WittKieffer Names Board Services Practice Leader
May 28, 2020 – Executive search firm WittKieffer has appointed James King as leader of its board services practice. In addition to his new role, Mr. King serves as a senior partner and the firm’s chief quality officer, a board member and member of its diversity council.
“Today’s business landscape has been severely altered as a result of COVID-19, leaving even the most seasoned boards questioning traditional governance practices and wondering if their members have the skills and abilities to thrive in an uncertain future,” WittKieffer said. “Mr. King’s versatility and experience make him well-equipped to drive this specialty area by providing boards with the right member recruiting and leadership solutions to steer their organization through this time of immense transformation.”
“Now more than ever, governing boards must recruit and develop strong leaders to overcome complex challenges, beginning with managing the impacts and after-effects of COVID-19,” said Andrew Chastain, president and CEO. “I’m confident that the leadership of Jim King, coupled with the depth of our firm’s experience, will help boards identify leaders capable of making an immediate impact and bringing about future success even in the most difficult of times.”
WittKieffer’s board services practice leverages the firm’s 50-plus years of experience and industry insights to match governing boards with leaders who can ensure continued success, and to provide services like structured onboarding and programs for trustee development. The WittKieffer team works in partnership with boards of large companies, hospitals, health systems, major foundations, colleges and universities, medical schools, insurance companies and other essential organizations. Under Mr. King’s leadership, consultants in the board services practice work closely with governing bodies to create a custom approach for every search, drawing upon WittKieffer’s breadth of expertise on issues such as promoting diversity, developing leadership and planning board succession.
Mr. King has been with WittKieffer since 2001 and brings over 25 years of healthcare leadership experience to his new role. Previously, he served as vice president of governance and organizational research for Texas Health Resources in Arlington, TX, one of the largest faith-based, not-for-profit healthcare systems in the U.S.
Seasoned Search Consultants
WittKieffer, based in Oak Brook, IL, assists hospitals, health systems, academic medical centers, medical schools and physician groups; biotech, pharmaceutical, diagnostics and medical device companies; colleges and universities and not-for-profit community service and cultural organizations with senior administrative recruiting assignments. With more than 100 search professionals nationwide, its consultants recruit CEOs, CFOs, COOs, CNOs, physician executives and other leaders.
Witt/ Kieffer Named to Hunt Scanlon Top 50 Roster
Witt/ Kieffer was recognized as one of the leading academic search specialists on Hunt Scanlon Media’s “Top 50 Non-Profit/Higher Education Search Firms” list. It is the first-ever roundup of leading recruiters across both sectors. Check out these top 50 trailblazers.
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WittKieffer recently added former Stony Brook University vice president Greg Duyck as a principal in its education practice. “We are very excited to bring Greg’s energy and success in executive recruitment to WittKieffer,” said Zachary Smith, managing partner of WittKieffer’s education practice. “His administrative experience with colleges and universities as well as a broad mix of other organizations gives him unique insight into today’s executive talent challenges. He will serve the evolving needs of our clients well and be an integral part of our expanding consulting team.”
WittKieffer’s education recruitment team identifies higher education and college preparatory school leaders who understand complex issues facing both public and private institutions: resource constraints, shifting national policy and increased scrutiny by boards, faculty, students and families. The education roles it recruits include presidents, provosts, deans, and officers for business and finance, advancement and development, student affairs, enrollment, IT and more.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
