About Us

Based in California, we are the premier executive recruiting resource for Sales, Marketing, Operations, and Executive Leadership professionals across the United States. TurningPoint was first conceived in 2007 in San Diego, a unique business community driven by a diverse industry base and entrepreneurial spirit. The vast majority of these are small, privately-held organizations including numerous start-up companies, a myriad of family-owned and operated businesses, and many public, and Fortune 1000 companies. This unique marketplace served as the catalyst for launching TurningPoint Executive Search, a new type of hybrid executive search firm that effectively supports companies of all sizes and structures.

Our team of executive recruiters offers more than 80 years of combined experience in recruiting, human resources, sales, marketing, training, and management. By combining a local presence with national search capabilities, TurningPoint has built a reputation as a world-class executive search firm. Our access to Global Resources uniquely positions us to work with companies of all sizes, industries, and structures. As a TurningPoint partner, we will help you to identify, attract, and retain tomorrow’s leaders today.

Whether you are a company seeking to fill a challenging position through an effective and targeted recruiting process, or a professional looking for support to connect with your ideal employer, our executive search firm was built with you in mind.

Recent Placements

Meet Our Team

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MEET THE TURNINGPOINT EXECUTIVE RECRUITING TEAM
Our executive recruiting team of professionals offers more than 80 years of combined experience in executive recruiting, career coaching, human resources, training, and management. At TurningPoint we are extremely proud of our highly collaborative approach. Our entire team touches every search, contributing to the research, marketing, sourcing, vetting and recruiting efforts that result in our 94% fill ratio. We believe the key to making a successful executive hire that sticks is taking a holistic and inclusive approach to identifying, screening and interviewing candidates.

Each member of our executive recruiting team is committed to our Core Values: Being High Touch, Accessible, and Responsive; Building Open and Honest Relationships through Candid Conversations; Fostering a Family Spirit and Personal Growth; and Making Long-Term Placements, not Short-Term Commissions.

Solutions And Expertise

Solutions
  • Executive Search
Industries
  • Advertising/Marketing
  • All Industries
  • Associations
  • Automotive
  • Biotechnology
  • Clean Tech./Sustain.
  • Cloud Based
  • Cybersecurity
  • Data & Analytics
  • Devices
  • Energy
  • Engineering & Archit.
  • FinTech
  • Foundations
  • High Tech
  • Investment Mgmt.
  • Manufacturing
  • Medical
  • Medical Devices
  • Private Equity
  • Software
  • Supply Chain
  • Wealth Management
Functions
  • Board/Governance
  • Business Development
  • CEO/President
  • Communications/PR
  • General Management
  • GM/Operations
  • Government
  • Human Resources
  • Marketing & Sales
  • Supply Chain

News Briefings

Five Tips to Help You Help Your Recruiter to Land Your Next Role

You just know the executive search recruiter you connected with is going to help you land your next job! He already has three roles he thought you’d be perfect for. Now, you just need to wait anxiously for the phone call to get the ball rolling, right? But, after hours, days, or maybe weeks of

Tips for Retaining Your Talent  

If you’re surprised your A-player is leaving, you’re in good company. Too often, employers miss the strongest weapon in their arsenal against employee turnover—communication. Quality communication goes beyond annual reviews and occasional check-ins, according to Ken Schmitt and Victoria Willenberg of TurningPoint Executive Search, in a new report. Big box retailers, large tech companies, and

TurningPoint Executive Search Recruits COO for Kia America

TurningPoint Executive Search recently recruited Steven Center as executive vice president and chief operating officer of Kia America. Senior partner Raquel Gallant led the assignment. “Steven is a proven innovator with an impressive track record within the automotive industry,” said Ms. Gallant. “I knew he was the whole package when I got to know him and learned

Talentor International Adds TurningPoint Executive Search to Network

Executive search consortium Talentor International has expanded its presence with the addition of TurningPoint Executive Search in San Diego, CA. TurningPoint Executive Search offers a comprehensive approach to placing mid- and senior-level sales, marketing, operations and executive leadership talent throughout Southern California, the U.S. and internationally. The firm has placed over 400 high performing professionals by partnering

Press Releases

TurningPoint Executive Search Placement ~ Brand Genius of The Year

San Diego, September 14, 2022 – Adweek announced TurningPoint Executive Search KIA placement, Russell Wager, as a 2022 Brand Genius Award recipient. TurningPoint placed Wagner as the Director of Advertising and Media in 2019 after presenting some of the nation’s top marketing professionals. Wager demonstrated the expertise, creativity, and innovative thinking KIA was looking for. He was quickly promoted

TurningPoint Executive Search Managing Director, nominated for San Diego Business Journal’s 2022 40 Under 40

Raquel Gallant has demonstrated high-quality leadership, client engagement, and mentorship since she began with TurningPoint Executive Search in 2019. Her experience in the recruiting industry and leadership skills far surpass her nearly 8 years in the recruiting industry. We are thrilled to see her gifts and accomplishments acknowledged! As the Managing Director, Executive Search, Raquel

TurningPoint Exec Search’s New Managing Director

Ken Schmitt & Victoria Willenberg Raquel Gallant New Managing Director at TurningPoint Exec SearchWeeks after celebrating her three-year anniversary with TurningPoint Exec Search, Raquel Gallant has been promoted a second time, to Managing Director. Raquel demonstrates high-quality leadership, client engagement, and mentorship since she began with TurningPoint Executive Search in 2019. Her experience in the

TurningPoint Executive Search Managing Partner Named “Super Volunteer”

(2022) TurningPoint’s Managing Partner, Marketing & Operations, Elaine Rosen, has been appropriately named, “Super Volunteer” by the Scripps Ranch News. In her seven years with the Scripps Ranch High School Boosters, she has worn many hats from communications, website development, and volunteer coordinator, annual tournament director, and most notably, President. “When my daughter told me

TurningPoint Executive Search Celebrates 15 Year Anniversary

(2022) TurningPoint Executive Search anniversary ~ 15 years of successful partnerships and placements. Founded in 2007 after many years in the recruiting industry and a lifetime of entrepreneurship in his DNA, TurningPoint’s CEO, Ken Schmitt, sets a standard for a superb quality, high-touch, personalized recruiting partnerships with organizations in various business structures, including privately held,