit
  • Advertising/Marketing
  • Aerospace/Defense
  • Agriculture
  • Associations
  • Automotive
  • Biotechnology
  • Chemicals
  • Clean Tech./Sustain.
  • Cloud Based
  • Colleges/Universities
  • Commercial Banking
  • Communications
  • Construction
  • Consulting
  • Consumer
  • Consumer Products
  • Consumer Services
  • Cultural Arts
  • Cybersecurity
  • Education
  • Energy
  • Engineering & Archit.
  • Faith Based
  • Family Offices
  • Financial Services
  • FinTech
  • Foundations
  • Healthcare Services
  • Industrial
  • Industrial Products
  • Insurance
  • Internet
  • Investment Banking
  • Investment Mgmt.
  • Life Sci./Healthcare
  • Luxury
  • Media & Entertainment
  • Medical
  • Medical Devices
  • Mobile
  • Natural Resources
  • Non-Profit
  • Oil & Gas
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Private Banking
  • Private Equity
  • Professional Services
  • Restaurants
  • Retail
  • Software
  • Sports
  • Supply Chain
  • Technology
  • Transportation
  • Travel, Hosp. & Leisure
  • Utilities
  • Venture Capital
Functions
  • Board/Governance
  • Business Development
  • CEO/President
  • Communications/PR
  • Data/Analytics
  • Development
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Finance/Accounting
  • General Management
  • GM/Operations
  • Government
  • Human Resources
  • Information/Digital
  • Invest. Mgmt./Banking
  • Manufacturing
  • Marketing & Sales
  • Medical/Clinical
  • Research & Develop.
  • Risk Management
  • Supply Chain

News Briefings

A ‘Historic’ Past Two Years and What’s Coming for 2023

With almost 25 years of experience in retained executive search, Chris Bull, co-founder and managing partner of executive search firm McDermott + Bull, is often asked what his firm is seeing in the market and what he expects moving forward. In summarizing what he has seen over the last 24 months, and making predictions for

The Benefits of Having a Diverse Skill-Set

Regardless of industry, size, or goals, every organization will face its own set of ongoing challenges, from new competitors and market fluctuations, to media scrutiny, to evolving technologies. A leadership team and board that embraces a diverse combination of skill-sets and perspectives is better equipped to navigate challenges as they arise. A recent analysis by

The CEO’s Role in Digital Transformation

Digital transformation is on a lot of people’s minds, and many chief executive officers are struggling to figure out where they fit within this. The CEO’s responsibility is to serve as the heartbeat of an organization, driving culture from the top down, owning and meeting key business objectives, and influencing internal and external stakeholders to

The High Demand for Higher Education Leaders Continues

With a new school year approaching, a number of top colleges and universities have announced they are seeking new, high profile leaders to take them into new eras of fundraising, digitalization, sports and, in some cases, globalization. Several universities haven’t changed leaders in years or even decades, and their boards of trustees and search committees

Press Releases

McDermott + Bull Interim Leaders Welcomes New Managing Director

IRVINE, CA (November 7, 2022) –  Philip Spellman joins McDermott + Bull Interim Leaders, the trusted partner for time-sensitive interim solutions, as a Managing Director in the California Bay Area. With more than 15 years of experience in professional services organizations, Philip will be instrumental in partnering with clients to provide interim solutions that address

McDermott + Bull Places General Counsel + Corporate Secretary, Washington Trust Bank

(April 4, 2022) McDermott + Bull has successfully placed John Eagan as the General Counsel + Corporate Secretary for Washington Trust Bank. John will oversee the legal department responsible for leading the bank’s strategic and tactical legal initiatives and providing legal advice and counsel to bank management and the board of directors. John joins Washington Trust

McDermott + Bull Places Vice President of Consumer Lending, Valley Strong Credit Union

(April 1, 2022) McDermott + Bull has successfully placed Joshua Fetting as Vice President of Consumer Lending at Valley Strong Credit Union. As Head of Consumer Lending, Joshua will be charged with driving the growth of Valley Strong’s consumer loan portfolio by creating a frictionless member experience. Joshua will provide leadership to the consumer lending

McDermott + Bull Places Corporate Controller, United Pacific

(March 24, 2022) McDermott + Bull has successfully placed Michael Lee as Corporate Controller at private equity-backed United Pacific. Reporting to the CFO, Michael will be charged with overseeing the accounting department, including inventory, A/P, A/R, payroll, tax, and general ledger accounting. He will communicate clearly and effectively to senior management and operations personnel, lead successful

McDermott + Bull Places Chief Financial Officer, Lugano Diamonds

(March 24, 2022) McDermott + Bull has successfully placed Mike McGee as Chief Financial Officer at private equity-backed Lugano Diamonds. Mike will be charged with ensuring tactical execution of the CEO’s strategic vision, while partnering with the leadership team and board. He will have direct supervision of the finance and accounting function, including creating and

Multimedia

Blogs:
Investor Insights with Ken Dropiewski
Measure Up Monday
An Inclusion + Belonging Story
What Keeps You on Top: Chapter 7
Leading Through Uncertainty: The COVID Executive Officer
A New Level of Innovation Post-COVID-19: Insights from Business Leaders
Getting Familiar with Interim Roles
The Value of Special Reports

White Papers: 
Life Sciences + Healthcare 2022 State of the Market for Executive Hiring
Black History Month: Honoring Black Canadian Musicians
Real Estate — A Look Into the Build Back Better Plan
Culture Report — It’s Time to Thrive
Cause + Effect: Top Drivers of the Great Disruption
Finding + Retaining Executive Leaders in 2022: What 2021 Taught Us
2021 Executive Search by the Numbers – A Year in Review
Do We Still Need Gay Pride? by Alex Verdecchia
Healthcare + Life Sciences
Consumer Brands — Food + Beverage Market Update
Life Science + MedTech Executives Managing Reduced Business Travel
Talent Assessment
2021…Cautiously Optimistic
Sustainability in Aerospace + Emerging Executive Roles
The Case for Promoting Women
Space Logistics — New Frontiers in 2021
LAPA Feature: “Six Provocative Interview Questions When Hiring Fundraisers”
The Case for Promoting Women
White Paper: Space Logistics — New Frontiers in 2021
2021 Food + Beverage Industry Update
White Paper: 2021 Aerospace + Defense State of the Industry
White Paper: 2021 State of the Market
Life Sciences + Healthcare 2021 State of the Market for Executive Hiring
6 Trends Driving Nonprofit Hiring in 2021