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Daily Newswire
JDG Associates Seeking CFO for Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates has been retained by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) to lead in its search for a new CFO. Reporting to the PBGC director and overseeing a staff of approximately 100 with an operating budget of approximately $20 million, the CFO will be responsible for the effective and efficient planning,
Cento Acquires Assets of U.S.-Based Executive Search Firm SCW Consulting
U.K.-based executive recruiting firm Cento has acquired the assets of Broomfield, CO-based executive search firm SCW Consulting, bringing together two specialized firms in the global security recruitment sector. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The deal unites Cento CEO Brett Ennals and Tom Verzuh, combining experience across international security and technology recruitment markets. The
Executive Recruiters Pull Off Another Remarkable Year, Remain Bullish for 2023
Hunt Scanlon Media has released its annual rankings of leading executive recruiters. In the U.S. and globally, billions of dollars poured into the high-end recruiting sector in 2022, a result of continued pentup demand for senior-level leaders and their key reports.
Why Succession Planning Is Critical to Reducing Leadership Risk
Most organizations have something they refer to as a succession plan — a spreadsheet, a nine-box grid updated once a year and then put away, or an annual HR review. But very few can answer the question that truly matters: if a critical leader left tomorrow, would the organization be able to keep executing? That’s
GDPR – The Perfect Time to Refresh Your Database
As executive search firms grapple with the complexities of GDPR, many are concerned that the new regulation will mean deleting thousands of records built up over many years. Surely there must be an alternative?
Rokos Group Seeking Chief Medical Officer for Center for Elders’ Independence
Newport Beach, CA-based executive search firm Rokos Group has been selected by Center for Elders’ Independence (CEI) to lead in its search for a chief medical officer. Reporting to the president and CEO, the chief medical officer will serve as CEI’s senior physician executive and a full member of the executive leadership team. This is a strategic
ADK Consulting & Executive Search Assists the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority with CEO Search
ADK Consulting & Executive Search recently assisted in the recruitment of Cris Jensen as the new president and CEO of the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA). Rod Dinger led the assignment. “It is my honor to announce the board has chosen Cris Jensen to serve as the next president and CEO, and his contract negotiations are currently underway,” said Shaun Carey, chair of
How CEOs Can Overcome Setbacks and Emerge Stronger
Executive search firms are increasingly being called upon to assess more than a candidate’s track record of growth, transformation, and financial performance. As boards search for CEOs capable of leading through persistent uncertainty, resilience has become a critical component of the leadership profile. Search consultants are placing greater emphasis on how executives have responded to
Occam Global Recruits CFO for eGenesis
New York City-based executive search firm Occam Global has placed Glenn Vraniak as CFO of eGenesis, a biotechnology company developing human-compatible engineered organs for transplantation. “eGenesis is entering a pivotal stage in our evolution as we prepare to advance our programs through clinical development and lay the foundation for future commercialization,” said Mike Curtis, CEO of eGenesis.
Maven Partnership Names Partner and Consultants
Global talent advisory firm Maven Partnership has recently promoted Tom Chambers to partner, Seb Coughlin as consultant, and George Roberts to consultant. “We are delighted to announce the well-deserved promotions of several exceptional individuals here at Maven Partnership, Will Hannaford, chief executive officer. “We’re committed to the growth and development of our people, and it’s fantastic to
The Execution Era: How Transformation Is Reshaping Private Equity
Most PE value creation plans don’t fail on strategy. They fail between the plan and the doing. With longer holds and less forgiving exit windows, delivery discipline is carrying more of the return, according to a new report from Wilton & Bain’s Jack Syred and James Royall. The report reflects patterns Wilton & Bain has
JDG Associates Retained by the Institute for Defense Analyses to Lead VP of Corporate Operations Search
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates has been tapped by the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) to lead its search for their vice president of corporate operations, based in Alexandria, VA. IDA seeks a seasoned operational and business transformation leader to modernize systems, processes, and service delivery across the organization. Serving as a corporate officer and
Modern Executive Solutions adds Partner to Lead Growth of M1 Talent Community
Atlanta-based talent consultancy Modern Executive Solutions has appointed Bria Bass as as partner, where she will lead the continued growth and expansion of the M1 Talent Community across North America and Europe. “Bria brings a rare combination of executive advisory, deep community-building experience, and an exceptional ability to connect leaders in meaningful ways,” said Mark Oppenheimer, CEO
AI Is Rewriting the Executive Hiring Playbook
Insight Partners’ latest research suggests the AI era is creating a new executive hiring playbook. Based on more than 400 executive searches and interviews with over 1,400 leadership candidates, the firm’s talent team argues that many of the characteristics defining today’s strongest product and engineering leaders would have been viewed as weaknesses only a few years
