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Wray Executive Search Appoints Managing Partners
Wray Executive Search, a provider of executive search and advisory services in the restaurant, foodservice, retail, and franchise industries, has announced a planned leadership transition designed to support long-term continuity and growth. Current partners Kevin Stockslager and Ray Kelley have been named managing partners, while longtime CEO and managing partner Bob Gershberg will remain involved
Vardis Finds PE CEOs Under Pressure, But Optimistic
The Private Equity CEO Report from Vardis, based on a survey of 1,200 chief executives of PE-backed companies, paints a picture of resilience paired with constraint. Seventy percent of CEOs say company performance is “as expected” or better, yet exit activity remains muted, with 2025 tracking as the slowest year for PE exits since 2017, despite a
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.
Vetted Solutions Recruits CEO for GO2 for Lung Cancer
Washington, D.C.-based Vetted Solutions has placed David Benson as the new CEO of GO2 for Lung Cancer. “David is an exceptional leader with a deep commitment to improving the lives of people affected by cancer,” said GO2 board president Rick Sherlock. “His collaborative leadership style, strategic vision, and ability to build meaningful partnerships make him the right
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?
TalentRise Assists Grassroots Gardens of WNY with Executive Director Search
TalentRise has assisted in the recruitment of Megan Kelly as the new executive director of Grassroots Gardens of WNY. “We’re thrilled to announce Meg Kelly as the new executive director of Grassroots Gardens WNY,” the organization said. “Meg brings experience to our garden network from her work with the region’s business and entrepreneurship community, and enters
Private Equity Firms Rethink Executive Hiring for Future Growth
PE investors routinely underwrite businesses based on their future state. For example, an investment thesis may assume a restaurant company will double its unit count, accelerate franchising, expand geographically, complete acquisitions, improve margins, or become significantly more institutionalized during the hold period. Executive hiring, however, often remains anchored to the present, according to a new
ON Partners Recruits CFO for Fortera
Partners Josh Nathanson and Chris Clements along with principal Alexis Rohe of ON Partners have placed Albert Luu as the new CFO of cement manufacturer Fortera in San Jose, CA. “Fortera is at a stage where the work we’ve done to prove the technology now has to be matched by our ability to finance and execute at scale,”
BoardWalk Consulting Assists Downtown Atlanta with CEO Search
BoardWalk Consulting has recruited Kyle Waide as the new CEO of Downtown Atlanta Inc. (DAI) to lead in its search for a CEO. The search was led by Sam Pettway, Crystal Stephens, and Patti Kish. The search committee began its work in April of 2026 under the leadership of Egbert Perry, CEO, Integral Group; longtime member of CAP and
SearchWide Global Recruits President and CEO for Visit California
SearchWide Global has helped to recruit Julie Coker as the new president and CEO of Visit California. She succeeds longtime leader Caroline Beteta, who announced her retirement earlier this year. The assignment was led by Mike Gamble, chairman, CEO, and co-founder of SearchWide. The appointment is the culmination of a comprehensive global search conducted in partnership
JM Search Expands Search Team
JM Search, a senior-level talent provider serving private equity investors, portfolio companies, and Fortune 1000s, has expanded with the additions of Amber Shockey as partner within its legal practice and Curtis Walker as principal within its media & telecommunications team. “Continued private equity investment across legal services, legal-adjacent businesses, and professional sports is elevating the importance of
Interim or Executive Search? Choosing the Right Leadership Solution
Interim leadership has moved well beyond being a stopgap solution for unexpected vacancies. As organizations face greater complexity, faster strategic shifts, and mounting pressure to deliver results, boards and CEOs are increasingly turning to experienced interim leaders as a flexible way to maintain momentum and address critical business needs. For executive search firms, that shift
Funk Associates Assists the University of North Florida with the Recruitment of Eighth President
Funk Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Michael P. Shannon as the eighth president of the University of North Florida (UNF). Past president Moez Limayem stepped down from his position in early 2026. “Mike Shannon is the leader who can build on UNF’s strong momentum and continue to elevate the University’s incredible impact across our
DHR Global Recruits President of Business Operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins
Talent advisory firm DHR Global has placed Marcel Braithwaite as president of business operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins. This search was led by Mike Gagliardi and Glenn Sugiyama of DHR’s sports practice. “Marcel is going to be a transformational hire for one of the NHL’s premier teams,” said Mr. Sugiyama, managing partner of DHR’s sports practice. “I had the
