DAILY NEWSWIRE - TOP STORIES
Daily Newswire
KPMG Finds Success in M&A Remains Stacked Against Acquirers. Here’s Why.
New research from KPMG found that 57.2 percent of acquirers ultimately destroyed shareholder value, despite many appearing promising before closing. “Although many deals looked promising in the months leading up to closing – generating an average 13.2 percent in total shareholder return above the relevant S&P sector index – TSR dropped an average of 7.4 percent in the
Experience vs Resilience: The Age of Disruption is Changing How Firms Approach Leadership
Executive hiring used to follow a simple rule: find someone who’s already delivered the next stage of growth. That worked when markets moved in straight lines. Now they don’t—and leaders are judged less by replaying old playbooks and more by how quickly they adapt when conditions change. The way firms have hired executive leadership has
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.
Coulter Partners Recruits Chief Scientific Officer for Laigo Bio
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has recruited Richard C.A. Sainson as the new chief scientific officer of Laigo Bio. “It was a privilege to partner with Matthew and the Laigo board,” said Kay Wardle, managing partner at Coulter Partners. “Targeted protein degradation is one of the most exciting frontier areas of drug discovery, and finding a chief
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?
Blue Rock Human Capital Recruits Chief People Officer for Michelli Weighing & Measurement
Talent acquisition strategies at many large companies have become as complex as their balance sheets. And while chief human resource officers play a vital role in overseeing an organization’s broad-based workforce, the chief people officer typically goes beyond overseeing its people policies. The focus instead is on building talent as a key competitive advantage, with more
Raising the Bar for Interim and Fractional Leadership
As companies face mounting pressure to move faster and adapt to constant change, interim and fractional executives are increasingly being brought in not simply to maintain stability, but to drive transformation from day one. Organizations today are seeking experienced leaders who can step into critical roles, solve immediate business challenges, and create momentum while long-term
BoardWalk Consulting Selected by Atlanta Ballet for Executive Director Search
BoardWalk Consulting has was recently tapped by Atlanta Ballet to lead in its search for an executive director. The search is being led by Sam Pettway, Demeika Wheaton, and Patti Kish. The executive director will lead Atlanta Ballet’s administrative and business functions in alignment with the organization’s mission and values, while partnering closely with the artistic
When Search Fatigue Leads to Costly Hiring Mistakes
In executive search, the biggest hiring mistakes are not always caused by weak candidate pools or poor sourcing strategies. More often, breakdowns occur near the finish line, when prolonged interview cycles, competing stakeholder opinions, and mounting business pressures begin to wear down decision-making discipline. What starts as a rigorous evaluation process can gradually shift toward
Preng & Associates Recruits SVP of Government Services for American Bureau of Shipping
Houston-based Preng & Associates has placed Rear Admiral Ronald J. Rábago as senior vice president of government services at American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). “Admiral Rábago brings exceptional government and industry experience that will further enhance the support we provide to our government clients in the U.S. and around the world,” said John McDonald, ABS chairman and CEO. “His
McDermott + Bull Expands in Amsterdam
Irvine, CA-based McDermott + Bull has expanded in Amsterdam with the addition of Gerben van den Hout as managing director. “This strategic hire comes as McDermott + Bull continues to expand its executive search presence across Europe, further strengthening the firm’s ability to support organizations in identifying and placing high-impact leadership talent,” the firm said. “Gerben’s appointment represents an
The CHRO’s Leadership Imperative in the AI Era
As organizations accelerate their adoption of artificial intelligence, business leaders are increasingly recognizing that successful transformation depends as much on people and leadership as it does on technology itself. HR executives, in particular, are finding themselves at the center of conversations around workforce readiness, employee trust, skills development, and organizational change management. Industry observers note
Cluen Invites Executive Search Firms to Participate in Upcoming 2026 Technology Trends Survey
For more than three decades, Cluen has partnered with leading executive search firms around the world to understand how top-performing recruiters use technology to gain a competitive advantage. Each year, the company’s Top Trends in Executive Search Technology survey uncovers the strategies, priorities, and innovations shaping the future of the profession. How are executive search firms balancing the rapid adoption of AI
Lindauer Retained by C-SPAN for Chief Development Officer Search
Virtually every industry needs top-drawer chief development officers. CDOs play a key role in planning, coordinating, and administering capital campaigns, corporate giving, and galvanizing new donors while keeping previous funders content. Implementing funding strategies that “keep the lights on,” according to recruiters specializing in the function, is job No. 1. Lindauer has been retained by C-SPAN to
NPAG Seeking Executive Director for the California Youth Defender Center
Executive search firm NPAG has been selected by the California Youth Defender Center (CYDC) to lead in its search for a new executive director. This search is being led by Ellen LaPointe and Phuong Quach. This is a unique opportunity to lead a respected and influential organization at a pivotal moment, shaping the future of youth justice