FMG Leading Acquires Market Intelligence And Strategic Advisory Firm BroadBranch Advisors
Human capital advisory firm FMG Leading has acquired market intelligence and strategic advisory firm BroadBranch Advisors. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “In today’s high-pressure landscape, translating forward-looking intelligence into action faster and more effectively is critical for our clients, especially in the investor-backed healthcare space,” said Matt Brubaker, chairman and CEO of FMG Leading. “By
PARC Street Group Places Chief Operating Officer for Mission Valley Bank
PARC Street Group has assisted in the recruitment Amanda Connell as chief operating officer at Mission Valley Bank. This search was completed by PARC Street Group senior executive search consultant Michelle Davis, executive recruiter Tabassum Nagpurwala, and executive search associate Priscilla Chacon. Ms. Connell brings more than 15 years of progressive leadership experience across community
Hunt Scanlon and HSiQ Build a New Performance Model for Executive Recruiters
As the executive search industry faces growing pressure to deliver stronger and more consistent results, firms are reassessing how recruiters are trained, developed, and prepared to meet changing client demands. A few months ago, Hunt Scanlon and its HSiQ Talent Intelligence advisory unit introduced the Recruiter Performance Training Program, a practical, execution-focused system designed to
U.S. Payrolls Fall by 23,000 in July as Unemployment Rate Dips to 4.1 Percent
Employment fell by 23,000 in July as the U.S. unemployment rate stood at 4.1 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The number of unemployed people, at 6.9 million, changed little in July. Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rates for teenagers (12.1 percent) and people who are Hispanic (4.6 percent) declined
Parker Remick Expands with New Partner
Seattle, WA-based Parker Remick has appointed Adam Szepkouski as partner of consulting excellence. The firm explained that this hire reflects a broader push to refine execution and scale delivery as demand for senior technology leaders accelerates. The appointment comes at a time of structural change in technology leadership. AI is reshaping how technology organizations are built and
The Data Migration Paralysis Problem: Why Firms Stay on Old Platforms Too Long
Technology has become a defining competitive advantage for executive search firms, yet many organizations continue to rely on aging platforms that no longer innovate. While artificial intelligence, automation, and data-driven workflows are reshaping the industry, the hesitation to replace legacy systems often leaves firms struggling with inefficiencies that quietly accumulate over time. The greatest obstacle
Recruiterflow Offers Four-Step Playbook for Building an AI-Native Search Firm
Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how executive search firms identify talent, manage information, engage candidates, and serve clients. But adopting an AI-powered platform alone does not make a recruiting organization AI-native. The larger challenge is integrating technology across the search lifecycle in ways that improve decision-making, strengthen execution, and allow consultants to devote more attention
Kirk Palmer Associates Recruits Chief Merchandising Officer for Belk
Retail-focused executive search firm Kirk Palmer Associates has helped to recruit Molly Taylor as chief merchandising officer at retailer Belk, where she will lead merchandising strategy and vision across all product categories. Melissa Sussberg and Alexa Liebman led the assignment. Ms. Taylor is a merchandising executive with over 30 years of experience connecting topline vision to bottom-line performance
The Forces Reshaping Executive Search
As organizations face accelerating business transformation, leadership succession, and rapid advances in artificial intelligence, the demands placed on executive search firms continue to evolve. Clients are looking for more than candidate identification—they increasingly expect strategic guidance, deeper market intelligence, and advisors capable of helping them navigate an increasingly complex leadership landscape. Those themes emerged consistently
Bryant Group Fills Senior Position for the University of Washington
Dallas-based executive search and talent development firm Bryant Group has assisted in the recruitment of Justin Michalka as vice president for university development at the University of Washington (UW). The search was led by firm president Chris Bingley. “I’m delighted to welcome Justin to the University of Washington,” said Mary Gresch, senior vice president for university advancement. “He is a
SPMB Expands Financial Officer and Private Equity Practices
SPMB Executive Search has appointed Christy Mihos as a partner in the firm’s financial officer and private equity practices. “Christy is one of the most accomplished CFO search practitioners in the market, and we are thrilled to welcome him to SPMB,” said Dave Mullarkey, managing partner at SPMB. “His track record of advising PE firms and technology companies on
Executive Talent Market Faces New Pressures as AI and Private Equity Reshape Leadership Demand
The executive talent market continues to tighten as private investment accelerates, experienced leaders retire, and organizations compete for executives capable of driving growth and transformation. At the same time, artificial intelligence is changing the capabilities companies expect from senior leaders, while consulting and private equity firms rethink how they build leadership teams and evaluate potential.