Mercuri Urval Expands International Public and ESG Expert Practice
Stockholm, Sweden-based executive search firm Mercuri Urval (MU) has expanded with the addition of former Danish government minister Astrid Krag to its international public and ESG expert practice. “With Astrid’s extensive experience in international public affairs, strong commitment to ESG and sustainability, and deep understanding of life sciences, she brings a valuable combination of expertise and
ZRG Partners Acquires N2Growth’s Spain Business
ZRG Partners has entered the Spanish market through the acquisition of the business formerly known as Blacksmith that had been doing business since 2023 under the umbrella of N2Growth. Through this integration, ZRG enters the Spanish market with an established local team and the goal of offering Spanish and international clients agile, high-touch advisory backed by
Family Offices Move Into Human Capital M&A
Altss’ latest ranking, The 50 Largest Family Offices in the World (2026), illustrates the scale family capital has reached. The 50 largest offices collectively manage an estimated $2.4 trillion, with the top 10 controlling more than $1.5 trillion. Twenty-eight of the top 50 are headquartered in North America, while private equity represents their largest average portfolio allocation
The Leadership Pipeline Crisis: AI’s Hidden Cost
Companies everywhere are celebrating leaner teams, faster execution, and higher productivity thanks to AI, according to HIRECLOUT. From a business perspective, the logic is easy to understand, according to Avetis Antaplyan, founder and CEO of HIRECLOUT. “Investors reward efficiency,” Mr. Antaplyan said. “Leaders are under pressure to do more with less. Automation is eliminating repetitive
Klein Hersh Recruits CFO for Sparrow Pharmaceuticals
Klein Hersh, a search firm focused on the life sciences and healthcare industries, has recruited George Eldridge as the new CFO of Sparrow Pharmaceuticals, a targeted cardiometabolic therapeutics company. “We are thrilled to welcome George to Sparrow at such an important time for our company,” said Robert Jacks, president and CEO of Sparrow Pharmaceuticals. “George
McCormack + Kristel Seeking Executive Director for NEXT Harm Reduction
McCormack + Kristel has been retained by NEXT Harm Reduction (NEXT Distro) to lead in its search for an executive director. This is a rare opportunity for a visionary leader and skilled fundraiser to take a nationally recognized organization with an urgent mandate and grow it to the scale the moment demands. Reporting to the board
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
HelloSky Brings Its Graph of People, Investors, and Companies Into Claude and ChatGPT
Executive search firms are increasingly looking for ways to move beyond traditional databases and static candidate profiles as clients demand deeper market intelligence and faster, more precise insight into leadership talent. Advances in artificial intelligence are giving recruiters new tools to connect people, companies, investors, relationships, and career outcomes in ways that can strengthen candidate
Harris Search Associates Leading Senior Assignment for Carnegie Mellon University
Harris Search Associates has been retained by Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) to lead in its search for newly created role of associate vice president for research computing and data (AVP RCD). Jeffrey Harris and Ed Christ are leading the assignment. This role offers a unique opportunity to elevate and transform CMU’s research computing ecosystem positioning it to better support
Preng & Associates Assists SOGC, LLC with President Search
Following a comprehensive executive search, Houston-based Preng & Associates assisted in the recruitment of David French as the new president of SOGC, LLC. “Preng & Associates is proud to have supported this important leadership appointment and continues to partner with energy companies worldwide in identifying and securing transformative executive talent,” the firm said. Mr. French brings
NPAG Appoints Senior Advisor
Executive search firm NPAG has appointed André Blackman as senior advisor. In this new role, he will build and lead a practice focused on mission-driven innovation — connecting dynamic leadership talent and the development resources to keep that talent in seat, to founders and organizations solving problems that matter. “André brings a rare combination of strategic insight, storytelling
Sheffield Haworth Adds Private Equity & Growth Venture Portfolio Assets Veteran
Global leadership advisory and executive search firm Sheffield Haworth has expanded with the addition of Michael McDonnell as managing director, private equity and growth venture portfolio assets. He is based in the New York office and works within the technology sector practice. “We are thrilled to welcome Michael to the team,” said Paul Gillespie, managing director of the
Leadership Needs Shift in a Changing Federal Market