Lochlin Partners Helps Fill Senior Position for Business Roundtable
Lochlin Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Stefani Jones as senior director of policy at Business Roundtable (BRT). Ms. Jones is an accomplished technology policy leader with deep expertise at the intersection of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and national security. Her experience spans the White House, the private sector, and senior federal policy roles. She
Why Executives Should Think Carefully Before Accepting Counteroffers
Few moments in an executive’s career carry as much complexity as the decision to resign from a leadership role and pursue a new opportunity. What often begins as a strategic career move can quickly become emotionally charged once a current employer responds with incentives aimed at reversing that decision. Recruiters and leadership advisors note that
Funk Associates Tapped by the University of North Florida to Lead Search for Eighth President
Funk Associates was recently retained by the University of North Florida (UNF) to lead a national search for its eighth president. Past president Moez Limayem stepped down from his position in early 2026. The presidential search committee, chaired by UNF board of trustees member Jack Boyle, plays a critical role in this process, focusing on
Acertitude Recruits CEO for PE-Backed Zep Inc.
Acertitude has placed Tim Feast as the new CEO of Zep Inc., a Truelink Capital portfolio company. The search was led by partner, Geoff Votta and principal, Rod Vaughan with support from Matthew Marasco and Maryanne Santospirito. Mr. Feast steps into the role with a mandate to accelerate growth, sharpen execution, and lead Zep into its
SearchWide Global Seeking CEO for Visit California
SearchWide Global is currently seeking a new CEO for Visit California. The assignment is being led by Mike Gamble, chairman, CEO, and co-founder of SearchWide. Visit California is seeking a collaborative, visionary, and politically astute leader to serve as the next CEO. As the organization’s chief strategist, brand steward, and operational head, the CEO works
Intersearch Worldwide Elects Chairwoman and New Board Members
InterSearch Worldwide, a global alliance of executive search companies, has announce the newly elected board following and the appointment of Vanessa Delacourt as chairwoman, marking an exciting new chapter and reinforcing the organization’s commitment to innovation and sustainable growth. The board has welcomed: Leslie Cooper A. (Chile); Vanessa Delacourt (Benelux); Frank Schelstraete (Belgium); Henri Vidalinc
The Platform Shift Reshaping Human Capital M&A
Hunt Scanlon Ventures’ 2026 Human Capital Markets Update: Q1 M&A Report points to a market undergoing rapid institutionalization. Human capital M&A is no longer centered around standalone recruiting firms or opportunistic acquisitions. Instead, buyers are consolidating around integrated platforms that combine executive search, leadership advisory, workforce analytics, succession planning, and AI-enabled infrastructure. The shift reflects a broader
WittKieffer Recruits 22nd President for the University of Tulsa
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has placed Stacy Leeds as the 22nd president of the University of Tulsa (UTulsa). Zachary Smith, Robin Mamlet, and Julia Bradley led the assignment. Ms. Leeds was selected following a competitive and comprehensive national search. Members of the search committee and full board were drawn to her unique portfolio of executive management, philanthropic success and unimpeachable academic credibility. “Stacy
SPMB Recruits CFO for AbsenceSoft
SPMB Executive Search has recruited Megan Wood as CFO of AbsenceSoft, a Denver, CO-based employee leave management and accommodations platform. Jon Landau and Laura Ayre led the assignment. “The market opportunity in front of AbsenceSoft is significant, and Megan brings the right financial and operational depth to meet it,” said Chris Murphy, CEO of AbsenceSoft. “Her proven track record at fast-growth, innovative companies on
AGB Search Helps Recruit 20th President for the University of Montana
Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has assisted in the recruitment of Jeremiah Shinn as the 20th president of the University of Montana. His selection follows a national search that drew more than 70 accomplished applicants from across the country. Roderick McDavis, James H. McCormick and Janice S. Fitzgerald led the assignment. “Dr. Shinn’s on-campus visit
TurnkeyZRG Appoints Vice President
TurnkeyZRG has expanded with the addition of Sean Magee as vice president. “College and professional football are being reshaped in real time — by revenue sharing, NIL, the transfer portal, and unprecedented financial and operational complexity,” said Chad Chatlos, managing partner, ZRG Turnkey. “Sean lived inside that disruption as a senior operator. He understands what it
Rethinking the Factors Behind Employee Loyalty and Retention
Two widely repeated assumptions continue to shape discussions around today’s workforce, despite oversimplifying a far more nuanced reality. Claims that employee loyalty has disappeared, or that departures are driven almost entirely by poor management, often overlook the broader mix of organizational, economic, leadership, and career factors influencing retention. While such narratives persist because they are
Anthem Executive Assists the University of West Alabama with Provost Search
Anthem Executive has assisted in the recruitment of Amy H. Jones as provost of the University of West Alabama, the role that oversees all aspects of academics at the institution. “Dr. Jones has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a deep commitment to the mission of UWA,” said Todd G. Fritch, president of the University of West Alabama.
