The Alexander Group Finds New COO for Prostate Cancer Foundation
September 12, 2018 – Houston-based executive search firm Alexander Group has placed Christine Jones as the new chief operating officer of the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF). Managing director and founder Jane S. Howze led the assignment.
“Christine’s executive leadership credentials and proven capabilities will positively impact PCF’s future initiatives which include bringing precision oncology to the global community of men with prostate cancer along with their family, friends and loved ones,” said Jonathan W. Simons, president and CEO of the Prostate Cancer Foundation. “I look forward to collaborating with Christine as we work toward accelerating our ability to fund research that leads to treatments and cures.”
Ms. Jones is the former executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary for Go Daddy Operating Co. She has also served as CEO of Great Hearts Academies, the largest provider of K-12 classical, liberal arts education in the nation. In 2014, she made a competitive bid for the GOP nomination for governor of Arizona, finishing third in a six-way primary race.
Ms. Jones formerly worked for a Phoenix law firm focusing primarily on commercial litigation. Before that, she served as a law clerk with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, where she spent time in a variety of departments, including the Compton Special Investigations and Hardcore Gang divisions. Prior to entering the practice of law, Ms. Jones was a certified public accountant for several national and international banks in both retail and commercial banking.
New Role
In her position with the Prostate Cancer Foundation, Ms. Jones will contribute to the strategic growth of the organization through the development of new business opportunities and the establishment of stronger corporate alliances. She will also oversee the Prostate Cancer Foundation’s daily operations and initiatives to help the organization achieve its mission to accelerate research for better treatments and cures.
“I am honored to assume this role at PCF, the world’s premier foundation funding prostate cancer research led by Dr. Simons, a physician-scientist, medical oncologist and an internationally recognized leader in prostate cancer research,” Ms. Jones said. “This is an exciting moment to join the team which has made more of an impact on this cancer than any other organization.
The Prostate Cancer Foundation is the world’s leading philanthropic organization funding and accelerating prostate cancer research. Founded in 1993, it has raised upwards of $755 million and provided funding to more than 2,000 research programs at over 200 cancer centers and universities.
Veteran Recruiters
The Alexander Group is an executive search firm focused on C-suite executive- and board-level searches. For more than 30 years, the firm has focused on executive recruiting and consulting assignments for a wide range of clients including multinational corporations, professional services firms and non-profit organizations worldwide. It has offices in Houston, London, New York, San Diego, San Francisco and Park City, UT.
Ms. Howze has more than 30 years of experience in executive search. She has recruited executives worldwide in banking, energy, manufacturing, legal and professional services. She directs board searches for the firm and is actively involved in the firm’s diversity practice. Prior to forming the Alexander Group, she worked for Korn Ferry in Houston.
Jeff Early recently joined the Alexander Group as managing director with responsibility for business development, firm strategy and operations, and as a consultant on C-suite and board of director searches. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Early was Texas president of Chicago-based Northern Trust, a global leader of wealth management solutions for corporations, institutional investors and high net worth individuals.
“Some of the most successful executive search consultants have come from the financial services industry,” said Ms. Howze. “Jeff has been a trusted adviser to business owners and executives for 40 years, and now he brings that perspective and wisdom to our firm and its clients.”
Mr. Early said he has known the two principals, Jane Howze and John Lamar, for some time. “I first retained the Alexander Group in 1994 to help develop Northern Trust’s leadership team in Texas,” he said. “Over the years, the firm conducted numerous searches for me, and I experienced first-hand the value they bring to each engagement. It’s a firm with which I am proud to be associated.”
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Andrew W. Mitchell, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