Executive search across the federal contracting, government services, defense, and technology sectors is entering a new phase as companies look for more sophisticated ways to evaluate leadership beyond résumés, references, and past performance. In markets where specialized experience, relationships, and an understanding of complex government customers can be critical, the challenge is not simply identifying
Private Equity Rollup Wave Reshapes Executive Search
What may once have looked like a series of isolated transactions is increasingly taking on the shape of a broader industry shift. As capital moves into the sector and firms rethink where they have true competitive strength, the pattern is becoming harder to ignore. “A year ago, I would have called this a prediction, today,
HARTZ Search Seeking Chief Revenue Officer for Geisinger
Charlotte, NC-based HARTZ Search was recently retained by Geisinger to lead in its search for a chief revenue officer. This executive will direct, manage, and implement programs to ensure efficient revenue management operations and sufficient cash flow to support Geisinger operations and strategic initiatives. The role is responsible for identifying, analyzing, reducing, and resolving revenue management issues
Kincannon & Reed Places Executive Director for the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association
Kincannon & Reed (K&R), which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has assisted in the recruitment of Patrick Carney as the new executive director of the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association. Dave Smith stepped down from his executive role after leading the association for more than 30 years. “Patrick pairs dairy industry knowledge with
2025 Talent Trend: New Leaders Focusing on Team Alignment and Impact
A leadership trend that has emerged over the past few years is coming to a head, bringing with it a new set of recruitment and talent engagement challenges and opportunities in 2025, according to a new report from Lindauer. Findings from a study by the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources say that
U.K. Companies Struggle to Fill Management Positions
There has been a significant drop in applications for management jobs, resulting in a growing challenge for U.K. businesses looking to fill managerial roles, according to data released by CV-Library, a U.K. independent job board. The job site’s statistics indicate that June saw the biggest drop in applications for management roles since July 2014, suggesting that
Heidrick & Struggles Names Head of Automotive Practice in the Americas
Former Russell Reynolds Associates recruiter Gregg McDonald has joined Heidrick & Struggles’ Atlanta office where he will serve as a partner in the firm’s industrial search practice and head its automotive sector in the Americas. Mr. McDonald brings recruiting experience serving a wide variety of clients including Fortune 500, mid-cap public companies, and private equity & venture-backed
Major, Lindsey & Africa Recruits General Counsel for Panasonic North America
Search firm Major, Lindsey & Africa (MLA) has recruited Damien Atkins as general counsel and corporate secretary at Panasonic North America. He becomes the company’s chief legal advisor and will be responsible for providing Panasonic and its North American affiliates with legal and regulatory compliance services. Mr. Atkins has held numerous roles in his 10 years with AOL,
McCormack & Farrow Opens Office In Idaho
Executive search firm McCormack & Farrow has opened a Mountain West office in Pocatello, Idaho. Brad Yates, a senior partner with the firm, will manage the new office, which will be integrated closely with the firm’s Arizona and California offices and serve the executive search needs of both publicly traded and privately held businesses operating in the
Boomerang Partners Recruits CEO for Spotless Group
Sydney-headquartered executive search firm Boomerang Partners has placed former KPMG executive Martin Sheppard as chief executive officer of Spotless Group. He will replace Bruce Dixon, who will step down before the end of the year. The placement was the result of a six-month search process which culminated in a shortlist of 10 candidates. Mr. Sheppard
HELP WANTED: Large Companies Seek HR Generalists
Despite job opportunities in the human resources field remaining flat since the start of the year, there is increased confidence among HR professionals that they can land new jobs in their field, according to a just released survey from the Society for Human Resource Management. SHRM’s survey examines hiring trends in the HR profession as well
Isaacson, Miller Leading Chancellor Search for University of Nebraska – Lincoln
The University of Nebraska – Lincoln has retained Isaacson, Miller to lead its search for a new chancellor. David Bellshaw, vice president and managing partner in Isaacson, Miller’s California office, will head the assignment. Mr. Bellshaw previously assisted the university in the presidential search for the University of Nebraska Medical Center chancellor. “This is a critical search for the university,
Korn Ferry Names Managing Director / Energy Practice Partner In Houston