ON Partners Recruits Chief Supply Chain Officer for Atmus Filtration Technologies
ON Partners has helped to recruited Kevin Carpenter as senior vice president and chief supply chain officer of NYSE-traded Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc. in Nashville, TN. Partner Heidi Hoffman led the assignment. “Kevin is a proven operations leader with a strong track record of building resilient, customer focused supply chains at scale,” said Steph Disher, president and
ZRG Partners Acquires Sterling Martin Associates
ZRG Partners has acquired Sterling Martin Associates, a Washington, D.C.–based executive search firm specializing in professional associations, trade organizations, and mission‑driven non-profit organizations. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Larry Hartmann, CEO of ZRG, said the acquisition reflects ZRG’s disciplined approach to growth. “This is not about scale for scale’s sake,” he explained.
Advancing Progress Toward Gender Equality
Six years ago, Jessica Pezim of The Bedford Group began reflecting on International Women’s Day by writing letters to her children about the progress women have made in the workforce since her mother’s generation – and her hopes for the future when they enter the workforce. “While I believe gender equality is achievable, the past few
Egon Zehnder Elects Chairwoman in a First for Recruiting Sector
Executive recruitment firm Egon Zehnder has elected Jill Ader as its new chair. She will take over on Nov. 1 upon the retirement of Damien O’Brien who has chaired the firm since 2010. Ms. Ader becomes the first female chair within the global top five executive search and leadership advisory firms. “Jill is exceptionally well suited to
Tyler & Company Seeking New President for Georgia Urology
Atlanta-based executive recruitment firm Tyler & Company has been retained by Georgia Urology to lead its search for a new president. Vice president Chris Ekrem is leading the assignment along with Hallie Banker. This is a newly created position, reporting to the CEO, in tandem with the managing director. Having experienced exponential growth over the last 40-plus years
Partners International Places Director of Learning at Consumer Reports
Peter Movesian, SVP of executive search at New York City-based Partners International, has placed former Viacom executive Gwyneth Meeks as director of learning and development at Consumer Reports. “Gwynn has had a great background in assisting organizations that are transforming,” said Mr. Movesian. “She is a great collaborator and partners and will fit into the
Booming Private Equity Sector Feeds TritonExec’s Expansion to the U.S.
