JM Search Names HR and Diversity Practice Leader
March 17, 2021 – JM Search, a senior-level talent provider serving private equity investors, portfolio companies and Fortune 1000s, has appointed Louis Montgomery as partner to lead its human resource and diversity officer practice. He is joined by current members Phil Menzel, Troy Vincent, Chris Grimmig and Anne Sidio. “The need for top HR and diversity leaders has never been greater,” said John Marshall, JM Search’s co-founder and CEO. “We are thrilled to have Louis join our firm. His prior experience working as and placing HR and diversity officers will continue to solidify our long-standing commitment to helping our clients.”
Mr. Montgomery brings more than 30 years of experience as a human resources practitioner and diversity officer with several major Fortune 100 firms including, IBM, Celanese Corporation, Frito Lay, Kraft Foods, Altria, AES and Serco North America. Previously, Mr. Montgomery served as practice leader, human resources and diversity officers professional search at Korn Ferry. Prior to that, he was senior managing director with Reffett Associates. Mr. Montgomery is an author and thought leader in human resources and diversity/inclusion. Some of his publications include A Year’s Worth of Inspiration, and several thought leadership articles. He has been quoted in numerous publications including the New York Times, the Washington Post, Human Resources Executive, Black Enterprise and American Banker. “I am thrilled to join the JM Search team and look forward to continuing to build the terrific reputation of JM Search and help to build the HR and diversity officers practice,” said Mr. Montgomery.
JM Search has formed a dedicated center of excellence to recruit transformational human resource and diversity, equity and inclusion leaders for private equity-backed, founder-led, public, non-profits, higher education and other organizations across the industry spectrum. The firm recruits talent in these areas: chief human resources officers, diversity, equity and inclusion, total rewards, talent management, talent acquisition, learning and organization development, labor relations and human resources business partners.
The search firm 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 Expansion
JM Search recently added Kevin Logterman as partner in the firm’s financial officer practice. He joins current financial officer practice partners Drew Pressman, Brian Dwyer and David Robinson. “We are thrilled to have Kevin join our firm,” said Mr. Marshall. “Kevin’s prior experience placing CFOs and working with private equity companies will continue to solidify our longstanding commitment to helping our clients remain at the forefront of ensuring their companies have excellent financial leadership in place.” Mr. Logterman has over 20 years of executive search experience, serving private equity and family-owned companies. His focus has been recruiting CEO and CFO executives for middle market industrial companies with specific industry experience in automotive, chemicals, distribution, plastics, capital equipment and industrial services. He joins the firm from Slayton Search Partners, where he co-led the firm’s industrial practice.
Last September, JM Search expanded its dedicated healthcare technology center of excellence with the hiring of industry veteran Mike Forgash. As a sponsor-backed CEO, investor, and board member in the healthcare, life sciences and technology sectors, Mr. Forgash has assessed and built management teams, raised capital from top-tier equity firms, and led companies through successful exits, said Mr. Marshall.
JM Search Names Consumer Practice Co-Leaders
JM Search named MaryJeanne Scott and Phil Menzel as co-leaders of its consumer practice. Additional practice members include Abbee Phillips and Mike Neff, partners; Liza Stokes, vice president; and, Pete Haessig, search consultant. The search executives are supported by a team of research and business development associates.
Mr. Forgash said this is an exciting time to join JM Search. “The market for investment opportunities and leadership needs created and amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic could not make for a more opportune time to combine our resources and focus on this growing segment,” he said.
JM Search also formed a dedicated cybersecurity practice to assist public and private equity-backed companies in identifying and recruiting high-performance leaders. Partners Kevin Kernan and Tom Figueroa co-lead the firm’s center of excellence for cybersecurity leadership.
“Since our founding 40 years ago, JM Search has established a significant track record of partnering with companies that require transformational leadership to help drive operational efficiency, revenue growth and increased enterprise value,” said Mr. Marshall. “By formalizing this practice as a cybersecurity leadership center of excellence, we’re solidifying our longstanding commitment to helping clients remain at the forefront of security best practices and innovation amidst rapidly changing threat vectors, continued disruption, and required changes brought on by a global pandemic and the lasting consequences.”
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
