SearchWide Global Seeking CEO for the Alaska Raptor Rehabilitation Center
April 21, 2025 – SearchWide Global was recently retained by the Alaska Raptor Rehabilitation Center to lead in its search for a new executive director. Nicole Newman, global head of destinations, is leading the assignment. The executive director is responsible for the overall strategic direction, leadership, and management of the Alaska Raptor Center’s (ARC) multi-faceted programs and business operations. The position reports and is accountable to the board of directors. The executive director will be a collaborative and visionary leader who strengthens ARC’s mission through outreach activities, development, and implementation of strategic plans, programs, and partnerships.
SearchWide Global is looking for candidates with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, concentrating in business, tourism, marketing, organizational leadership, or related field. Candidates should have five years of progressively more responsible management/leadership or a combination of both. They must have experience administering a complex, multi-source budget and strategically maximizing resources. Demonstrated experience developing high-performing teams, achieving strategic goals, and working in collaboration with a board of directors is also desired. Experience with leading resource development efforts to strengthen an organization’s funding base in partnership with the board is preferred.
The Alaska Raptor Center provides medical treatment to approximately 200 injured birds each year. Although they specialize in raptors, we will aid any wild bird in need. The organization strives to heal, rehabilitate, and release all of its avian patients, however, some are injured too severely to fully recover and survive in the wild. These non-releasable birds may join its raptors-in-residence team, helping ARC teach the public and schoolchildren about the raptor natural history and the habitats in which they live. The mission of the Alaska Raptor Center is to promote and enhance wild populations of raptors and other avian species through rehabilitation, education, and research.
SearchWide Global, based in St. Paul, MN, is a full-service executive recruitment firm primarily for companies in the travel, tourism, hospitality, convention, trade association, venue management, and experiential marketing industries. The firm specializes in C-level and director-level executive searches for companies ranging in size from Fortune 500 corporations to mid-sized public and private companies and associations.
Ms. Newman works in all sectors of the hospitality and travel industry. Her experience in group sales, catering, and event planning, according to clients, gives her a unique perspective on executive level recruitment.
Visit Greensboro Search
SearchWide Global was also recently selected by Visit Greensboro to find a new president and CEO. Andrea Christopherson, global head of experiential, tradeshows, events and venues, is leading the assignment. The firm is seeking an energetic, open, team-oriented leader. The Greensboro Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is an independent, non-profit governmental authority whose mission is to aggressively market Greensboro’s assets, maximizing economic impact while providing excellent visitor service.
The president and CEO serves as the chief executive for the Greensboro Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and reports to the board of directors. The role requires a highly experienced sales and marketing strategist with strong leadership ability, management skills, and business acumen. The CEO holds responsibility for overall organizational leadership and implementation of the board’s long-term strategic direction. This includes establishing the organizational structure and building high-performing teams aligned with the mission.
SearchWide Global Recruits CEO for Explore St. Louis
SearchWide Global has assisted in the recruitment of Brad Dean as the new president and CEO of Explore St. Louis. Executive vice president Mark Gnatovic led the assignment. “Brad Dean is a highly respected leader in destination marketing with a proven record of driving growth and innovation,” said Mike Gamble, chairman, CEO, and co-founder of Searchwide Global. “His expertise positions him well to advance Explore St. Louis’ mission and future goals.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Brad to Explore St. Louis,” said Steve O’Loughlin, chairman of the board of commission. “Brad’s impressive track record of success in destination marketing and his deep understanding of the tourism and convention industry make him the ideal leader to take Explore St. Louis to the next level. His experience will be invaluable as we continue to promote our city, attract new visitors, and drive economic growth.”
Ms. Christopherson specializes in executive search for C-level and director level professionals as well as business development in the experiential event marketing segment along with the tradeshow and convention industries. Her previous experience at a SaaS company focused on leadership development, her experience in hospitality, and her skills in business strategy, organizational effectiveness, change management, and talent acquisition bring a unique perspective to executive search and organizational strategy.
Related: SearchWide Global Assists Big Sky Chamber of Commerce and Visit Big Sky in CEO Search
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
