The Energists Appoints Partner
January 8, 2026 – Houston-based The Energists has named Sheharyar Khan as partner. He will work closely with clients across North America, Europe, and the Middle East. “Sheharyar represents exactly the kind of forward-looking leadership our clients expect from us,” said Jon Hill, managing partner. “His analytical discipline, technical fluency, and client-side pragmatism, strengthened by his time at PwC, make him an effective advisor to organizations seeking executives who can deliver clarity and impact in complex environments. His addition strengthens the firm’s technical, analytical, and operational advisory capabilities at a time when clients are navigating unprecedented transformation across traditional and emerging energy markets.”
Mr. Khan has a multidisciplinary background spanning recruitment, training & development, strategy development, technology, economic modeling, and quality management. His experience includes hands-on engineering research, financial assessment of projects, and rigorous process design within regulated environments, all of which align directly with The Energists’ evidence-based, ISO-driven approach to executive search.
Mr. Khan brings more than two decades of global leadership experience across energy, industrial, and technology-driven organizations. His background spans operations, commercial strategy, M&A, engineering, manufacturing, and organizational transformation, including senior leadership roles with Baker Hughes, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Sensia (Schlumberger–Rockwell Automation joint venture), and Schlumberger. In these roles, he led complex due diligence, go-to-market initiatives, and operational excellence programs for global corporate and private equity firms.
At The Energists, Mr. Khan will focus on expanding the firm’s capabilities across all forms of energy, engineered systems, and next-generation technology markets. His background in applied research, modeling, and cross-functional collaboration positions him to support clients seeking support translating business objectives to real world results.
This leadership update follows the departure of former partner Elizabeth Linhart, who has left the firm to pursue other opportunities.
“Our clients rely on us for precision, insight, and market-ready guidance,” Mr. Hill added. “Sheharyar’s appointment strengthens our ability to deliver that standard across every engagement.”
The Energists is a boutique executive search firm focused on the energy sector. Its client list is diverse across the energy industry, geographies, and business scenarios. A boutique, high integrity firm established in 1979, The Energists operates exclusively within the energy industry. Its staff comprises accomplished industry professionals and leaders, each with their own area of expertise.
Related: The Energists Expands to Dallas
Since inception, The Energists has developed a reputation for identifying and recruiting high impact technical and leadership talent for notable organizations within the energy domain. They are focused on the talent needs within the sector including power and utilities (conventional, renewable, and storage); upstream, midstream, and downstream oil & gas; oilfield services and equipment (OFSE), consulting (EPCs), transportation (air/land/sea – multi-modal), investment banking, and non-bank financial services including private equity and debt (RBL/ABL).
New Service for the Energy Sector
The Energists recently launched Tall Trees Talent, a contingent recruitment service designed to address the evolving needs of the energy sector. The services was designed to exemplify The Energists’ commitment to offering comprehensive hiring solutions, complementing the firm’s executive search capabilities.
The Select Guide to America’s Top 250 Executive Search Firms
Hunt Scanlon Media proudly presents the Select Guide to America’s Top 250 Executive Search Firms.
This comprehensive online directory is your definitive resource for finding the best executive search firms to serve your talent needs.
Our guide is meticulously curated to connect you with leading firms that specialize in various industries and functions, ensuring you find the perfect match for your executive recruitment needs.
“Tall Trees Talent reflects our dedication to meeting the dynamic challenges of the energy sector,” said Mr. Hill. “This service enables us to offer scalable, customized recruitment solutions that seamlessly align with our executive search offerings, ensuring that our clients’ talent needs are met at every organizational level.”
Building on decades of expertise in the global energy sector, Tall Trees Talent is tailored to support organizations in identifying, evaluating and hiring senior professionals for pivotal roles below the executive level. With a shared back office, this new service leverages The Energists’ industry knowledge and network. “It was nice to get things off the ground with several new clients when we piloted in December last year.” said Ken Nelson, senior consultant at Tall Trees Talent. Since then, we have taken on mandates from existing Energists clients, for roles that would not have been supported before now.”
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