Carpenter Legal Search Recruits General Counsel for Park Corporation
Legal recruiting remains an active area for executive search firms as corporations, law firms, government agencies, and other organizations compete for experienced legal talent. Employment of lawyers is projected to grow four percent from 2024 to 2034, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, with approximately 31,500 openings expected each year as employers add
Signium Opens New Office in Hamburg, Germany
Executive search consortium Signium has opened a new office in Hamburg, Germany. The new office is led by Moritz Drerup, managing partner, who joined Signium with more than a decade of executive search experience and a highly focused practice in technology and AI leadership. The Hamburg office represents a natural evolution for Mr. Drerup’s established executive search practice, combining his specialist expertise with the reach,
Executive Search Strategies for Leadership Success
As organizations navigate rapid change, leadership decisions have become increasingly consequential, placing greater pressure on executive search firms to identify candidates who can deliver both immediate impact and long-term value. Success at the highest levels depends on far more than filling a vacancy—it requires a disciplined search strategy that combines market intelligence, rigorous assessment, and
Leverage AI in Your Job Search: When to Use It and When Not To
Artificial intelligence has been changing the way people search for jobs. From optimizing resumes to preparing for interviews, AI has become a valuable resource for candidates looking to streamline the process. The key is knowing how to use it effectively, according to a recent report from New York City headquartered executive search firm Solomon Page. “AI
Executive Hiring Tightens Now, Sets Stage for Selective Rebound in 2026
After a period of aggressive talent expansion fueled by post-pandemic recovery and capital liquidity, executive hiring is entering a new phase — one defined less by growth at any cost and more by targeted investment. Boards and CEOs are recalibrating leadership priorities, emphasizing profitability, transformation, and resilience over pure headcount expansion. The mindset has shifted
Odgers Berndtson Names Head of U.S. Professional Services and Human Capital Practices
Odgers Berndtson has appointed Sayed Sadjady as partner and head of its U.S. professional services and human capital practices. “We are delighted to welcome Sayed to the firm,” said Steve Potter, CEO of U.S. Odgers Berndtson. “A seasoned leader and consultant in the professional services sector, Sayed brings a unique set of skills and industry experience focused
Hobbs & Towne Expands PE and Venture Capital Advisory Team
Executive search firm Hobbs & Towne Inc. (HTI) has expanded with the addition of Jennifer Ratner as vice president. According to firm partner Danielle Munley, the addition of Ms. Ratner to the team will further augment the firm’s delivery to its clients. “Jennifer’s experience, partnering with world’s top venture capitalists and private equity firms, in her previous executive search
Renovata & Company Places Chief Technology Officer at Blue Foundry Bank
Global executive search and private equity advisory firm Renovata & Company has recruited Mugur Tolea as chief technology officer for Blue Foundry Bank, which specializes in “craft banking” for consumers and small businesses. “Mugur brings more than 30 years of industry, technical and leadership experience to his new role, and he knows how to operate at the
Coulter Partners Places New CEO of ObsEva
Life sciences search specialist Coulter Partners has placed Brian O’Callaghan as chief executive officer of ObsEva, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing and commercializing novel therapies for women’s reproductive health. Client partner Nona Footz led the assignment. Mr. O’Callaghan succeeds Ernest Loumaye, who co-founded the firm in 2012. As ObsEva evolves from a development company toward
Why Interim HR Leaders Are in Growing Demand
Interim HR leaders are proven professionals who bring short-term, functional discipline to companies in need. According to a new report by Lucy Bielby, a director within the commerce and industry team at Frazer Jones, interim human resource executives often bring niche skillsets, expertise and leadership capabilities required to drive change. “From our experience, we know
Furst Group Assists Priority Health in President Search
Healthcare is among the most rapidly growing employment fields, according to analysts at Hunt Scanlon Media, which tracks trends in the executive search and leadership solutions space. Following a national search, Furst Group, which serves the healthcare and insurance industries, recently assisted Priority Health in Grand Rapids, MI, in the recruitment of Praveen Thadani as its new president. The announcement
The Lancer Group Recruits Marketing and Sales Officers for FMG Suite
La Jolla, CA-headquartered search firm The Lancer Group has placed Patti Newcomer as chief marketing officer and Rob Patrick as chief sales officer of FMG Suite, a SaaS company specializing in marketing software and services for financial advisors and insurance agents that is backed by Aurora Capital. FMG Suite brought in these seasoned SMB and enterprise software