Korn Ferry has added Chad Hesters as managing director of the firm’s Houston office and a senior client partner in its energy search practice. Mr. Hesters has placed multiple senior level executives across the C-suite at publicly-traded, private equity-operated and family-owned companies. He joins Korn Ferry after spending seven years in the Houston office of Heidrick & Struggles,
Myers McRae Heading President Search for Lake-Sumter State College
Georgia-based executive search firm Myers McRae has been selected by Lake-Sumter State College to lead its search for a new president. Myers McRae president and CEO, Emily Parker Myers, along with vice presidents Robb Myers and Bobby Pope, are heading the assignment. Ms. Parker Myers conducts a wide range of searches; her areas of specialty are presidential, provost, vice
Penna Joins Senior Management Worldwide
Penna Plc has become the U.K. member firm of Senior Management Worldwide (SMW), an international executive interim network. Taking over from a previous U.K. member firm, Penna will represent the U.K. in the SMW network. Joining the network of 15 partners will enable Penna’s executive recruitment and interim division to expand its international reach and support other interim businesses
Global Business CEOs Anticipate Hiring Uptick Over Next Three Years
Chief executives of global businesses say they are confident about the ability of their companies to grow over the next three years and are expressing confidence about the prospects for the global economy, according to the 2015 KPMG ‘CEO Outlook Study’ of 1,278 chief executives. Sixty-nine percent of CEOs in Europe, 66 percent in Asia Pacific and
Allen Austin Launches Healthcare Recruiting Practice
Global leadership advisory firm Allen Austin has opened its new healthcare practice with the addition of Brian A. Johnston as senior partner and healthcare practice leader. Mr. Johnston brings over 25 years of broad-based healthcare executive search management experience to the firm. From Allen Austin’s Nashville offices, Mr. Johnston will partner with board members and senior leadership within the healthcare
Storbeck / Pimentel Heading President Search for University of Wyoming
Storbeck/Pimentel & Associates has been selected by the University of Wyoming to lead its search for a new president. Current UW president Dick McGinity is stepping down after a year and a half on the job. He replaced Bob Sternberg, who resigned in November 2013 after less than five months as president. Trustee Jeff Marsh, who is chair
McDermott & Bull Recruits HR Head for Agility Fuel Systems
Irvine, CA-based McDermott & Bull has placed Nicole Arvizu as head of human resources with Agility Fuel Systems, a market leader in the design, engineering, manufacturing and installation of natural gas fuel systems for heavy duty trucks, buses and specialty vehicles. McDermott & Bull’s search process identified 123 candidates throughout Southern California, presenting six strong HR practitioners
Sanford Rose Associates Adds Smith Consulting Group to Network
The Sanford Rose Associates Executive Search Network has added The Smith Consulting Group, LLC, as the newest member of the Sanford Rose Associates (SRA) network of offices. Smith Consulting Group is an executive search firm specializing in mid- to senior-level positions in the civil engineering industry. The firm focuses on searches within the engineering, architecture, and IT industries and
Global Talent Shortages Expected to Continue Into 2016
Thirty-two percent of U.S. employers report difficulties filling job vacancies due to talent shortages, according to the new Talent Shortage Survey by ManpowerGroup. This marks an eight percent decline from 2014. Globally, the percentage of employers experiencing difficulties continued to rise, increasing from 36 percent in 2014 to 38 percent in 2015. The survey polled 41,748 employers in 42
Spencer Stuart Heading CEO Search for Numerex
Numerex Corporation has retained Spencer Stuart to lead its search for a chief executive officer. Current chairman and CEO, Stratton Nicolaides, will be assisting with the search process and will continue as CEO until a successor has been selected. He will then continue as executive chairman and help develop overall corporate strategy and provide leadership, and build consensus
AGB Search to Recruit Widener University President
Executive search firm AGB Search Inc. has been selected by Widener University to lead the search for its 10th president. The next president will succeed Dr. James T. Harris, who has led the University for the past 13 years. Dr. Stephen C. Wilhite, Widener’s provost, is serving as interim president through 2016. Consultants Dr. Thomas B. Courtice,
Former NFL Player Joins Alder Koten as Senior Advisor
Executive search firm Alder Koten has added former NFL kicker Raul Allegre as a consultant and senior advisor to the firm’s sports practice. He will collaborate in executive search work focused on CEOs, executives, and senior-level coaching talent. In addition, he will also participate in consulting engagements related to leadership and organizational effectiveness helping clients in the professional
