Wray Executive Search

About Us

For 50 years, Wray Executive Search has successfully provided executive search and advisory services, recruiting impressive leadership teams for many of the nation’s most successful restaurant, foodservice, hospitality, franchise and retail companies. Our primary focus has always been and remains aligning candidates who have the appropriate blend of knowledge, skill, attitude, experience and commitment with our clients’ needs. Our client partners range from multinationals to entrepreneurial startups both private and public.

Our team of executives has developed broad-based expertise coupled with an impeccable reputation for creativity building the teams and human capital strategies that contribute to the progress of bringing the brands to the top of their respective segments. We are vested in the process and the ultimate success of each candidate placed.

We provide an unparalleled commitment to the recruitment of an organization’s most critical players—C-level professionals, Functional Vice Presidents, and Director- level executives. Services are tailored to our clients’ specific hiring and assessment objectives. We work tenaciously until an assignment is complete, with a strong client focus and a commitment to quality on every engagement.

Wray Executive Search has depth and breadth of experience conducting searches both domestically and internationally in the following areas:

  • Board Members • C Level • Operations • Financial • Marketing
  • Human Resources • Business Development • Supply Chain
  • Manufacturing • Culinary • Construction • Training
  • Quality Assurance • Franchise Sales • IT

Our clients include billion dollar brands, mid-market and emerging companies. We work closely with both public and private boards and leadership teams. We boast relationships with many of the top industry involved private equity firms. We are engaged as a “Retained” firm to represent our client’s interests and deliver the most talented executives within their respective segments.

Recent Placements

Wray Executive Search

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Wray Executive Search is led by an elite recruitment team of accomplished professionals who combine personal experience in the restaurant, foodservice, hospitality, and franchise industries with expertise in executive search.

 

Wray Executive Search

Solutions And Expertise

What We Do – We provide an unparalleled commitment to the recruitment of an organization’s most critical players—C-level professionals, VP’s, and Director level executives. Services are tailored to our clients’ specific hiring and assessment objectives. We work tenaciously until an assignment is complete, with a strong client focus and a commitment to quality on every engagement.

Executive Talent Disciplines – Wray Executive Search has depth and breadth of experience conducting searches both domestically and internationally in the following areas:

Solutions
  • Advisory Services
  • Board Services
  • Career Services
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Executive Search
  • Leadership Consulting
  • Leadership Develop.
  • Onboarding
  • Succession Planning
Industries
  • Consumer Products
  • Restaurants
  • Retail
  • Travel, Hosp. & Leisure
Functions
  • Board/Governance
  • Business Development
  • C-Level
  • CEO/President
  • Communications/PR
  • Development
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Finance/Accounting
  • General Management
  • GM/Operations
  • Human Resources
  • Information/Digital
  • Legal/Compliance
  • Manufacturing
  • Marketing & Sales
  • Research & Develop.
  • Supply Chain

Wray Executive Search

News Briefings

The Key to Personal Success for C-Level Executives

For C-suite leaders, it’s widely accepted that assembling a high-performing team is fundamental to a company’s success. While this is true, a more nuanced and often overlooked perspective is how team building directly impacts a leader’s personal career trajectory and professional goals, according to a new article from Wray Executive Search’s Ray Kelley. “The reality

Wray Executive Search Appoints VP of Recruiting

The restaurant and foodservice industry is experiencing a dynamic shift as it continues to recover from pandemic-related disruptions while adapting to evolving consumer behaviors. Wray Executive Search, a provider of executive search and advisory services in the restaurant, foodservice, retail, and franchise industries, has named Monica de la Nuez as vice president of recruiting. “We

Will the Labor Shortage Ever End?

Labor shortages can occur due to various reasons, such as demographic shifts, changes in labor market conditions, skill mismatches, or economic factors. Ever since the pandemic, U.S. companies big and small have been scrambling to find enough workers to stay fully staffed, according to a new report from Bob Gershberg, managing partner and CEO of

Is the Non-Compete Soon to be History?

The federal government has announced a proposed rule which would ban non-compete agreements between employers and employees, independent contractors, externs, interns, volunteers, apprentices, and even sole proprietors who provide a service to a client or customer. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) stated the widespread use of non-competes agreements is an “often exploitative practice that suppresses

Wray Executive Search

Press Releases

Welcome Monica de la Nuez to the Wray Executive Search Team

We pride ourselves in recruiting superstars for our clients and history proves we have done this well. It is with great excitement and pride that we introduce to you the newest recruit to the Wray Executive Search team:Monica de la Nuez is the Vice President of Recruiting at Wray Executive Search. She helps top companies

Wray Executive Search Names Ray Kelley and Rebecca Patt Partner

St. Petersburg, FL, December 14, 2022 – Wray Executive Search, a leader in executive search and advisory services in the restaurant, foodservice, retail, and franchise industries is pleased to announce that Ray Kelley and Rebecca Patt have been named partner. Mr. Kelley and Ms. Patt will be responsible for growing Wray’s executive search operations across

Executive Chat – Dick Wray and Bob Gershberg – April 2022

Wray Search 50th Anniversary Special: Executive Chat with Wray Search Founder & Chairman Emeritus Dick Wray and current CEO & Managing Partner Bob Gershberg By Rebecca Patt, SVP Development, Wray Executive Search This year we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of Wray Executive Search, led by Founder & Chairman Emeritus Dick Wray and CEO &

Wray Executive Search Announces the Opening of Miami Office

(March 16, 2022) Wray Executive Search is pleased to announce the expansion into the influential Miami market with the opening of an office in the rapidly growing city. Rebecca Patt, who brings 18 years of executive search experience with Wray as Senior Vice President, will lead the Miami office. Rebecca has successfully completed searches for