WittKieffer Names Academic Medicine and Health Sciences Practice Co-Leader
WittKieffer has appointed Deborah Wing as a new principal and co-leader of the firm’s academic medicine and health sciences practice. “Dr. Wing is an absolutely terrific addition to WittKieffer and our team in academic medicine. Her reputation as a clinician and leader in the field of women’s health and reproduction is stellar,” said Kimberly A. Smith, managing
Friisberg & Partners Adds New Member Firm in Nordic Region
Even in the face of a global pandemic, executive search consultants are seeing an increase in hiring mandates from around the world. To meet demand, they continue to develop new practices, hire new recruiters, and open new locations. Global recruiting consortiums, meanwhile, are taking advantage of a resurgence in certain geographic areas. Recently, Friisberg & Partners
Holy Cross College Selects Isaacson, Miller to Find President and CHRO
The College of the Holy Cross, the Jesuit and liberal arts undergraduate institution in Worcester, MA, has retained Isaacson, Miller to lead two top-level searches: one is for a new president and the other is for a chief human resources officer (CHRO). Vivian Brocard, president of Isaacson, Miller, is leading the president search along with
Spencer Stuart Recruits CFO for Blue Apron
The pressure on chief financial officers during the pandemic has been significant. That has made finding the best ones big business for executive recruiters. Just recently, Spencer Stuart placed Randy J. Greben as the new treasurer and CFO of meal-kit delivery services company Blue Apron Holdings. The previous CFO, Timothy S. Bensley, recently resigned to pursue
PFM Executive Search Recruits CEO for the Comox Valley Airport Commission
PFM Executive Search has placed Michael Atkins as the new chief executive officer of the Comox Valley Airport Commission (CVAC) in British Columbia. Partner Shaun Carpenter and consultant Matthew Bell led the assignment. Mr. Atkins takes over from Alex Robertson, who served as CVAC’s acting CEO since the late Fred Bigelow’s departure for medical leave in 2019.
ZRG Expands Life Sciences Practice
ZRG has expanded with the addition of Lee Golodny as managing director. Mr. Golodny has seven years of executive search experience dedicated exclusively to life sciences, having placed more than 100 executives within the industry. He will work in the firm’s New York City office. “Through a string of successful assignments, Lee has made a name for himself
Royer Thompson Expands Staff
Talent management firm Royer Thompson has grown with the addition of Greg Dickie as vice president. He will support a growing roster of clients across private and public companies and public sector organizations. “Greg’s experience complements those of the firm’s team of experts in human resources advisory, executive recruitment, organizational effectiveness, career transition and executive coaching,”
Unemployment Rate Remains at 6.7 Percent as Recovery Looms
Employment rose by 140,000 in December as the U.S. unemployment rate was unchanged at 6.7 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report released this morning. That’s down from a peak of 14.7 percent in April, but still far above the 3.5 percent rate in February before the coronavirus pandemic led to mass
Mastering the Job Application Process in 2021
The job application process is seldom easy – whether you are applying for an entry level job, a mid-management assignment or a highly coveted C-suite position. After all, it can sometimes take weeks (if not months) to secure an initial interview. That’s already after spending days tweaking your resume and determining which roles you feel
Academic Search Seeks President for Council of Independent Colleges
Education-focused executive recruiter Academic Search has been selected to find the next president for the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) in Washington, D.C. Leading the assignment are senior consultant Ann Die Hasselmo, president and senior consultant Jay Lemons and consultant Jennifer Kooken. Richard Ekman, who led the organization for 20 years, announced last fall that he would
Collegiate Sports Associates Assists Boise State University with Athletic Director Search
Collegiate Sports Associates has assisted Boise State University in the recruitment of Jeramiah Dickey as its new athletic director. Curt Apsey recently stepped down from the role he has held since 2015 to transition to a job in university-level fundraising. “Throughout this process, I have spoken with many of Bronco Athletics’ most important past leaders and supporters for
Amrop Opens New Office in Luxembourg
Global recruiting organization Amrop has opened a new office in Luxembourg. Gabriela Nguyen-Groza joins Amrop as managing partner to lead the new location. “Opening a new office in Luxembourg fits our firm’s global development and responds to a growing demand from our clients. Luxembourg is a strategic hub,” said Annika Farin, chair of the global Amrop Partnership.
