DAILY NEWSWIRE - TOP STORIES
Daily Newswire
AI Adoption Linked to Stronger Revenue Growth Across Executive Search Firms
Macroeconomic conditions were unpredictable and labor markets remained sluggish in 2025, but many firms were able to find success in this challenging market. One way was with AI, which revolutionized the recruitment industry in 2025. Top-performing firms are four times as likely to be using AI, and 55 percent have seen KPIs increase more than
2026: A Year of Intentional Growth for HR Leadership
Global markets are moving out of a period defined by uncertainty and into one that favors disciplined execution. Organizations are no longer waiting for perfect conditions before acting; instead, they are recalibrating how they grow, where they invest, and which leaders they rely on to deliver results. In this environment, HR leadership is becoming increasingly
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.
Lochlin Partners Recruits CHRO for Communities Foundation of Texas
Lochlin Partners has placed DeLancey Johnson as chief human resources officer of Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT). “Delancey brings new perspective, experience, and leadership to CFT as we continue building a culture that supports our mission and our staff experts,” said Wayne White, president and CEO of Communities Foundation of Texas. “His depth of experience leading
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?
HTP Group Expands in Europe and Transatlantic Markets with Four Partner Appointments
HTP Group has expanded with the additions of François Carloni, Diego Chinnì, Sandrine Lebouc, and Chloë Sonnois as partners. These appointment marks a significant milestone in HTP Group’s international growth, strengthening its capabilities across France, Italy, and Switzerland, while establishing its first-ever dedicated bridge to the North American market. “We are thrilled to welcome Chloë, Diego,
Fractional CHRO vs. Interim HR Leader: Key Differences and When to Hire Each
As organizations grow, restructure, prepare for investment, or navigate leadership change, many realize they need experienced HR leadership – but not always in the same way. That’s where fractional CHRO and interim HR solutions come in, according to a recent Talent Connections report. “While these terms are often grouped together, they solve very different business
Greenwood Asher & Associates Leading General Counsel Search for Illinois State University
Miramar Beach, FL-based executive recruitment firm Greenwood Asher & Associates (GA&A) was recently selected by Illinois State University to lead in its search for a general counsel. Kyle Pybus-Jerome and Jim Johnsen are leading the assignment. Reporting directly to the president and serving as a member of the president’s cabinet, the general counsel will serve as the University’s chief
ESGI Potomac Recruits CFO for MTSI
ESGI Potomac recently assisted in the recruitment of Ashutosh Gokhale as executive vice president and CFO of Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI). “We welcome Ashutosh Gokhale as our new executive vice president and chief financial officer,” said Kevin Robinson, MTSI president and CEO. “As MTSI continues its growth trajectory, Ashutosh’s leadership, financial expertise, and strategic perspective
Marovi Targets Executive Search’s Evaluation Gap With AI-Driven Platform
Atlanta-GA-based Marovi has shared details of its market momentum and customer experience. Core to Marovi’s success is its proprietary evaluation intelligence engine, which weights every candidate against role-specific requirements and generates scorecard comparisons and curated shortlists before the interviewing process commences. Executive search has long been a high-stakes, challenge-filled endeavor, where misalignment can cause significant disruption. Ensuring
Parker Remick Appoints Partner
Seattle, WA-based Parker Remick has expanded with the addition of Amy Lewis as partner. Kevin Williamson, founder of Parker Remick, believes technology leadership has become one of the defining competitive advantages for large enterprises. “Technology leadership has never carried greater responsibility than it does today,” he said. “Every board is evaluating how AI, product innovation, and engineering capability
From Performance Reviews to People Intelligence: Rethinking How Organizations Assess Talent
Performance management is increasingly moving beyond a once- or twice-a-year exercise as organizations look for more timely insight into how leaders and teams are actually performing. For search and talent leaders, that shift is creating new opportunities to use people data more strategically in decisions around succession, development, retention, and leadership readiness. As companies place
millionways and Waxell Form Alliance to Bring Behavioral Intelligence to AI Governance and Agent Observability
millionways, the behavioral intelligence layer for the human-agent workforce, recently formed a strategic partnership with Waxell, an AI governance and agent observability company. The alliance was formed to help enterprises govern, observe, and improve AI agents operating in high-stakes human environments. As enterprises move from copilots to autonomous and semi-autonomous agents, AI systems are being given
How to Build a Perpetual CEO Succession Pipeline
CEO succession planning is increasingly being treated as a continuous leadership priority rather than a process that begins only when a departure is announced. With chief executives serving for a relatively limited period compared with the lifespan of most organizations, boards are under growing pressure to build deeper pipelines, develop internal talent, and maintain visibility
Slone Partners Recruits CEO for Perspectum
