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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
Why Executive Hiring in 2026 Must Be More Strategic Than Ever
As the calendar turned to 2026, one question looms large: how will you ensure your next leadership team and your next leadership hire drives strategy, culture, and growth rather than simply filling a gap? With complexity, transformation, and succession pressures mounting, relying on who happens to be looking to join your team is no longer
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.
Potrero Group Currently Seeking Executive Director for The Pisgah Conservancy
San Francisco-based leadership consulting and search firm Potrero Group is currently leading the executive director search for The Pisgah Conservancy. Senior consultant Jena Kuznik is leading the assignment. The executive director serves as TPC’s chief executive and is the primary steward of its mission, culture, and long-term vision. This is an opportunity to lead a respected conservation organization
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?
Charles Aris Appoints Senior Practice Leader
Greensboro, NC-based executive search firm Charles Aris Executive Search has expanded with the recent addition of Scott Kennedy as senior practice leader. He will lead CFO and senior finance executive searches for growth-oriented and sponsor-backed companies, with a particular focus on software, technology and TMT. Over more than a decade in executive search, Mr. Kennedy has worked on
Talent Alignment: Why Human Capital Must Be Central to Business Strategy
While growth is expected to strengthen a business, many organizations eventually reach a point where the opposite appears to be true. Decision-making slows, accountability becomes less defined, and initiatives begin to lose momentum. Leaders begin wondering whether they need different people, a recent report from Ascentria Search Partners explained. Sometimes they do, but not always. But
Isaacson, Miller Recruits 17th President for Virginia Tech
Boston-based Isaacson, Miller has assisted in the recruitment of Richard Linton as the 17th president of Virginia Tech. He succeeds Tim Sands, who announced his resignation in April. Greg Esposito and Julie Filizetti led the search with Kristen Andersen, Raul Bernal, Victoria Castillo, and Gabrielle Nayar. “Virginia Tech is poised to make a generational leap as a
NU Advisory Partners Recruits Chief Marketing Officer for Paula’s Choice
NU Advisory Partners has placed Sheila Shekar Pollak as chief marketing officer of Paula’s Choice. The search was led by Libby Naumes, Penina Remler, and Kelsey Kelly. Ms. Shekar Pollak brings more than 20 years of marketing and brand leadership experience across consumer, beauty, apparel, and outdoor brands. Most recently, she served as chief marketing officer
Modern Executive Solutions Names New Leader to Drive M1 Technology Community Expansion
Atlanta-based talent consultancy Modern Executive Solutions has expanded with the addition of Joan Rohs as senior partner, M1 Technology Community. “We’re building an integrated network that connects exceptional leaders, brings together the right expertise, and helps prepare executives for a world being reshaped by AI,” said Mark Oppenheimer, CEO of Modern Executive Solutions. “Joan brings an extraordinary
StevenDouglas Expands HR Practice
StevenDouglas recently expanded with the addition of Brittney Molitor as a director, human resources search. “Brittney takes a highly consultative approach to search, focusing on both the capabilities required for a role and the cultural alignment needed for long-term success,” StevenDouglas said in a LinkedIn post. “She is passionate about building genuine relationships with clients
Insight Partners Launches Empower to Prepare CIOs for Board Roles
AI and software investor Insight Partners has launched Empower, a program that helps Global 2000 CIOs plan and prepare for board seats, startup advisory positions and other portfolio-career paths while they are still in their operating roles. Empower launches with 10 delivery partners, including Diligent, Heidrick & Struggles, Riviera Partners, and Global Mentors Group, and has
Brettschneider Executive Search Tapped by William Paterson University to Find Next Provost
New York City-based Brettschneider Executive Search has been retained by William Paterson University (WP) to lead in its search for a provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. Reporting to president Richard J. Helldobler, the provost will serve as chief academic officer and as a visible, collaborative partner to the president, cabinet, deans, and faculty governance bodies.