Kingsley Gate Partners Adds Another CTPartners Recruiter
Former CTPartners recruiter Tom Koch has joined executive search firm Kingsley Gate Partners as a senior partner. He joins fellow former CTPartners veterans Buster Houchins, Umesh Ramakrishnan, Raj Kapoor, and Adam P. Kohn, whot joined Kingsley Gate Partners over the past month. Mr. Koch’s clients include for-profit and not-for-profit healthcare and healthcare services, as well as Fortune 500 companies in life sciences, consumer/retail
Major League Baseball Taps Korn Ferry to Advance Senior-Level Minority and Female Hiring
In an effort to give minority and female candidates a better chance to land higher visibility positions, Major League Baseball has tapped Korn Ferry to provide league-wide talent support services, which includes assisting candidates who reach the interview process for baseball operations positions. MLB has instructed Korn Ferry to provide special emphasis to help some
Harvey Nash Opens in Singapore
Global executive search firm Harvey Nash has expanded its Asia Pacific business with the opening of a new office in Singapore. The firm has appointed Richard Goddard as managing director of South-East Asia operations. With over two decades of international search experience across the global technology marketplace, Mr. Goddard will lead the development of Harvey Nash’s South-East
Weatherbee Talent Group Launches to Serve PR Firms
Executive search firm Weatherbee Talent Group has been launched in Los Angeles by recruiting veteran Alan Weatherbee. The firm will specialize in placing senior level marketing, digital and PR professionals throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia. With 12 years in executive search, Mr. Weatherbee previously served as senior vice president – talent search at global PR and strategic
JDG Associates Taps CEO for the Institute of Transportation Engineers
Search firm JDG Associates Ltd. has placed Jeffrey Paniati as executive director and chief executive officer of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE). Mr. Paniati will remain in his current position with the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) as executive director, office of the administrator, until mid-October, after which time he will join
Mark Oppenheimer Explores the Evolving Relationship Between CHROs and Executive Recruiters
Mark Oppenheimer is managing partner for the Americas at Marlin Hawk, a leadership advisory and executive search firm with offices in London, New York, San Francisco and Hong Kong. Since joining the firm in 2005, he has been the driving force behind the expansion of Marlin Hawk in the U.S. In the following interview, Mr. Oppenheimer
A Pull-Back In Sentiment: Chief Executives Temper Hiring Plans
American CEOs are tempering their business plans for capital investment and hiring, reflecting concerns about the continued sub-par growth trajectory of the U.S. economy, according to the Business Roundtable second quarter 2015 ‘CEO Economic Outlook Survey,’ a composite of CEO projections for sales and plans for capital spending and hiring over the next six months. The Index declined
Egon Zehnder Recruits CEO for Nordic Financial Services Group Nordea
Egon Zehnder has assisted Nordea with its appointment of Casper von Koskull as president and chief executive officer. He will succeed Christian Clausen who has decided to step down after more than eight years as CEO of Nordea. The change will take effect on November 1 and Mr. Clausen will continue in an advisory role until the end of 2016, when he
Calibre One Adds Partners In Sydney and Shanghai
Executive search firm Calibre One has strengthened its presence in Asia Pacific with the additions of Ben Burrell as managing partner in Sydney and James Gathercole as partner in Shanghai. The search was managed by Rochelle Schumer of R&L Associates. Mr. Burrell most recently founded tech start-up company Opp Agent. He has a long executive search career and
Bespoke Partners Recruits CEO for SR Labs
Executive search firm Bespoke Partners has recruited Jennifer Nayar as chief executive officer of Street Response Laboratories (SR Labs), a provider of low latency enterprise market data and market access solutions for the financial industry. Ms. Nayar will draw upon her extensive expertise in the financial information and technology industry to drive continued global growth of SR Labs.
hrQ Appoints New President
Executive search and professional services firm hrQ has promoted Kathy Rapp to president. Ms. Rapp joined hrQ eight years ago in the role of managing director. She subsequently launched the firm’s Houston office and her role expanded to oversee hrQ’s growth across all of Texas. As president, she will remain based in Houston with operational leadership
U.K. Employers to Increase Hiring in Second Half of 2015
Heading into the second of 2015, British employers and job seekers are feeling positive about recruitment in the coming months, with 45 percent of employers polled set to hire permanent, full-time staff, according to CareerBuilder’s ‘U.K. Mid-Year Job Forecast.’ Another 43 percent plan to hire temporary or contract workers while three in 10 (27 percent) of workers