Life sciences-focused search firm Slone Partners has placed Warren Cresswell as CEO at Perspectum, an Oxford, England-based precision health company that delivers non-invasive solutions to accelerate drug development and improve patient outcomes in liver and cardiometabolic disease. “Warren brings an exceptional combination of global leadership experience, commercial expertise, and deep knowledge across diagnostics and precision health,” said Leslie
Anthem Executive | Anthem Academics Assists Texas A&M International University with Director of Athletics Search
Anthem Executive | Anthem Academics has assisted Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) with the recruitment of director of athletics. Michael Ballew, Scott Watson, Mike “JR” Wheless, and Florene Stawowy led the assignment. “We are excited to welcome Tyler to Texas A&M International University and to join our Dustdevil family,” said University president Christopher Maynard. His commitment to the academic
The Invisible Month in Executive Recruitment: The Overlooked ROI of Shortlist Due Diligence
Executive search firms are under growing pressure to protect both client outcomes and their own reputations as leadership decisions become more visible and consequential. That has put greater focus on when risk is identified in the search process, not simply whether it is identified at all, and on how earlier diligence can help firms avoid
AI Moves Deeper Into Executive Search Workflows as Innova Heads to Chicago
Artificial intelligence is moving quickly from experimentation into the day-to-day work of executive search firms, but adoption remains uneven across the industry. As search leaders evaluate a growing number of tools, many are looking for practical examples of where AI can improve research, business development, search delivery, and operations without compromising judgment or quality. The
JDG Associates Retained by SPIE to Lead CEO Search
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates has been selected by SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, to lead its search for a new CEO. The Bellingham, WA-based society, the premier global organization advancing light-based research and technologies, seeks a strategic, globally minded executive to succeed CEO Kent Rochford, who will depart in February
CIO Partners Seeking Chief Information Officer for Resideo
CIO Partners was recently tapped by Resideo to lead in its search for a new chief information officer. This executive is responsible for defining and executing the enterprise technology strategy that enables innovation across connected home products, digital services, and global distribution operations at Resideo Technologies. This leader ensures that enterprise technology platforms, cloud infrastructure, and
DSG Global Appoints Managing Directors
DSG Global has expanded with the additions of Kris McFeely, Chris Clarey, and Scott Murray as managing directors. Ms. McFeely, who joins the firm’s nonprofit and social impact practice, brings more than two decades of executive search experience to the team. She specializes in identifying and recruiting exceptional leaders for mission-driven organizations. Drawing on experience across
U.S. M&A Accelerates as Buyers Raise the Bar
EY-Parthenon’s September Merger Monthly points to continued momentum across the U.S. M&A market. Through August, deal value for transactions above $100 million reached approximately $2.2 trillion, up roughly 48 percent year-over-year, while volume increased 23 percent. Momentum remained strong from June through August, with deal value rising 23 percent and volume advancing 22 percent from
Why the Best Job Offer Is About More Than Salary
A higher salary can make a new job attractive, but compensation alone does not always tell candidates whether an offer is truly better. According to a recent report from NPAworldwide, recruiters can play an important role in helping candidates evaluate the complete package while also helping employers understand why a competitive base salary may not
Buffkin / Baker Recruits President for Valdosta State University
Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker has assisted in the recruitment of Donald J. Green president of Valdosta State University (VSU). Partner Ann Yates and associate Dinah DeWitt led the assignment. “Don Green is a leader who knows how to deliver results, and he’s proven that time and again,” USG chancellor Sonny Perdue said. “At Gordon State, he focused on
The Moran Company Recruits CEO for The Arc of New Mexico
The Moran Company, an executive recruitment firm that specializes in the non-profit sector, has placed Tracie Fletcher as the new executive director of The Arc of New Mexico. Senior search consultant Bruce Scott led the assignment. “Tracie brings a 25-year track record of leadership in non-profit, government, and community organizations,” The Arc of New Mexico said in a
Riviera Partners Expands Public Practice
San Francisco-based Riviera Partners, a recruitment provider specializing in C-level engineering, product, and design leader placements, has expanded with the addition of Archer McFall as a partner within its public practice serving large, publicly-traded companies and late-stage, pre-IPO companies. “Getting the right CTO, CIO, or chief AI officer in place, building the team structure around AI, making sure the
Building Your IR Function: The Questions Every VC Should be Asking
As venture firms mature and fundraising becomes more institutionalized, building the right investor relations function is increasingly becoming a critical part of long-term growth. The best time to hire an investor relations leader is before you urgently need one, according to a recent report from SPMB’s Suzanne Heske and Emily Leder. “LP relationships take years to
U.S. Hiring Slows as Unemployment Rate Edges Up to 4.2 Percent
Employment increased by 29,000 in September as the U.S. unemployment rate edged up to at 4.2 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The number of unemployed people, at 7.1 million, also increased in September. Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rate for people who are Black (7.0 percent) increased in September.