Aside from the big-branded executive recruiters, all of whom devote significant time and manpower to talent acquisition initiatives throughout the PE space, a number boutique search firms are working alongside these investment brands to provide talent up and down the functional scale. And much of the activity is taking place on American shores. Following that demand,
Expertise, Deep Perspective Serve Clients Beyond Simply Filling Jobs
The most effective executive search firms do much more than simply go out and find talent. Their consultants bring deep passion, curiosity and interest to their work. What’s more, they are constantly learning about their sector, its people and the nuances of the varied roles. In a nutshell, that’s the kind of firm that Matt
Acertitude Places CFOs for DexKo Global
Executive search firm Acertitude has recruited Jeff Richard as DexKo Global’s new chief financial officer and Derek Peabody as CFO of the company’s subsidiary, Dexter. The two finance leaders are critical hires for DexKo, which seeks to grow aggressively both organically and through acquisitions. Kevin O’Neill, founder and managing partner of Acertitude, led both searches, partnering closely
Strategic Government Resources Seeks Two New Police Chiefs in Pennsylvania
In separate assignments, Keller, TX-based executive search firm Strategic Government Resources (SGR) has been chosen to find new police chiefs for two municipalities in Pennsylvania, Newtown Township and Edinboro. Newtown Township, in Bucks County, has a population of about 20,000. The community is looking for a chief of police with exceptional leadership and management skills
Ridgeway Partners Continues Expansion
London-headquartered executive search firm Ridgeway Partners has expanded with the addition of Katie Thomas as a partner. “We are delighted to welcome Katie to the Ridgeway team,” said Sue O’Brien, managing partner at Ridgeway Partners. “Every industry challenge needs effective leadership, so we see the retail and broader consumer service sectors as a growth opportunity under Katie’s direction. With her relationships merging with our
Attracting Top Talent in the Age of AI
Artificial intelligence is quickly emerging as a game-changer for recruiting – enabling organizations to more readily identify and hire candidates. It is enabling search firms to find and evaluate talent with greater accuracy and speed. New recruitment technology can sift through tremendous amounts of data to identify top prospects exponentially faster than any individual, or
Lochlin Partners Finds Chief Policy Officer for the American Bankers Association
Executive search firm Lochlin Partners has placed Naomi Camper as chief policy officer for the American Bankers Association (ABA) in Washington, D.C. She started her new position on Monday. Lochlin’s managing partners Patrick Friel and Liza Wright led the assignment. “I am thrilled that Naomi has agreed to join ABA at this important moment for the
NETcon Taps Sheffield Search to Find CEO
New Zealand-headquartered executive recruiting firm Sheffield Search has been selected by power transmission company NETcon to lead its search for a new chief executive officer. The assignment is being led by Nick Gee, manager of Sheffield’s South Island operation. “This role offers both challenge and great opportunity with the chance to shape an organization as
Human Capital Group Adds Healthcare Veteran
Nashville, TN-based the Human Capital Group has expanded with the addition of healthcare veteran Paul Cleckner as managing director. Mr. Cleckner brings more than 25 years of senior operating and leadership experience in healthcare and technology. Most recently, he served as chief operating officer of Saint Thomas Health and prior to that was VP of operations
Global Healthcare Services Creates New Recruitment Platform
Rocky River, OH-headquartered executive search firm Global Healthcare Services (GHS) recently detected a disturbing trend within the sector it serves: Hospitals were struggling with employee retention, from staff to leadership roles, with the C-suite’s annual turnover as high as 20 percent in recent years. GHS saw an opportunity to implement a recruitment platform called IRIS
3 Ways Assessments Can Go Wrong and How to Get Them Right
With the accelerated pace of change and constant potential for disruption, the costs of getting important leadership decisions wrong – whether for selecting senior leaders, leadership development or succession planning – have never been higher. Despite these risks, many organizations underestimate the importance of a robust assessment process, according to a new report issued by Spencer
Grace Blue Lands New Leader for VCU Brandcenter
Grace Blue has placed Vann Graves as the new executive director of the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Brandcenter. He takes over the role from Helayne Spivak, who left the school in May. “Along with my colleagues, I am delighted that Vann Graves is coming to VCU Brandcenter as its new executive director,” said Michael Rao,
Russell Reynolds Associates Places CEO at CropLife America
CropLife America (CLA), the leading association for the U.S. crop protection industry, has chosen former National Pork Board executive Chris Novak as its CEO. Russell Reynolds Associates assisted on the assignment. Mr. Novak will start his new role on Aug. 20. “I’m pleased to announce that Chris Novak has been selected by our board’s search committee
NPAworldwide Adds 10 New Member Firms Across the U.S.
