ZRG Expands Technology Practice into Austin and Dallas
November 18, 2020 – ZRG Partners has expanded its technology practice into Texas with the addition of managing directors Lisa Hooker in Austin and Tyler Gordon and Kevin Anderson in Dallas. Together, the three have a collective 60 years of experience and assignments spanning a number of sectors within the tech space. They have delivered board and leadership projects for Fortune 500, mid-cap and SMEs as well as private equity, pre-IPO and venture-backed clients in the technology sector.
“As we continue to grow geographically, it’s important that we grow with purpose,” said Larry Hartmann, CEO of ZRG. “The expansion into Texas with the addition of three accomplished and technology-focused search consultants ensures we can serve the country’s next great tech hubs, identifying the leaders who will shape and influence the ways in which technology impacts our lives and the future.”
Known as Silicon Hills, Austin is quickly becoming one of largest technology hubs in the country. Tech giants like Google, Facebook, Amazon and GoDaddy have operations in the capitol city, and it will soon be home to a Tesla factory and an expanded Apple campus. In recent years, its ample supply of highly skilled workers and comparatively low cost of doing business have made it a formidable alternative to the Bay Area and New York City for companies looking to grow.
Ms. Hooker brings a career spanning more than 20 years of executive search consulting and has delivered board and leadership projects for Fortune 500, mid-cap and SMEs as well as private equity, pre-IPO and venture-backed clients in the technology sector. Prior to joining ZRG, Ms. Hooker was a partner with Odgers Berndtson, opening its Austin office. She was also a founding partner of BridgeStreet Partners.
As in Austin, technological acumen and creative cultures are emerging within the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex in a workforce that’s both accessible and affordable. The area’s central location and low cost of real estate and labor make it ideal for blockchain, IT services and data center infrastructure. In addition, Dallas now has the third-most Fortune 500 companies among U.S. metros, furthering its stance as one of the country’s leading international hubs.
With more than 15 years of search experience, Mr. Gordon has worked with top-tier, mid-market, and boutique consultancies. He has placed senior leaders in a broad range of strategic positions and functions including principals, partners, vice presidents, and senior vice presidents. His search experience spans a number of industry-specific and functionally aligned mandates, including leading engagements for commercial leadership, financial leadership and general management orientated roles. Mr. Gordon was a partner with Odgers Berndtson, where he led much of the firm’s work in the professional and technology services sectors. Previously, he served as a sector leader for Korn Ferry, where he led the professional and IT services practice for the firm’s professional search division.
Mr. Anderson specializes in board-driven executive searches including CEOs, CFOs, C-suite executives and board directors as well as private equity investment professionals and operating partners. His practice spans a range of industries and has particular expertise in communications, IT services and software, specializing in digital transformation. Mr. Anderson has over 25 years of experience in senior-level executive search and previously a partner at Odgers Berndtson. Before that, he co-led the IoT (Internet of Things) specialty practice at Korn Ferry.
“Our newest consultants will leverage ZRG’s comprehensive and industry-leading suite of digital tools available within the firm’s online hiring portal, the Zi Platform,” said Dona Roche-Tarry, ZRG’s technology practice group leader. “Culture fit score, skills and attributes rating, interview feedback, and more provide the invaluable data and analytics used to identify the senior talent poised to perform at the highest level for each assignment. In addition, the counsel of their peers across functions and sectors will enable them to place roles such as chief technology/ information officer within more traditional enterprises.”
ZRG, founded in 1999, is a progressive mid-sized global executive search firm that uses a proven, data-driven approach. Today, ZRG is one of the fastest-growing global firms in the search industry and provides a full suite of retained executive, middle-management, and customized search solutions globally 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.
Other Recent Additions
In October, ZRG expanded with the addition of Lisa Peacock-Edwards as managing director and leader of its digital, data, analytics and AI practice. “Lisa’s track record of success spans countries and continents,” said Mr. Hartmann. “As a member of the ZRG team and leader of the digital, data, analytics and AI practice, I’m confident in the successful placements she will make on behalf of her clients in the digital space and beyond.”
ZRG Expands in Latin America and Mexico
ZRG Partners expanded its global footprint into Latin America and Mexico with the additions of Manny Corsino and Hugo Lara. “For over a decade, Manny has dedicated himself to bridging the gap between North America and Latin America in the executive search world, and our technology practice will benefit from his valuable industry expertise,” said Larry Hartmann, CEO. “In addition, Hugo’s focus on customers’ needs and people management, as well as his strong consultative and strategic thinking abilities, will be an asset to our industrial and consumer practices.”
Ms. Peacock-Edwards has 20 years of experience working with large enterprises and private equity-backed business. Her work has focused on organizations experiencing growth and transformation across digital, technology, data and the customer, including high-profile digital and data transformation assignments for Fortune 50 companies and charters to drive growth within private equity portfolio companies.
ZRG also added Simon Revere to its London office as managing director and leader of the firm’s global supply chain and operations practice. “Knowing that Simon has collaborated with many of ZRG’s search experts in the past, I’m certain he will be a worthy addition to our team,” said Mr. Hartmann. “I look forward to the success and growth he brings to our London office and beyond.”
Mr. Revere has 20 years of search experience primarily in the consumer space, with prior assignments spanning the CPG, retail, hospitality, travel, and media and entertainment sectors. In addition to establishing his own search and outplacement consulting firm, he previously spent seven years with Korn Ferry, growing the firm’s consumer and supply chain practices in North America and EMEA.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