Cook Silverman Search Recruits Chief Development Officer for Common Sense Media
Greenbrae, CA-based Cook Silverman Search has assisted in the recruitment of Alicia Chang as chief development officer of Common Sense Media to lead in its search for a chief development officer. Ms. Chang joins Common Sense Media after spending a decade with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where she most recently served as deputy chief development officer
DRiWaterstone Human Capital Assists WJCT Public Media with CEO Search
DRiWaterstone Human Capital has assisted in the recruitment of Karen Feagins as president and CEO of WJCT Public Media, the independent, community-owned public media organization serving Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia. “Karen represents exactly what we were looking for as the next leader for WJCT Public Media,” said Bill Hendrich, chair of the WJCT Public Media board
The Future of Healthcare Leadership: AI, Innovation & Talent
The healthcare and life sciences industries are undergoing a major transformation, driven by advancements in AI, machine learning, and digital innovation. These technologies are reshaping drug discovery, patient care, and operational efficiency, requiring leaders who can harness innovation while optimizing complex systems. As competition for top talent intensifies, organizations are prioritizing executives with strong business
Robert Half Posts Strong Q4 and Year End Revenues
Robert Half International Inc. / (NYSE:RHI) posted full year revenues of $5.27 billion, up from $5.25 billion the prior year. The results surpassed Wall Street expectations. The Menlo Park, CA-based recruiting company posted fourth quarter revenues of $1.35 billion, a 6.4 percent increase from the same period last year. This also beat Street forecasts. Five analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $1.31
5 Employment Trends That Demand New Ways of Managing
Many of the workplace trends that were prevalent in 2017, such as maximizing talent analytics and improving the candidate experience, will continue to resonate this year. But other trends are emerging that demand new ways of managing and planning for the future. Successful businesses, according to a new report, must adapt to new market demands,
Phillips, DiPisa & Associates Finds CFO for Spectrum Health
Phillips, DiPisa & Associates, an executive search firm serving the healthcare sector, has placed Matthew Cox as the new senior vice president and chief financial officer of Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, MI. He replaces Ron Knaus who recently retired. Partner Michael Corey led the assignment. Mr. Cox will lead the finance team and assume financial
Reffett Associates Finds New CEO for Bartell Drugs
Executive search firm Reffett Associates has helped to place the new chief executive officer of Bartell Drugs, a family-run drug store chain in Washington State. The search was led by founder and managing partner Bill Reffett. Kathi Lentzsch is just the fifth CEO in Bartell’s 128-year history. She had been serving as the interim CEO for Gump’s,
StevenDouglas Expands to Atlanta
Sunrise, FL-based executive search firm StevenDouglas has expanded with the launch of a new office in Atlanta and the addition of David Mauger as a director of technology search. Mr. Mauger will be responsible for developing the firm’s information technology search practice by leveraging his experience in recruiting executive and middle management professionals across cybersecurity,
AIMS International Adds New Member Firm in Russia
AIMS International has added Moscow-headquartered executive recruiters Midland Hunt as its newest member firm. Midland’s founder Marina Stepanova will assume the title of managing director AIMS Russia. Ms. Stepanova has over 20 years of experience in executive search. She is involved in executive search projects for the leading international and local companies in the industrial, financial and government sectors. In
HR Leaders Cite Retention and Turnover as Top Concerns in 2018
Close to half, 47 percent, of the human resources leaders surveyed for a new report say that employee retention and turnover is their top workforce management challenge. This is the third straight year that this issue has topped the concerns cited in the annual study by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and Globoforce,
GeneCoda, a New Life Sciences Recruiter, Opens in North Carolina
A new executive search firm, GeneCoda, has been launched in Wake Forest, NC. Headed by Don Alexander, the organization will focus on recruiting for the life sciences sector. Mr. Alexander has over 15 years of progressive executive search experience and has made hundreds of placements in the life sciences sector. Among other achievements, he is
