Wray Executive Search Appoints VP of Recruiting
February 21, 2025 – The restaurant and foodservice industry is experiencing a dynamic shift as it continues to recover from pandemic-related disruptions while adapting to evolving consumer behaviors. Wray Executive Search, a provider of executive search and advisory services in the restaurant, foodservice, retail, and franchise industries, has named Monica de la Nuez as vice president of recruiting. “We pride ourselves in recruiting superstars for our clients and history proves we have done this well,” the firm said. “It is with great excitement and pride that we introduce to you the newest recruit to the Wray Executive Search team: Monica de la Nuez. Monica is passionate about assisting her clients in recruiting top talent for even the most difficult searches. Her ability to connect with professionals, fostering rapport and developing positive relationships, has assisted in a successful career with hundreds of placements.”
Ms. de la Nuez helps companies recruit senior talent including C-level, vice presidents and directors for both domestic and international entities. She has worked in executive talent management for over 17 years and is experienced supporting executive search in a variety of industries including restaurants, retail, hospitality, facility maintenance, and software development.
Before joining Wray Executive Search, Ms. de la Nuez worked as a talent acquisition specialist at Lutheran Services Florida and as a recruiting coordinator at MaintenX. She also spent several years at AmeriLife, where she held multiple roles, including division recruiter and corporate recruiter, focusing on the Central Florida market.
Additionally, Ms. de la Nuez served as a human resources manager at America’s Auction Network and an HR & office manager at Cinema Equipment and Supplies, where she played a key role in policy development, training, and company expansion. Earlier in her career, she held leadership positions in HR and recruiting at CARE Medical Group, iDEAL Personnel Services, Gap Inc., and Target.
Serving the Restaurant, Foodservice, Retail, and Franchise Industries
For 50 years Wray Executive Search has provided executive search and advisory services, recruiting leadership teams for many of the nation’s top restaurant, foodservice, hospitality, franchise, and retail companies. Wray is a purpose-driven executive search firm and human capital advisory, specializing in C-level, senior executive and functional leadership search. The firm is headquartered in St. Petersburg, FL.
Executive Search in 2024: Challenges, Trends, and Hopes for a Hiring Resurgence in 2025
For many search firms in almost all industry segments, 2024 has been a tough year. There are many reasons for the recent downturn, and some firms have experienced a dip in revenues for even longer, according to Tim Tolan, founder, chairman, and managing partner of The Tolan Group. “Lots of changes are on the horizon for 2025 on the hiring front, and search firms are waiting with bated breath while hiring decisions are on hold, and draft fee agreements are (still) sitting in DocuSign waiting to be signed,” he said. “Decisions are dragging, as are active search engagements, as hiring managers and leaders struggle to make hiring decisions in the environment, we are all trying to navigate.”
In the Hunt Scanlon 2024 Executive Recruiting State of the Industry Report, the numbers reflected a double-digit downturn in demand for executive recruiting, with the private equity sector being the most affected. “We’ve seen and experienced that firsthand, but we feel positive changes are on the horizon,” Mr. Tolan said.
Bob Gershberg is CEO and managing partner of Wray. He has been a driving force behind the brand for over a decade. Mr. Gershberg joined the company in 2004 as executive vice president to help lead the growth of the boutique search firm. In 2005, he became a partner, and in 2009, he was named CEO and managing partner. Mr. Gershberg specializes in searches for C-level positions, functional leadership roles, and M&A integration. He has extensive knowledge and experience in restaurant, food service, retail and consumer industries and has completed assignments in finance, human resources, IT, supply chain, real estate, franchising, operations, and marketing.
Mr. Gershberg is strategic partner and develops and implements human capital strategies for emerging restaurant concepts to billion-dollar brands. Prior to Wray Executive Search, Mr. Gershberg founded various successful QSR and fast casual chains and served as the CEO of a dominant multi-state bakery café chain. He plays an active role on board of directors, works with non-profit organizations, and is a frequent guest lecturer at universities across the country. Mr. Gershberg splits his time between the New York and St. Petersburg, FL offices.
Related: Why Soft Skills Still Rule the C-Suite in the Age of AI
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