Klein Hersh Recruits President and CEO for Shenandoah Therapeutics
Klein Hersh, a search firm focused on the life sciences and healthcare industries, has placed Steve Worland as president, CEO and a member of the board of directors at Shenandoah Therapeutics. Co-founder and founding CEO Isabella Graef, has transitioned to chief scientific officer and will continue to lead Shenandoah’s scientific strategy. “I’m delighted to welcome
Harris Search Associates Seeking Research Leader for Texas A&M Semiconductor Institute
Harris Search Associates is currently seeking the inaugural director of research for Texas A&M Semiconductor Institute (TSI). Jeffrey Harris and Richard Skinner are leading the assignment. Working in close partnership with the TSI Director and other Institute leaders, the director of research serves as a catalyst to refine and evolve the TSI’s research strategy, focused on large-scale academic-industry-government private
BarkerGilmore Names Senior Director
Boutique search firm BarkerGilmore, which specializes in building corporate legal and compliance teams, recently expanded with the addition of Jesus Meraz as senior director. He brings a unique combination of leadership experience, legal training, and strategic business insight to the firm’s executive search practice. His career has been defined by helping organizations identify, attract, and develop
Revenge Quitting Creates New Challenges for Recruiters
You spend weeks helping a team find the right person. A few months later, that same role lands back on your desk because the employee has resigned. Now the position is urgent, the hiring manager wants a replacement right away, and the pressure is coming from every direction. When exits like this occur at particularly
Peña Search Seeking Chief Strategy Officer for Housing Forward
Peña Search was recently retained by Housing Forward to lead in its hunt for a chief strategy officer. Travis Hillier is leading the assignment. Reporting to the president and CEO, the chief strategy officer will serve as Housing Forward’s chief strategist and a member of the executive leadership team. The CSO will oversee the teams
Nexus Search Partners Recruits CEO for Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region
Nexus Search Partners, an executive search and advisory firm in Charlotte, NC, has assisted in the recruitment of Bryant Owens as the new CEO of Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region. He will succeed Laura Belcher, who has served the organization with distinction for more than 12 years. Owens will become the sixth CEO
Charles Aris Launches Interim Search Business
Organizations are increasingly turning to flexible leadership solutions to navigate periods of change, execute strategic initiatives and drive value creation, especially in private equity. In response to this growing demand, Greensboro, NC-based executive search firm Charles Aris Executive Search has launched Charles Aris Interim Solutions, a new division dedicated to connecting organizations with experienced independent talent for interim
Taurean Establishes Investment Search Practice
Taurean recently launched an investment search practice with the addition of Paige Ware as principal in Los Angeles. The practice serves private markets firms across asset classes. “We help these firms shape and build their capital raising and investor relations, origination, and deal teams, and place corporate development leaders into their portfolio companies,” Taurean said in a
The Chief Commercial Officer: Driving Private Equity Value Creation
As private equity firms place greater emphasis on organic growth, commercial leadership is taking on a more central role in value creation. The chief commercial officer (CCO) has become one of the most important post-acquisition hires for private equity sponsors, according to a recent report from Spencer Stuart’s Dave Vidor. As extended hold periods and
The Tolan Group Recruits CEO for U.S. Mobile Health Exams
The Tolan Group (TTG) has placed Eric Hepburn as CEO at U.S. Mobile Health Exams (USMHE) in Jacksonville, FL. He brings more than 30 years of experience in executive leadership, business operations, strategic growth, and organizational transformation. Mr. Hepburn’s appointment brings USMHE an experienced executive with a track record of strengthening business operations, developing scalable
Cooper Coleman Leading CFO Search for Jacksonville Zoological Society
Cooper Coleman LLC has been retained by Jacksonville Zoological Society, Inc. to conduct a national search for its next CFO. “Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens has an ambitious vision for its future, and its next CFO will help shape how those plans move forward,” said Johnny Cooper, founder and CEO of Cooper Coleman. “We’re looking for someone
The Christopher Group Tapped by MITRE for Head of Total Rewards Search
The Christopher Group (TCG), a boutique HR executive search and business solutions recruiting firm, has been selected by MITRE to lead in its search for a head of total rewards. The search is being led by managing partner Ayla Maloney and recruiting director Kat Kilkenney. “This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for a total rewards leader who wants to make
True Establishes Dedicated Private Credit Practice
Global executive talent platform True has launched a dedicated private credit practice, led by Rick Bank, managing director and head of the private credit and private equity practices. The launch comes as private credit enters a significant credit cycle, with 67 percent of portfolio managers citing greater competition and 64 percent citing defaults and credit losses as
