TillmanPartners Leads CFO Search for Coker Tire
September 10, 2019 – CFOs continue to be in high demand. Finding them is keeping many of the nation’s top recruitment operations busier than ever. Recently, Scottsdale, AZ-based search firm TillmanPartners was selected by Coker Tire Co. and Irving Place Capital (IPC) to recruit a new CFO for Coker. Based in Chattanooga, TN, Coker is the largest worldwide manufacturer and supplier of tires and wheels for classic cars.
“Coker’s CEO, Wade Kawasaki, is an outstanding CEO with a great reputation and stature in the industry as the chairman of the Specialty Equipment Market Association,” said Rob Tillman, CEO of TillmanPartners. “Recognizing a tremendous opportunity to partner with Wade and Coker, IPC acquired the business this past year to leverage Coker’s market leadership position and drive an acquisition strategy in the highly fragmented automotive aftermarket.”
Founded in 2008 and based in New York City, IPC has invested in over 60 portfolio companies primarily in the retail and consumer, industrial and packaging sectors. Dating back to 1997 when IPC founder John Howard established Bears Stearns Merchant Banking, Mr. Howard recruited a team of private equity and operational professionals to join him in building a firm based on the belief that investment decisions should be driven by what is in the best, long-term interests of the portfolio companies.
Recruiting CFOs and CIOs
TillmanPartners was launched in March to provide executive search, integrated coaching and one-on-one coaching, specializing in CFOs and CIOs. “I’ve been blessed to serve hundreds of leaders over the last three decades, and my focus on recruiting and coaching CFOs and CIOs is totally unique in the market today,” said Mr. Tillman. “Launching TillmanPartners allows me to serve an exclusive group of clients with no off-limits conflicts, a vibrant network and the added capabilities to assist in onboarding and coaching key leaders.”
Mr. Tillman previously founded the executive search boutique TillmanCarlson. He served as CEO of the Chicago-based firm for 16 years, recruiting over 200 CFOs and CIOs and achieving impressive completion and stick rates of 95 percent and 98 percent, respectively. He began his career in search with Russell Reynolds Associates and then served as managing partner of Crist Partners, leading the firm through its successful sale to Korn Ferry. Mr. Tillman is a certified executive coach, having completed his certification at the Hudson Institute of Coaching. He is also certified in the Hogan Assessments.
Finding CFOs
CFOs continue to be in high demand. In recent months, search firms of all varieties have placed CFOs at various companies. Here’s a look at some from the Hunt Scanlon Media archives:
True Search placed former Assurant executive Gregg D. Bien as the new CFO of wireless technology company Starry Inc. Partners Rick Bank and Rick Faubert led the assignment. Mr. Bien has three decades of experience in senior financial leadership roles. Previously, he was CFO of Assurant.
ClearPath Solutions placed former BJ’s Restaurant executive Shea Bodet as the new CFO of restaurant chain Café Rio Mexican Grill. Ms. Bodet is an energetic and value-add financial planning and analysis executive in the restaurant/hospitality industry with over 18 years of experience in both accounting and corporate strategic finance functions.
Catholic liberal arts school Saint Joseph’s College has chosen higher education-focused executive recruitment Hyatt-Fennell to lead its search for a new chief business and finance officer. Saint Joseph’s College, located in Standish, ME, wants a creative, strategic, collegial and entrepreneurial administrator who values transparency and shared governance, said Hyatt-Fennell.
Caldwell recruited Matt Hibbard as the new CFO of Lifesize, a global provider of video collaboration and meeting productivity solutions. 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. 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 and 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.
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