Madison MacArthur Merges with The ExeQFind Group & The Qualifind Group
The ExeQfind Group, based in Atlanta and San Diego-based The Qualifind Group have merged Toronto-based executive search firm Madison MacArthur Incorporated into its search and recruitment platform. The dual practices, according to Sylvia MacArthur, president of Madison MacArthur, are now better positioned to provide expanded sector expertise, consultant depth, cultural fluency, and geographic reach while
Americans Continue to File for Unemployment at Record Levels
The Labor Department reported this morning that 787,000 more Americans filed new claims for state unemployment benefits last week. This was less than the Dow Jones estimate of 815,000 and a slight decrease from the upwardly revised total of 790,000 for the previous week. The Labor Department is expected to report tomorrow that the U.S.
Vetted Solutions Finds New Leader for American Peanut Council
Washington, D.C.- based executive recruitment firm Vetted Solutions has placed Richard Owen, the legislative and regulatory affairs team lead of the Produce Marketing Association, as the new president and chief executive officer of the American Peanut Council (APC). Mr. Owen begins his new role on Feb. 1. Patrick Archer, APC’s long-serving president, announced his retirement in mid-2020.
SearchWide Global Assists the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau in CEO Search
Executive recruitment firm SearchWide Global has assisted in the placement of Claude Molinari as the new president and CEO of the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau (DMCVB). He is replacing Larry Alexander, who announced in June that he would be retiring after 22 years as head of the organization. Senior vice president Kellie Henderson led the assignment. “Claude is uniquely
Five Ways to Maximize Recruitment Success
Hiring for senior roles, while exciting, can also be a time of anxiety, stress, or transition for many companies. Because of this, pinpointing the type of executive that will be the right fit for the role can be a challenge, especially if the company is looking for a change in leadership style or direction, according
Teneo Acquires Ridgeway Partners
Global CEO advisory firm Teneo has acquired U.K.-based Ridgeway Partners, an advisory firm specializing in executive search, board appointments and succession planning for a wide range of companies. The acquisition follows a string of mergers that have taken place since the global pandemic began nearly one year ago. “We are truly delighted to be welcoming
Academic Career & Executive Search Recruits Chief Internal Auditor at Dallas College
West Hartford, Conn.-based Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has placed Lori Cox, the former tribal administrator for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe in Tucson, AZ, as the new chief internal auditor for Dallas College in Texas. Managing partner Jennifer Muller led the assignment for the search firm. “Dallas College sought a sophisticated senior financial executive
EFL Associates Tapped by Ottawa University to Find New Leader
Executive search firm EFL Associates has been selected to find the next president and CEO for Ottawa University (OU), a private Baptist university based in Ottawa, KS. Steve Waldron, the recruitment firm’s managing director—legal practice and higher education practice, is leading the assignment. “We have been most fortunate to benefit from Kevin Eichner’s leadership over these past
Signium Expands in Munich
Even in the face of a global pandemic, executive search consultants are seeing an increase in hiring mandates from around the world. To meet demand, they continue to develop new practices, hire new recruiters, and open new locations. Global recruiting consortiums, meanwhile, are taking advantage of a resurgence in certain geographic areas. Recently, executive search consortium Signium strengthened
Top Executive Habits to Help Get Ahead
Ask any leader about their experience in management and they’ll likely tell you it’s tough at the top, according to a new report by Carmichael Fisher. “Whether it’s mid-management or senior executive-level, being responsible for the success of a team isn’t easy by any stretch of the imagination,” said CEO Justin Hobday, the report’s author.
NorthWind Partners Recruits Chief Growth Officer for Akima
Reston, VA-headquartered executive search firm NorthWind Partners has assisted in the placement of Jean-Francois Blanc as chief growth officer of Akima. He will be charged with leading the company’s corporate development efforts, growing revenue, and expanding market share. Partner Hunter Murray led the assignment. “Jean-Francois is a hands-on leader with experience winning large contracts in both the Department
Noetic Search Assists After School Matters in Finding New CFO
Noetic Search has assisted After School Matters (ASM) in the recruitment of Michael Bradley as its new CFO. Noetic Search was seeking a proven financial and operational strategist who has a successful track record of fiscal integrity and strong management skills. Mr. Bradley checked all the boxes. Previously, he was chief financial officer of ACERO







