Morgan Samuels Appoints Practice Leader, Cybersecurity
August 2, 2023 – Morgan Samuels has expanded with the addition of Jesse Annunziata as a new senior client partner and practice leader, cybersecurity. “We are thrilled to have Jesse Annunziata join our team as a senior client partner,” said Bert Hensley, CEO of the Los Angeles-based executive search firm. With his deep expertise in information and cybersecurity, he will play a crucial role in placing exceptional and diverse talent in extraordinary roles.”
With over 14 years of experience in recruiting top talent in information and cybersecurity, Mr. Annunziata brings expertise and a proven track record to the Morgan Samuels team. He has focused on the highly competitive cybersecurity market, assisting numerous companies in hiring senior professionals. His experience encompasses tech, pre-IPO, cryptocurrency, media, hedge funds, financial services, healthcare, retail, professional services, gaming, and Fortune 500 companies. Mr. Annunziata has placed leaders in executive positions such as chief information security officer and head of information security. He also serves as a career coach to cybersecurity professionals, offering insights on professional growth and market differentiation. “Jesse’s guidance has helped professionals navigate the complexities of the cybersecurity field and build fulfilling careers,” Morgan Samuels said.
Mr. Annunziata most recently served as a partner, cybersecurity at Artico Search. Prior to this, he played a role in numerous customer engagements as a senior executive recruiter at L.J. Kushner. “I am honored to be part of Morgan Samuels Co., a firm that has revolutionized the executive search industry,” said Mr. Annunziata. “Together, we will unlock the full potential of organizations by identifying and attracting top-tier executive talent.”
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“Morgan Samuels Co. warmly welcomes Jesse Annunziata to its esteemed team,” the search firm said. “With his extensive knowledge, proven expertise, and passion for cybersecurity talent acquisition, Jesse will undoubtedly contribute to the firm’s success in placing exceptional executives across various industries.”
Proven Search Firm
Established in 1969, Morgan Samuels maintains a 60-day median cycle time and a 42 percent diversity placement rate. The firm’s stated mission is “to place exceptional and diverse talent in extraordinary roles across all industries and functions.”
In late 2022, Morgan Samuels named Jarrod Gray as chief financial and operations officer. “We are delighted to have Jarrod on our team. His strong background in finance, human resources, and business development operations is in direct alignment with our growth strategy goals,” said Mr. Hensley. “He is a world-class leader, and we are excited to welcome him to Morgan Samuels.”
Mr. Gray has more than 15 years of experience serving as a senior financial executive in distribution and manufacturing environments. He joined Morgan Samuels from The Merchants Co., recently acquired by Performance Food Group, where he led the firm’s financial exit and transition efforts for HR, accounting, and IT functions. While at The Merchants Co., Mr. Gray helped scale the business from $230 million to $850 million in revenue over 15 years.
In his new role, Mr. Gray is responsible for finance, human resources, information technology, and overall business operations. “I am both honored and excited to be joining the Morgan Samuels team,” he said. “This is truly a first-class organization, and I am confident that my previous experience and skills will serve me well as I work with our team to achieve the aggressive goals we have set forth.”
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
