Raines International Appoints Aerospace, Defense and Government Services Practice Co-Leader
December 10, 2020 – New York-based Raines International has named Mercedes LeGrand as managing director and co-leader of the firm’s aerospace, defense and government services practice. Based in Washington, D.C., she will co-lead the practice with Patrick Gray, who formerly led the aerospace and defense practice at Heidrick & Struggles. Mr. Gray joined Raines in March. “Mercedes is an extremely driven professional with significant aerospace and defense industry experience, and she will add tremendous value to our firm,” said Mr. Gray. “Her expertise and her passion for difference making will help propel our clients forward now and in the future.”
Ms. LeGrand previously led Russell Reynolds Associates’ aviation, aerospace, and defense practice. She also served as a member of the technology officers and digital transformation practices from 2016 to 2020. She focused primarily on aerospace and defense, defense-related technology companies, and associated market and leadership trends.
Ms. LeGrand was formerly a managing partner at Watermark Strategic Advisors, where she directed a group of technology, government industry, finance and management experts, connecting new technology companies with federal government buyers across the security, defense, and intelligence sectors. From 2006 to 2008, Ms. LeGrand served as acting director of strategic planning for a major new directorate within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, while working as a consultant with Booz Allen Hamilton.
Founded in 1969, Raines International conducts global searches for C-suite executives and their direct reports. With expertise in all major industry sectors and functional areas, its client base includes privately held companies, publicly held corporations, leading private equity and venture capital firms, and not-for-profits. The firm operates in New York City; Minneapolis; Boston; San Francisco; Dallas; Chicago; Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia; and Buenos Aires.
Recent Growth
Raines recently named Lisa Mann as managing director and chief marketing officer. Ms. Mann leads Raines’ consumer practice, which includes consumer packaged goods, retail and e-commerce/direct-to-consumer, while also serving as the firm’s first CMO. “We are confident that Raines is the definitive difference maker and leader in executive talent management, and we are incredibly proud to welcome Lisa to our team,” said Dan Smith, CEO of Raines. “Her experience is unparalleled, and her vision and track record for building businesses is inspiring. These past few months have shown us that the speed of change in business is increasing. We provide our clients a level of talent-advisory-through-execution services that is unmatched.”
In July, Raines expanded with the addition of Engy Lamour as senior vice president of its asset management practice. Based in New York City, Mr. Lamour has more than 10 years of experience in the asset management and alternative investments industry and is recognized for his extensive subject matter expertise and vast executive network.
Raines International Launches Security Officers Practice
Raines International launched a new security officers practice, co-developed with The Lake Forest Group, a strategic security services firm specializing in all aspects of security, safety, and compliance. The practice will be led by Patrick Gray, managing director at Raines. His background in the executive search industry and as an intelligence officer, with a concentration on mission critical functions and market sectors, “are unique assets for clients seeking to elevate their security strategy and infrastructure,” the firm said.
As a member of Raines’ financial services executive search team, Mr. Lamour focuses primarily on clients in the hedge fund, private equity, real estate investment and venture capital sectors. “A champion of diversity and inclusion, Engy is a proven difference maker for clients seeking more diverse leadership teams that lead in their market areas,” the firm said.
In March, Raines opened a new office in Chicago led by SVP Bryan Burg. Mr. Smith said the firm is committed to expanding business both in the industrials sector as well as in the Midwest. “We have done high-level assignments in a variety of industries across the Midwest, and we see significant opportunity to grow our team in that market,” he said. “In Bryan, we have found the perfect example of our culture and work product. He is a fantastic executive and foundation for us to build upon in Chicago.”
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
