Holden Richardson Assists Shaw Development with CEO Search

January 31, 2025 – Holden Richardson recently helped to recruit experienced industry executive Andrew Sexton as the new CEO of Shaw Development in Bonita Springs, FL. “His expertise in product development and multi-channel automotive supply chain positions him perfectly to lead Shaw Development forward,” the company said.
Mr. Sexton most recently served as CEO of All Star Auto Parts, where gained leadership experience over a 25-year career that spans automotive manufacturing and distribution sectors across the Americas, EMEA, and Asia Pacific. Prior to joining All Star Auto Parts, he held notable leadership roles at Federal-Mogul and Tenneco.
Shaw Development is the leader in providing environmentally supportive, government-mandated technologies with advancing after-treatment solutions, sensors and filters capable of meeting the rigorous environmental standards including flow, filter, cooling and sensor technology for heavy duty equipment and alternative fuel types utilizing Shaw’s core competencies and rapid response engineering solutions. The company is a portfolio holding of Madison Dearborn Partners.
Holden Richardson is a boutique executive recruiting firm focused on building leadership teams in the diversified industrial space, with a strong concentration in automotive, on-and off-highway and specialty equipment OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and their tier-one and tier-two supply base. The firm works globally and supports a broad range of clients headquartered both in and outside of the U.S. Holden Richardson has a track record of working with large F500 companies as well as small venture backed companies at the opposite end of the spectrum. The firm has locations in Chicago, Detroit, Austin, Houston, and San Francisco.
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Brad Holden is a founding partner of Holden Richardson and has over 30 years of recruiting experience. Prior to venturing out on his own, he was with Heidrick & Struggles, where he served as practice leader, global automotive and as a partner in the global industrial practice from 2004 to 2010.
Executive Search in 2024: Challenges, Trends, and Hopes for a Hiring Resurgence in 2025
For many search firms in almost all industry segments, 2024 has been a tough year. There are many reasons for the recent downturn, and some firms have experienced a dip in revenues for even longer, according to Tim Tolan, founder, chairman, and managing partner of The Tolan Group. “Lots of changes are on the horizon for 2025 on the hiring front, and search firms are waiting with bated breath while hiring decisions are on hold, and draft fee agreements are (still) sitting in DocuSign waiting to be signed,” he said. “Decisions are dragging, as are active search engagements, as hiring managers and leaders struggle to make hiring decisions in the environment, we are all trying to navigate.”
In the Hunt Scanlon 2024 Executive Recruiting State of the Industry Report, the numbers reflected a double-digit downturn in demand for executive recruiting, with the private equity sector being the most affected. “We’ve seen and experienced that firsthand, but we feel positive changes are on the horizon,” Mr. Tolan said.
Alex Richardson is a founding partner at Holden Richardson and has over 20 years of recruiting experience. He has served automotive and diversified manufacturing clients including original equipment manufacturers, tier one and tier two parts suppliers, engineering service providers, as well as aftermarket manufacturers. Mr. Richardson has managed assignments for CEOs, chief operating officers, divisional presidents and functional heads with a concentration in operations, supply chain management, engineering and commercial leadership roles.
B&R Auto Search
Holden Richardson also recently placed Cris Hollingsworth as the new CEO of B&R Auto, a leading value-added provider of recycled automotive parts and a portfolio company of Highview Capital, LLC. joins B&R with over 20 years of experience in the auto aftermarket industry. Mr. Hollingsworth most recently served as co-CEO and president of Reparify Global Holdings, where he oversaw global operations, strategy, and growth initiatives.
“We are very excited to have Cris join the team,” said Jonathan Greenway, managing director at Highview Capital and executive chairman at B&R. “Cris is a culture carrier who brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in the auto aftermarket. He will be a transformative leader for B&R’s continued growth trajectory.”
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media