Krauthamer & Associates Lands CEO for Capital Metro
Executive search firm Krauthamer & Associates has placed Randy Clarke as the general manager and president/CEO of Capital Metro in Austin. He replaces Linda Watson, who retired at the end of last year after seven years in the job. Mr. Clarke start his new role in March. Mr. Clarke, who has a five year contract, will
KLR Executive Search Leading CEO Assignment for United Way of Rhode Island
Providence, RI-headquartered KLR Executive Search Group has been retained by the United Way of Rhode Island to lead its hunt for a new president and CEO. Long-time leader Anthony Maione announced he is retiring at the end of the year. Partner Edward Blum is leading the assignment. The search committee is led by Dolph L. Johnson
Horton International Expands in South Africa
Executive search consultants are seeing an increase in hiring mandates from around the world. To meet demand, they continue to develop new practices, hire recruiters and open locations. Among them, Horton International has added the Human Capital Group, strengthening Horton’s presence and expertise in South Africa. Established in 2003 and led by managing partner Brian Wasmuth, the
Three Quarters of Recruiting Firms Expect Revenues to Rise in 2018
Seventy five percent of recruiting firms anticipated an increase in 2018 revenue versus 2017 revenue, according to Bullhorn’s “2018 North American Staffing & Recruiting Trends Report: The Industry’s Outlook for 2018.” Overall, the report showed that recruiting professionals remain optimistic for a successful 2018, as they did for 2017, despite increasing concerns and emerging challenges
Culture Transformation Consultancy Walking the Talk Appoints New CEO
Walking the Talk, a global culture transformation firm, has appointed Chris Pierce-Cooke as its new CEO. He replaces co-founder Carolyn Taylor, who shifts to the role of executive chairman. Mr. Pierce-Cooke has over 20 years of multinational experience as a business leader, entrepreneur and advisor in publicly traded, private partnership and family-owned businesses with revenues between $1
Catherine French Group Finds Leader for New Spire Arts
Following an extensive national search, Daniel Phoenix Singh, a dancer and arts leader, has been selected to lead New Spire Arts in Frederick, MD. The search was led by Catherine French Group, a specialist in the performing arts sector located in Washington, D.C. Mr. Singh “is excited to be working with New Spire Arts and
Major, Lindsey & Africa Finds CIO for Ice Miller
Major, Lindsey & Africa (MLA) has placed Matt Tader as chief information officer at AmLaw 200 firm Ice Miller. The assignment was led by partner Amanda K. Brady along with managing director Dustin Laws. “Matt’s strong record of developing and executing turnarounds involving significant change with processes, people and technology, ideally position him to drive process efficiencies within
TRANSEARCH Opens Offices in Shanghai and Hong Kong
TRANSEARCH International has expanded with the opening of new offices in Shanghai and Hong Kong. The locations will be led by Addy Lee and Donald Hsu, respectively. With a corporate general management background and having placed over 500 senior executives into multinationals and Chinese companies, Mr. Lee is described as an astute judge of people and character. He also has
The Idea of Cultural Fit Might Be More Myth Than Reality
Human resources executives and recruiters have been using the term “cultural fit” – generally defined as the ability of an employee to fit with the core beliefs, attitudes and behaviors that make up an organization – for a decade or two. The popularity of the concept has ebbed and flowed, but as an HR professional
Toft Group Lands CEO for Neurotrope
Executive search firm Toft Group Executive Search has recruited Charles S. Ryan as a board member and CEO at NY-headquartered clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company Neurotrope. He assumes his new role in two weeks. Mark Soufleris, Toft Group’s pharmaceutical practice leader, led the search along with vice president Raul Lamas. “We are proud to have placed Dr. Ryan as Neurotrope’s next
B.E. Smith Leads CFO Search for Oklahoma Medical Center
As the healthcare industry continues its transformation, talent management remains a high priority. The shortage of physicians and other clinicians is one matter. But healthcare organizations must also fill new and expanding leadership roles to carry out strategic initiatives in response to reform efforts, and whatever changes Congress may deliver. This has produced a high
hrQ and Revolution Advisors Merge