Inside the Decisions That Shape Hiring and Careers
Hiring and leadership decisions continue to play an increasingly important role in shaping both individual careers and organizational performance. As companies navigate tighter talent markets, rapid technological change, and evolving expectations around leadership, greater attention is being placed on how executives identify high performers, assess potential, and make decisions about who is ready for greater
ON Partners Recruits Board Members for Artisan Industries
Partners Seth Harris and Shawn Oglesbee of ON Partners have assisted in the recruitment of Stephen S. Schwartz and Gary A. Doyon as new members of the board of directors of Artisan Industries. The addition of two independent directors strengthens the company’s governance and strategic leadership, as Artisan expands its core technologies into high-growth markets, including specialty chemicals, PFAS removal, drug
Reffett Associates Seeking Vice President of Development for the Army Historical Foundation
WA-based Reffett Associates was recently retained by the Army Historical Foundation to recruit its next vice president of development. The Army Historical Foundation is the non-profit organization that supports the National Museum of the United States Army, which honors the service and sacrifice of American soldiers throughout the Army’s history. The vice president of development will play
DHR Global Expands Middle East and Africa Presence
Talent advisory firm DHR Global has expanded with the addition of Michael Patrick Okumu-Ringa as managing partner, Middle East and Africa. Based in Dubai, he will lead the expansion of DHR’s regional business, building its team and strengthening its executive search and leadership advisory capabilities while connecting regional clients with international talent in partnership with DHR’s London office. “The
A Look at the Growing Need for Cybersecurity Executives
The market for cybersecurity recruiting is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyber threats faced by organizations globally. Companies are seeking skilled professionals to protect their data and infrastructure, leading to high demand for cybersecurity talent across various industries, executive recruiters tell Hunt Scanlon Media. This competitive landscape has resulted
Borderless Executive Search Adds Consultant
Brussels-based Borderless Executive Search has added Ronald Wintzeus as a consultant. Mr. Wintzeus will support multinationals, expanding mid-caps and start-up companies in attracting and developing senior leadership teams. He was formerly an executive recruiter with DHR International and Korn/Ferry International. “Borderless continues to expand its team of specialist consultants in order to meet the growing
DavenportMajor Completes Search for Cricket Communications
DavenportMajor Executive Search has placed Lee Siegfried as vice president of ecommerce at Cricket Communications. Mr. Siegfried previously served as executive director of ecommerce at Dell. Cricket is a simple, affordable wireless service offering consumers and local businesses a flat-rate unlimited service over the latest technology, high-quality, all-digital wireless network. DavenportMajor is an executive search
Koltin Consulting Group Completes Search for CohnReznick
Koltin Consulting Group, a provider of management consulting and executive search services, has placed Bill Andreozzi as tax partner with CohnReznick’s Los Angeles office. The search was led by managing director Geremy Cepin. Mr. Andreozzi has more than 20 years of diverse tax experience in federal, state, and international tax areas. Koltin Consulting Group provides
Mansfield & Associates Opens Office in Serbia
Mansfield & Associates, Ltd., a research driven executive search firm with offices in Cleveland, Fort Myers, Minneapolis, Chicago, San Diego and Budapest, has opened a new office in Serbia with the addition of Erika Blazic as a senior associate. Ms. Blazic has extensive background in HR generalist affairs, including experience in employee recruitment and retention,
Lumesse Releases Accelerator
Lumesse, a global leader in integrated talent management solutions, has launched Accelerator, a new offering that combines the services of onboarding, learning and social — available on its TalentLink platform. Accelerator will allow companies to fast-track time to productivity and drive new hire engagement; it is designed for HR executives, recruiters and learning and development
Christenson Advisory Services Adds Managing Principal
Christenson Advisory Services has added James E. Jones as managing principal, specializing in new business development, management consulting and talent management. Mr. Jones, who is based in the firm’s Newport Beach office, will draw upon more than 10 years of experience in corporate operations. He joins Christenson Advisory from Grubb & Ellis Company, where he
Koltin Consulting Group Completes Search For Cohnreznick
Koltin Consulting Group, a provider of management, marketing, and business consulting services to financial services firms, has placed Edward C. Mason as principal and national sales director with CohnReznick LLP. Managing director Nelson Rodriguez and director Ryan Prepelica led the assignment. Mr. Mason was most recently a director and the national director of business development
B.E. Smith Adds to Strategic Management Consulting Group
Executive recruiting firm B.E. Smith has added Yolanda Otero Inman to its strategic management consulting group. She will be responsible for the delivery and execution of management consulting solutions. Prior to joining B. E. Smith’s leadership team, Ms. Inman was a consultant and interim leader for the firm for seven years, helping hospitals throughout the
