The University of Alabama System Taps ZRG for President Search
November 12, 2025 – Academic institutions continue to pump big fees into executive search firms nationwide. Many academic recruiting specialists say business, in fact, has never been better despite some sectors of executive search slowing over the past year. Even smaller recruiting outfits have multiple assignments running concurrently, all at the senior levels, and if there’s any slowdown coming it is to be found at the talent identification stage. With so much activity, it seems, talent demand is far outstripping the supply. The hunt for interim academic leadership is also picking up pace.
In recent months, a number of top schools have announced they are looking for new, high-profile leaders to take them into new eras of fundraising, digitalization, sports and, in some cases, globalization. And like many sectors, talent shortages have made it difficult to place senior executives in a timely manner. In addition, several universities haven’t changed leaders in years or even decades, and their boards of trustees and search committees are finding an entirely new and highly competitive landscape as they set out. It’s another good reason why they’re calling in executive search firms to help out.
The University of Alabama System just launched a national search for the next president of The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH). To support the search, the UA System has engaged executive search consultants Lori Hemmer and Barry Vines of ZRG, a global talent firm with a dedicated education practice. The UA System noted that ZRG brings deep experience and insight to this national search, with over 2,100 searches completed for more than 300 educational institutions across the country. Mr. Vines previously partnered with UAH in the successful search that led to the appointment of former president Robert Altenkirch.
“UAH is a premier research university on the rise and located in one of the most dynamic cities in the nation, making this presidency an incredibly attractive opportunity for a visionary leader,” said UA System board of trustees president Pro Tempore Scott Phelps. “I am confident this search will result in an outstanding president eager to further elevate UAH. This search is of the highest priority, and I want to thank the members of the search advisory committee for their service.”
A presidential search advisory committee has been appointed and will play an important role in the search process by soliciting input from stakeholders, developing the presidential profile and position criteria, and recruiting and assessing candidates. All members of the UAH community will have opportunities to provide input on the characteristics and qualifications they believe are essential for the next president.
Related: How to Engage Candidates in an Evolving Higher Education Landscape
The UAH presidential search advisory committee is composed of representatives from UAH’s faculty, students, administration, alumni, and the local community, as well as members of the board of trustees and UA System leadership. Trustee Evelyn VanSant Mauldin, a north Alabama native and member of the board, will chair the committee.
Partnering with an Executive Search Firm to Recruit Higher Education Leaders
Executive search consultants continue to tell Hunt Scanlon Media that the competition for superior, senior leadership talent is fierce. With the general shortage of executive talent, exacerbated by the pandemic, higher education institutions appear highly motivated to retain effective current leaders making counteroffers more prevalent than ever, and in some instances, extreme in their composition and amount, according to a recent report from Buffkin / Baker’s Ken Carrick. “As with students, it is likely less expensive to retain the talented leaders currently on board as opposed to recruiting new leaders,” he says.
With this competition for talent, professional, relationship, and advisory-oriented search firms that represent the institution can be valuable partners to boards and search committees, the Buffkin / Baker report explains. “An executive search firm brings an experienced team of professionals to deliver the talent an institution needs,” it said. “Search professionals are experts in their field and can apply years of experience and knowledge to identify and recruit the best candidates.”
“As a lifelong resident of this region and a proud supporter of UAH, I am honored to lead this important process,” said Ms. Mauldin. “UAH plays a critical role in our state by providing high-quality education, fueling research and innovation, and driving economic growth. The university is on a strong upward trajectory, and we look forward to identifying a transformational leader who will build on that momentum and steer UAH into its next chapter.”
Virtual Listening Sessions
The UAH presidential search advisory committee will hold virtual listening sessions for campus community members and university supporters to share feedback and comments on characteristics, qualifications and credentials they believe are essential for the next president of UAH. The committee will host one-hour listening sessions focused on faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the local community, and will ask participants to respond to a series of questions and prompts.
Related: Finding Senior Leaders for Higher Education Institutions
Upon the completion of the search, UA System chancellor Sid J. Trant will recommend a final presidential candidate to the board of trustees for approval.
ZRG, founded in 1999, is a fast-growing global talent advisory firm with the financial backing of private equity investor RFE Investment Partners. It provides a full suite of executive, middle management, and customized search solutions through its offices in North America, Europe, South America, and Asia. The firm finds leaders across a broad spectrum of business markets, including aerospace, consumer, education, healthcare services, and solutions, industrial, life sciences, non-profit, private equity and venture capital, and technology. ZRG is based in Rochelle Park, NJ.
Dedicated Education Practice
ZRG’s dedicated education practice is comprised of a team of seasoned executives who have represented educational institutions throughout the United States. Collectively, they have represented 300+ educational clients and successfully completed more than 2,100 searches within the past 10 years. ZRG has longstanding relationships with public and private colleges, universities, districts, and systems of all sizes.
Ms. Hemmer, principal, brings 14 years of expertise in higher education administration and academic medicine. With extensive experience in executive searches for college and university presidents, chancellors, senior administrators, and leaders within academic medicine and healthcare, she is particularly focused on navigating leadership transitions and driving organizational success following executive placements.
Mr. Vines serves as a managing director in the firm’s Atlanta office and is a senior member of the global healthcare services & solutions practice. Additionally, he is a senior member of ZRG’s higher education practice. With deep roots in the higher education, healthcare, and academic medicine sectors, he brings a unique background to each search he undertakes.
Related: The High Demand for Higher Education Leaders Continues
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