Executive search and professional services firm hrQ and human capital consulting specialist Revolution Advisors have joined forces. The firms will move forward operating under the hrQ banner and platform, led by managing partners Kha Le, Molly McCoy, Kathy Rapp and Brian Wilkerson. “This positions hrQ to help our clients get ahead of the curve when it comes
SRi Opens New Office In Shanghai
Executive search firm SRi has expanded its Asia operations with the launch of a Shanghai office and the addition of key staff to its Greater China team. The Greater China team, which is led by partner Ting Zhang, has seen growth of 25 percent over the past year thanks to senior search and advisory work across major sports,
How to Stay Ahead of Recruiting Challenges This Year
Competition for finance talent is fierce. To stand out among competitors – and attract top talent – employers are constantly seeking ways to stay on top of recruiting trends and face new challenges head-on as they arise. New York-based search and advisory firm Atlantic Group recently released a new report, authored by senior director Sarah Brumbley, laying out the
Vlaad and Company Chosen by Canada Infrastructure Bank to Lead Search Efforts
Vlaad and Company, a Toronto-based financial services executive search firm, has been retained to help structure and take part in the hiring of up to 50 employees that are expected to be added to the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) by this summer. The newly created bank is designed to attract private investment in Canadian infrastructure
Storbeck/Pimentel & Associates Seeks President for University of Oklahoma
Executive search firms continue to reap the benefits of an active education sector, which many academic recruiters report has never been busier. Even smaller recruiting outfits have multiple assignments running concurrently, all at the senior levels. If any slowdown is coming, it most likely will be found at the talent identification stage. With so much
Quick Leonard Kieffer Appoints CEO
Executive recruitment firms have made a number of top leadership appointments this past year, many focused on strategy, growth, branding efforts and operations. The latest: Chicago-based Quick Leonard Kieffer has named Steven M. Derks as its president and CEO. He takes over from Roger Quick, who will now serve as vice chair. “We are delighted to welcome
StevenDouglas Expands Into Canada
Sunrise, FL-based executive search firm StevenDouglas has expanded into Canada with the opening of a new office in Toronto. Navinder Binning, who joined the firm as vice president, will lead the executive search business in the Canadian region, said the firm. Her focus will be to further develop the recruiters’ presence by delivering high-caliber talent for Canada’s leading
Bringing Today’s Candidates Into New Talent Pipelines
Companies continue to have trouble attracting and hiring top talent. As the scope of readily available high-level candidates shrinks, leading prospects have more offers than ever. For employers, the answer is to place greater emphasis on the candidate in building a talent pipeline, according to a recent study by Aberdeen Group. Eighty-seven percent of companies
TillmanCarlson Names CEO
Executive search firm TillmanCarlson has appointed Kelly Carlson as its president and CEO. Entering its 16th year, the firm says her promotion sets the stage for growth, innovation and the ability to provide a clear alternative to larger human capital firms. “When we founded the business in 2002, we set out to build a firm that was
Preng & Associates Lands CEO for Memphis Light, Gas and Water
After a national search, executive recruitment firm Preng & Associates has placed Jarl T. Young as the new president and CEO of Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW). Appointed by Mayor Jim Strickland and approved by Memphis City Council, Mr. Young begins his tenure March 19. He replaces Jerry Collins, who is retiring at the end of this
Russell Reynolds Associates Finds New CEO for Struggling Neiman Marcus Group
Russell Reynolds Associates has helped to place Geoffroy van Raemdonck as the new CEO of Neiman Marcus Group. The former Ralph Lauren group president for Europe, the Middle East and Africa replaces Karen Katz, who is retiring on Feb.12. The Dallas-based luxury department store company has been struggling under heavy debt since its $6 billion
Spencer Stuart Appoints Financial Officer Practice Leader
Chicago-headquartered search firm Spencer Stuart has named Christopher Gaunt as leader of its financial officer practice for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Mr. Gaunt works on a variety of main board CFO appointments across industries in the FTSE 100, FTSE 250 and for private equity-backed portfolio companies. He has a strong international focus, often for
