JM Search Launches Team Dedicated to Serving the Aviation, Aerospace & Defense Sector
December 15, 2023 – JM Search has launched a dedicated team of recruiting experts focused on supporting the aviation, aerospace, and defense sector. In a sector that has experienced strong financial performance in recent years, JM Search has witnessed an increased demand from both investors and executives for key leaders within this sector. “JM Search has a significant track record in placing executives across the industrial industry, including businesses that serve the aerospace and defense end market,” said Bruce MacLane, principal and co-leader of the aviation, aerospace, and defense team. “By formalizing a focused team, we’re solidifying our commitment to bringing true industry expertise to every search we execute on.”
In support of the newly established aviation, aerospace, and defense team, JM Search also announced the addition of Alex Sanchez as principal. As co-leader of the new team, he will be instrumental in expanding the firm’s aviation, aerospace, and defense efforts nationally and on the West Coast. He brings 15 years of executive search experience to JM Search, most recently serving as a principal at Heidrick & Struggles, where he co-led the space practice and served as a core member of the firm’s aerospace & defense practice.
Previously, Mr. Sanchez was a sector leader and later principal in the aviation, aerospace & defense practice at Korn Ferry, where he supported and led numerous senior-level engagements, including CEOs, presidents, COOs, CFOs, and group P&L executives. Earlier in his career, he served in infantry and operations roles in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he deployed to Baghdad and Al Anbar Province in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
“I’m thrilled to join JM Search and partner with Bruce MacLane Jr. to strengthen our capabilities and deliver exceptional service and value to our clients,” said Mr. Sanchez. “I have long respected JM Search’s rigor and outstanding commitment to its clients. I look forward to applying my extensive recruiting and industry expertise to bring top tier talent to clients that will have an immediate and lasting impression on the business.”
Mr. MacLane is an accomplished and highly experienced talent executive who previously led global talent acquisition at Fortune 500 companies GE Aviation, Newell Brands, and Novelis. He joined JM Search in January 2022 and has been instrumental in driving growth with the firm’s aviation and aerospace-focused private equity clients.
Related: Transforming Portfolio Companies and Driving Value Creation via Human Capital
JM Search is an advisor to CEOs, investors, and boards of directors in recruiting, assessing, and delivering high performance leaders and transformational leadership teams. Its clients include private equity firms and portfolio companies, venture capital-backed businesses, and publicly held companies across North America. Founded in 1980, the JM Search recruiting team brings together former operating and financial executives, investors and experienced search professionals with deep industry specialization, functional expertise, and proven access to talent spanning multiple industry sectors.
Recent Growth
JM Search recently expanded with the addition of Laurie Rosenfield as partner and co-practice leader for the firm’s media, entertainment, martech & communications team. She will work alongside partner and co-practice leader, John Warrack to further expand the firm’s team dedicated to identifying and recruiting transformative leadership for companies sitting at the intersection of content, audience reach and technology. “Laurie’s track record speaks for itself,” said Mr. Warrack. “She has a history of transforming businesses by hiring exceptional talent and placing a strong emphasis on company culture. I’m thrilled to have her as my partner for our growing JM Search team and know that our clients will directly benefit from her candor, commitment, and proven results within an ever-changing industry.”
Supporting PE Growth & Valuation During Market Volatility
At the start of 2022, boards advised CEOs to take an aggressive approach to growth in all forms: top line revenue, margin expansion, and market share. As the year has unfolded, variables ranging from the war in eastern Europe, divisive mid-term elections in the U.S., inflation, and rising interest rates have created a drag on profitability. Now, the prevailing message is that CEOs must prepare for a potential recessionary slowdown, preserve cash, pull back on anticipated investments, and reduce growth expectations.
As growth, valuation expectations, and exit timing are reset, the conversations business leaders are having with their boards are shifting from balancing growth goals and market share expansion to capital efficiency and maintaining robust EBITDA margins, says JM Search in a new report authored by Chuck Egoville, a partner and a founding member and co-leader of the firm’s technology practice.
JM Search also recently added Derrick Stewart as a principal in the firm’s technology practice. He will work alongside partner and professional services practice leader, Ben Millrood, to further expand the firm’s team dedicated to identifying and recruiting critical leadership for professional services businesses within the technology sector. Mr. Stewart brings nearly 20 years of recruiting experience placing leaders across both technology professional services and IT/technology verticals. Prior to JM Search, he served as director of executive recruitment for Daugherty Business Solutions, a private technology professional services consultancy.
“Like many of our professional service clients expect, we approach professional service searches like a consulting engagement, starting with understanding our clients’ needs and then converting those into the key functional and technical requirements that comprise the ideal candidate, said Mr. Millrood. “Derrick understands our robust and sophisticated process and brings a deep understanding of the unique needs of the professional services landscape to our clients. We are thrilled to have him as part of the growing JM Search team.”
Related: Technology, Quality, and Quantity in Private Equity Recruiting
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor; Lily Fauver, Senior Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