Chief HR Officer Impact on Bottom Line Grows
According to findings from a customer analysis by SuccessFactors, effective talent management is a key driver of business growth. The study, which highlights the importance of having Chief HR Officers (CHROs) on the executive board, identified companies with an HR executive in their C-suite as high performers. These companies are on average 105 percent more
Russell Reynolds Associates Leads CEO Search for Diamond Offshore Drilling
Global executive search and assessment firm Russell Reynolds Associates has been retained by Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. to lead in its search for a new chief executive officer. Lawrence R. Dickerson, current president and CEO, has decided to retire after more than 30 years of service. Diamond Offshore provides contract drilling services to the energy
HireRight Extends International Capabilities
HireRight, a global provider of on-demand employment screening solutions, has expanded its market-leading integrated global screening platform to include 15 new languages. The company has also expanded its talent management integrations. The HireRight global platform has supported English, French and Spanish for many years but now includes 15 additional languages such as simplified Chinese, German
Kincannon & Reed Strengthens South and Central America Operations
Kincannon & Reed has made several moves to strengthen the firm’s capabilities in South and Central America. David Turner, a managing director, has been appointed head of the firm’s Latin America business unit. Joseph Sherman has joined the firm as a managing director in Sao Paulo. Mr. Sherman comes to Kincannon & Reed following a
Ryan Search & Consulting Expands Board of Advisors
Executive recruiter Ryan Search & Consulting has added George Dunbar, an entrepreneur and management consultant in the life sciences arena, to its board of advisors. Mr. Dunbar heads Franklin, Tennessee-based Dunbar Group LLC and is also a partner with Arboretum Ventures, a venture capital firm headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan that specializes in the healthcare
Korn Ferry Retained by CommonWealth REIT
Korn/Ferry International has been retained by CommonWealth REIT (CWH) to help identify potential independent trustee candidates. CommonWealth REIT is a large, nationwide office real estate investment trust. Korn/Ferry International, based in Los Angeles and with a presence throughout the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, is a global provider of talent management
Fairsail to Lead HR Processes for UAS
United Allergy Services (UAS) has selected Fairsail, a leader in global workforce collaboration, to streamline and manage its human resource, human capital management and recruitment processes, bringing together its global team on a single platform. Nic Scott, Fairsail’s chief executive officer, said: “Employee collaboration has been a big focus for us in the past year,
Witt/Kieffer Launches No-For-Profit Practice
Executive search firm Witt/Kieffer has opened a new not-for-profit search practice which will recruit C-level executives for nonprofit organizations across a wide range of sectors, including leading organizations in philanthropy, education reform, community engagement, human services, and specialty education. Wayne Luke will join Witt/Kieffer’s Atlanta office as managing partner of the practice. John Fazekas joins
Greenwich Harbor Partners Completes Search for Dex Media
Greenwich Harbor Partners has placed Suzanne Keen as head of communications at Dex Media. Previously, Ms. Keen held various corporate communications positions with G6 Hospitality (Motel 6 and Studio 6 Extended Stay brands), Brinker International (Chili’s and Maggiano’s brands), FedEx and JC Penney. Dex Media provides local, social and mobile marketing solutions to businesses in
Calibre One Extends Reach in NYC
U.K.-based executive search firm Calibre One has extended its reach into the U.S. Northeast with the promotion Girish Mirchandani, who was previously a partner in the San Francisco office and will now relocate to New York. Since joining Calibre One in 2010, Mr. Mirchandani has expanded his recruiting portfolio placing key executives into Hearst, Aternity,
Job Prospects to Remain Stable in Q4
One in four employers plan to add full-time, permanent headcount in the fourth quarter, relatively unchanged from last year, according to CareerBuilder's latest job forecast. Industries expected to outpace the national average for companies hiring include information technology (36 percent), financial services (32 percent) and manufacturing (30 percent). Hiring among large healthcare organizations is expected
Boyden Adds New Managing Directors
Boyden has added Peter Santora as a managing partner based in Southern California and Paul Moran as a managing partner in Boston. Mr. Santora will direct his efforts on strengthening market-focused client services for the West Coast, including but not limited to California, Nevada, Arizona and Hawaii. He previously was a senior client partner and
Cejka Executive Search Retained by Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute
Cejka Executive Search has been chosen by Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute – MSK Cancer Alliance to lead in its search for a new physician-in-chief. The physician-in-chief will oversee and facilitate this distinctive clinical and research partnership built to rapidly move innovative evidence-based cancer care into the community setting and enable bi-directive learning across the institutions.
