McDermott + Bull Interim Announces New Appointments
March 2, 2026 – Irvine-based McDermott + Bull Interim Leaders (MBIL) has appointed James Hickey as managing partner and president, Mark McConnell as managing partner, head of client services, and Tamra Solis as managing partner, talent. “This leadership team has been essential to building the foundation that supports where we are today,” said Rod McDermott, co-founder and CEO of McDermott + Bull. “James, Mark, and Tamra bring a strong commitment to our clients, talent, and internal teams, along with a deep alignment to our values. These promotions position us well for continued growth across our existing regions and into new markets, while preserving the culture and standards that define the firm. These promotions further strengthen leadership across the broader McDermott + Bull organization.”
With Mr. Hickey stepping into the role of managing partner and president of MBIL, the firm’s interim division joins a leadership team that includes Mr. McDermott, Brandon Biegenzahn, president of McDermott + Bull U.S., and Paul Gibbons, managing partner of McDermott + Bull Canada. Together, they provide unified direction as the firm continues to expand its reach and capabilities.
The announcement comes at a pivotal time for MBIL, as demand for interim leadership continues to rise across industries. “We’re seeing a fundamental shift in how organizations approach leadership transitions,” said Mr. Hickey. “As we enter new regions, we’re finding that companies everywhere need proven leaders who can step in and drive results immediately.”
In recent years, the firm has taken on an increasing number of complex interim placements, driven by organizations seeking proven leaders who can deliver impact during periods of change, transformation, and transition. Mr. McConnell noted that client needs have evolved considerably. “The complexity of what our clients are navigating has increased dramatically,” he said. “They’re not just looking for gap coverage; they need strategic operators who can lead through transformation, and we’re building the infrastructure to serve them across all our markets.”
“Across their respective roles, James, Mark, and Tamra have strengthened MBIL’s platform by enhancing client delivery, expanding the interim talent network, and sharpening the firm’s ability to respond to time-sensitive leadership needs,” the firm said.
“Building the right talent network is everything, especially as we grow geographically,” said Ms. Solis. “We’re constantly broadening our reach to ensure we have exceptional leaders ready to deploy across all regions when clients need them most.”
Veteran Consultants
Mr. Hickey works closely with private equity groups to help their portfolio companies when there are gaps in leadership or to provide additional support to the team during critical transactions. He holds over 20 years of experience within private equity, working with companies on M+A activities, IPO process, and SEC compliance. Prior to joining McDermott + Bull, Mr. Hickey served as a national managing partner at Tatum, concentrating on helping private equity firms improve operational performance and respective returns on investment of their portfolio companies.
Related: McDermott + Bull Expands in Toronto
Mr. McConnell partners closely with clients who require on-demand consulting resources to bridge leadership gaps and propel their businesses forward. His career spans over 25 years, during which time he has held impactful positions within notable executive search and management consulting firms. Before joining McDermott + Bull, Mr. McConnell served as a vice president of business development with a global consulting firm, where he expanded client portfolios and led teams across Southern California.
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Ms. Solis recruits C-level professionals for interim roles to support clients in addressing urgent business challenges. She has over 20 years of experience in finance and accounting recruiting, serving early-stage startups to Fortune 100 companies. Prior to joining McDermott + Bull Interim Leaders, Ms. Solis spent eight years as a talent management partner where she represented the Southern California market by identifying critical talent to help companies through new business initiatives.
McDermott + Bull provides mission-critical permanent executive placement and interim solutions for a range of domestic and global clients. The firm serves private and public companies, private equity firms and their operating companies across multiple industries, including technology, financial services, biotech and life sciences, and professional services.
Related: McDermott + Bull Expands in Texas
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
