Jobplex Launches Sports Practice Group
October 2, 2023 – Jobplex, the Chicago-based partner company of DHR Global, has launched its sports practice group. Building from the success of Glenn Sugiyama, managing partner, global sports practice at DHR, Jobplex will expand into the sports industry with support from Matt Toth, client engagement manager. Tony Hernandez, partner, based in Charlotte, and Craig Thompson, based in Denver, will be joining Mr. Toth in the sports practice group. “I’m excited for and fully support Jobplex’s expansion into the sports industry,” said Mr. Sugiyama. “I am also excited to work with Tony and Craig. Together, we will leverage our expertise, network, and resources to deliver exceptional results for our clients.”
“After many years of aspiring to build a Jobplex Sports Practice, I am thrilled that we have hired both Tony and Craig to lead and scale. Their knowledge and network will allow us to tap into a diverse and talented ecosystem of leaders in the sports industry,” said Justin Hirsch, CEO of Jobplex. “I am looking forward to the success Tony and Craig will bring to our clients and to all of the new partnerships to come.”
The new recruiters bring over 60 combined years of expertise and relationships that will help grow and develop the new practice group. Together with Mr. Toth, they will place leaders in athletic coaching and administration-level roles for various collegiate sports and departments.
Bringing over 25 years of experience, Mr. Hernandez has expertise in college athletics at the national and conference level. Throughout most of his career, he has served in executive positions at the University of Miami and Texas Tech University. In addition, in his role as a consultant he has provided strategic consulting services to strengthen collegiate athletic departments in a variety of areas. He has served on numerous NCAA and conference committees and cabinets and served as president of the National Association of Athletic Compliance.
”I am thrilled to work with Craig and Matt to build a successful sports practice group for Jobplex,” said Mr. Hernandez. “Craig and I are committed to identifying emerging leaders that will allow us to provide great resources for our clients. I am enthusiastic to be able to work within the sports industry that I have so much passion for, while helping our clients achieve their goals.”
Related: Jobplex Names Four New Partners
A 43-year veteran of athletic administration, with all but eight of those years sitting in a commissioner’s chair, Mr. Thompson brings knowledge and experience in the athletic sector. He served as commissioner of the Mountain West Conference for over 20 years, where he was responsible for nearly $600 million in television revenue and was an innovator in the postseason bowl structures. Mr. Thompson has been an integral part of the national landscape in intercollegiate athletics, holding many prestigious positions on NCAA and sport-specific national committees. He also served as commissioner of the Sun Belt Conference and American South Conference.
Jobplex Appoints Partners
Jobplex has named Jeff Mercer and John McDonald as its newest partners. Mr. Mercer becomes a partner in the industrial practice group. He is based out of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He brings 20 years of experience in operations, sales, business development, and managerial roles. Mr. Mercer focuses on building relationships with clients and sourcing top talent for their executive teams. With a deep understanding of the corporate services and operations within oil and gas, professional services, real estate, construction and non-profit, he has recruited leaders for roles including C-level, vice presidents, general managers, and directors.
“The college athletics model as we know it is changing, and the industry needs creative thinking and problem solvers,” said Mr. Thompson. “At Jobplex, our goal is to deliver talented, experienced, and successful leaders to address these new issues.”
Serving Clients Globally
Jobplex, founded in 1996, is a global talent acquisition solutions company that serves a diverse client base. The firm was created to meet the needs of the next generation recruiting market, complementing the senior-level retained executive search services provided by DHR International. In partnership, the two companies are designed to provide a total recruitment solution.
Since 1989, DHR Global has been a leading, privately held provider of executive search solutions with more than 50 wholly owned offices spanning the globe. The firm’s consultants specialize in all industries and functions, providing senior-level executive search, management assessment and succession planning services tailored to the qualities and specifications of its client base.
Related: Jobplex Appoints CEO and HR Practice Group Leader
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
