The Hunter Group Finds CFO for Kenwal Steel

January 30, 2019 – The Hunter Group, a Bloomfield Hills, MI-headquartered executive search firm, has placed Laura Kowalchik as the new CFO of Kenwal Steel Corp. She replaces Frank Jerneycic, who retired from Kenwal in December.

“Laura brings an excellent, well-rounded set of experiences to Kenwal with her global automotive and industrial finance, and accounting leadership skills,” said Kenneth Eisenberg, chairman of Kenwal Steel. “Her contributions and insight will help us continue the growth we have enjoyed well into the future.”

Ms. Kowalchik brings deep global automotive, industrial finance and accounting leadership to Kenwal. She most recently served as CFO of Urban Science, a Detroit-based global automotive retail consultancy. She previously served as vice president, corporate controller and chief accounting officer of Ann Arbor-based bearing supplier, Kaydon Corp., and Dura Automotive Systems in Auburn Hills, where she held the same title.

“Laura’s strategic planning and analytic abilities are a phenomenal addition to our leadership team,” said Stephen Eisenberg, president of Kenwal Steel Corp. – Burns Harbor. “We are excited to welcome her to Kenwal.”

Kenwal Steel Corp. operates as a steel processing center that provides flat-rolled steel products and services. Its products include hot and cold rolled, and galvanized, galvanealed, electro galvanized, and aluminized coated products. The company, which was founded in 1947, is based in Dearborn, MI.

Veteran Consultants

The Hunter Group, established in 1995, is a provider of executive search services for clients worldwide. It identifies and recruits executives and professionals in a variety of fields including engineering, sales &marketing, manufacturing/operations, quality and supply chain management. The firm is led by partners Blaire Miller and Sherry Muir Irwin.

Ms. Miller has over 30 years of experience in global finance/accounting, high tech/advanced manufacturing and executive recruiting. Her areas of expertise include corporate and non-profit positions, across finance/accounting, engineering, business development, operations and administrative functions.

Ms. Muir Irwin has nearly 30 years of search and recruiting experience with over 40 years of cumulative experience in the field of human resources. Her areas of expertise include engineering, manufacturing, sales/business development and supply chain management with strong focus on the automotive supply base.

Finding CFOs

CFOs continue to be in high demand. Finding them is keeping many of the nation’s top recruitment operations busier than ever. In recent months, search firms of all varieties have placed CFOs at various companies. Here’s a look at a few from the Hunt Scanlon Media archives:

Caldwell recruited Matt Hibbard as the new CFO of Lifesize, a global provider of video collaboration and meeting productivity solutions. Managing partner Mercedes Chatfield-Taylor led the assignment. Mr. Hibbard brings more than 20 years of financial leadership experience scaling VC-backed technology companies, including two successful IPOs, raising and structuring various financings.

The Lancer Group, a La Jolla, CA-headquartered executive search firm, recently placed John Pence as CFO of Beneplace, a leading provider of voluntary benefits to Fortune 1000 companies and government institutions. The assignment was led by Scott Dunklee, partner; Dashan Subramaniam, consultant; and Liliana Corona, who is in charge of marketing and business development. Most recently, Mr. Pence served as chief operating officer and CFO at Mobi.

Recently, executive search firm Polachi Inc. placed Jeff Driskill as the new CFO of Analytic Partners. Mr. Driskill has more than 20 years of experience in global finance. Over the span of his career, he has facilitated acquisitions with Serious Eats and Tapad, taken the New York Mercantile Exchange from a domestic to a global company, and has driven millions in equity & debt financing.

Greenwich, CT-based executive recruiting firm Ignite Search Partners recently recruited Angus Smith as the new CFO of NASDAQ-traded Rockwell Medical Inc. in Wixom, MI. Mr. Smith joins Rockwell Medical from Pernix Therapeutics, a specialty pharmaceutical company.

Acertitude has placed Stacie Wolf as the new CFO of Binary Tree, a worldwide leader in enterprise digital IT transformations. Senior partner Scott Carberry headed the search, recruiting Mr. Wolf in 60 days. Previously, she was CFO of 1Insurer, a software and outsourcing insurance services provider that was acquired by the Carlyle Group. 

Ontario-headquartered executive search firm the Verriez Group recently recruited Amy Butler as CFO for Farm Mutual Re, Canada’s first completely Canadian-owned reinsurance company. Brent Verriez and Paul Verriez led the search. “We engaged the Verriez Group to conduct a CFO search on…

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