Jibe Unveils New Recruiting Analytics Tool
Jibe, Inc., a provider of recruiting technology solutions, has launched Jibe Recruiting Analytics, developed to provide real-time strategic insight into hiring practices. The system features an event-based analytic engine that tracks every interaction a job seeker, or candidate, has with a prospective employer. “We keep hearing the term ‘big data’ used in recruiting and HR,
Ultimate Software Selected by AETNA
Ultimate Software, a provider of HR, payroll, and talent management solutions, has confirmed that Aetna has selected UltiPro for its core HR information system solution delivered through Ultimate’s software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform. Aetna will use UltiPro to handle global core HR administration; U.S. payroll administration; global payroll support; integrated time and attendance management; and HR reporting.
RSR Partners Appoints CEO
RSR Partners, a corporate governance and executive search firm, has appointed Barrett J. Stephens as its chief executive officer. Founded in 1993 by recruiting industry veteran Russell S. Reynolds Jr., RSR Partners is owned by its partners and employees. Mr. Reynolds plans to remain involved with the firm on a full-time basis as chairman and
Kaye/Bassman Recruits President for Manhattan Construction Company
Kaye/Bassman International Corp. has placed John Reyhan as president of the Manhattan Construction Company. Mr. Reyhan previously worked for Skanska USA since 1998, where he has held a succession of leadership roles. He has led the business units for sports, higher education, and federal market sectors, and has served as general manager for the company’s
Pontoon Names President, APAC
Pontoon, a global leader in workforce solutions, has named Rishi Kapoor as president, APAC. Mr. Kapoor will be responsible for driving sales and operational delivery for Pontoon across India, China, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australasia and the broader Asia region. He has over 15 years of sales and marketing experience across diverse industry sectors including
Korn Ferry Partners with Career Connections
Korn/Ferry International has formed a partnership with Career Connections, a talent consulting firm in East Africa. The new alliance has been created to improve both firms’ ability to deliver recruiting services and talent consulting in Africa and for African headquartered clients internationally. “This alliance will allow Korn/Ferry to more successfully serve our global clients in
Executive Hiring Prospects Remain High
Executive hiring prospects remain high with about 59 percent of employers selectively or significantly increasing executive hiring for the balance of 2013 and 2014 according to Claymore Partners‘ Executive Talent Market Survey. The outlook expressed by unemployed executives is also significantly less optimistic than employed executives and is consistent with their perspectives in January 2013.
Lonergan Partners Finds CMO for Talari Networks
Executive search firm Lonergan Partners has placed Kevin Gavin as chief marketing officer of Talari Networks. The search was lead by Mark Lonergan. Mr. Gavin previously served as CMO of ShoreTel. “Kevin is one of the world’s best technology marketing executives. He has special skills in building and supporting channel networks for companies like Talari,”
eQuest Continues to Grow Big Data Recruitment Suite
eQuest, a job posting distribution and job posting management provider, has accumulated another 50 million job board and social media candidate performance records making its database the largest candidate performance collective in the world. eQuest collects and stores these statistics as part of its Big Data Recruitment Suite. The data is used to calculate and
IIC Partners Appoints New Executive Director
IIC Partners has appointed Christine Hayward as its new executive director. Ms. Hayward previously served as the managing director, Asia Pacific, Middle East and emerging markets at the Association of Executive Search Consultants (AESC). Ms. Hayward stated: “I am delighted to be joining IIC Partners as its executive director. I look forward to being able