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. Member-owned recruitment network NPAworldwide has added 10 new member locations across the
Indeed Acquires Resume.com
Job aggregator Indeed recently acquired Resume.com, an online service for creating personalized resumes. Financial terms of the deal were undisclosed. Over 3.5 million job seekers use Resume.com, creating more than 40,000 resumes every week, and accessing timely career resource information. Indeed will continue to operate resume.com and enable job seekers to build, download, and print personalized
The Digital Future of Recruiting: 5 Solutions to Improve Hiring and Retention
In today’s competitive recruiting market, search firms must be nimble and efficient. One way to get there: Invest in digital tools to hire and onboard best-in-class professionals. Many organizations still use manual or paper-based processes, which are slow, expensive, and error-prone, resulting in inefficient operations and compliance risks. A new report by DocuSign found that
SearchWide Finds New Leader for the Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau
After suffering a massive hit during the Great Recession, employment and hiring within the travel, hotel and hospitality industry continues to rebound. Last year, according to one set of survey metrics, the industry added 527,000 jobs (2.6 million since 2004). That number is likely to increase this year as global tourism and traveling in general are
Eastman & Beaudine Leading Athletic Director Search for University of South Florida
Executive search firm Eastman & Beaudine has been retained by the University of South Florida (USF) to lead its search for a new athletic director. Scott Kull, USF’s deputy athletic director for external operations, has been named interim AD while the school looks to replace Mark Harlan, who recently stepped down. “USF Athletics has gained tremendous momentum over the past
Heidrick & Struggles Launches Cross-Industry Innovation Network
Executive search, leadership consulting and culture shaping services provider Heidrick & Struggles has launched a new cross-industry corporate innovation network that it is calling the Game-Changer Collaborative (GCC). The GCC enables members to collaborate around emerging technologies, external innovation opportunities and approaches to accelerating innovation in their organizations, said the Chicago-based firm. The GCC includes several
Executive Search Veteran Stephanie Pinson Dies
Stephanie Pinson, president of executive search firm Gilbert Tweed International, has died. Ms. Pinson, born May 23, 1936, had been with the New York City-based recruitment provider since 1981 and was a member of its board of directors. She had in-depth experience as a search consultant to the highly complex insurance industry, where she specialized
How Predictive Analytics Promotes Better Decision Making and Efficiency
At most major corporations, it is critical for the head of HR to be an extremely strong strategic and trustworthy adviser to the CEO, the board of directors and senior management. That means not just filling leadership positions with the current needs of the organization, but being able to look to the future in terms
McDermott & Bull Leading Two Chief Officer Searches for Scooter’s Coffee
Scooter’s Coffee, one of the largest and fastest growing brands in the specialty coffee business, has retained Irvine, CA-based search firm McDermott & Bull to lead its search for a new chief commercial officer and chief development officer. The search is being conducted by what is known as the fit practice at the recruitment firm, which includes partner
Ratliff & Taylor Seeks Next President for Leadership Akron
Independence, OH-based executive search firm Ratliff & Taylor has been chosen to find the next president for Leadership Akron. The search is being led by senior consultant Patti Shumay and senior vice president and practice leader Linda J. Gray. The non-profit’s previous leader, Mark Scheffler, departed earlier this year to become executive director of the
MediaLink Names Leader of Executive Search Division
MediaLink, an Ascentia-owned advisory company, has appointed Trish Shortell as managing director, executive search, based in its New York office. In her role, she will lead the firm’s executive search practice and will report to Michael Kassan, MediaLink’s chairman and CEO. “Trish is widely sought-after in our industry for her thought leadership and counsel on
Amrop Appoints Leader of Costa Rica Operations
Amrop, a partnership of recruiting firms operating from 75 offices in 48 countries throughout Asia, EMEA and the Americas, remains in growth mode with the addition of Adrián Chinchilla as leader of its operations in Costa Rica. He assumes the title of partner and general manager and will lead the search for senior executives and
Korn Ferry Stock Surges to Record High on Close of Fiscal Year Report
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has posted 2018 fiscal year-end revenues of $1.767 billion, an increase of 12.9 percent from $1.57 billion in 2017. The organic growth was driven by all three lines of business with Futurestep growing 22.1 percent, executive search expanding 14.8 percent, and Hay Group increasing 8.4 percent. It’s been an amazing run for Korn Ferry
Polachi Finds Chief People Officer for Bottom Line Technologies
Talent acquisition strategies at many large companies have become as complex as their balance sheets. At most companies the chief human resource officer plays a vital role in overseeing an organization’s broad-based workforce. The chief people officer, on the other hand, typically goes beyond overseeing an organization’s people policies. The focus instead is on building talent
RSR Partners Finds Executive Director for Race Team Alliance
Greenwich, Conn-based executive search firm RSR Partners has placed Jonathan Marshall as executive director of the Race Team Alliance (RTA), an association of Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series teams. Principal Dany B. Berghoff spearheaded the search. Mr. Marshall is former chief operating officer and general counsel of the World Surf League. He has also worked
