Witt/Kieffer Launches Board Services Practice

April 16, 2012 – Executive search firm Witt/Kieffer has launched a board services practice and named James W. Gauss as its head. Mr. Gauss brings more than 30 years of experience in advising trustees and board members and identifying leaders in the healthcare, insurance, academic and other industries. As chairman of board services, he will use his relationships, experience and expertise to develop a practice that leverages Witt/Kieffer’s specialized knowledge in healthcare, insurance, life sciences companies, academic institutions and related organizations. The practice will focus on recruiting board members as well as providing succession planning and leadership development for governing boards. “Healthcare, life sciences and academic board members face more and more complex challenges in today’s environment due to increasing regulation, intense scrutiny on costs and a volatile economy, among other factors,” said Charles Wardell III, Witt/Kieffer president and CEO. “The board room of the future will demand that directors and trustees not only have more sophisticated skills and far-reaching experience, but also that they have a plan in place to develop existing and nurture prospective board members.”