ZRG Partners Expands In Seattle, Calgary and Frankfurt
February 14, 2017 – Executive search firm ZRG Partners continues to be in growth mode. The firm recently named Allen Brady and Peter Gremillion as managing directors its industrial practice group as well as Jill Schofield as managing director and head of its global mining practice. In addition to his industrial experience, Mr. Brady will add sector depth to ZRG’s aerospace and defense team providing West Coast coverage for clients located in the region. He will join the firm’s Seattle office.
He has deep relationships in the technology market forged during his time at Microsoft, where he served as a member of the software giant’s executive search team. In addition to Microsoft, Mr. Brady gained executive search and talent acquisition functional experience at Korn Ferry, Bombardier Learjet, Waggener Edstrom, and Sierra Nevada Corporation.
“Allen has the unique view of talent, having worked for Korn Ferry in executive search but he’s also led the internal talent acquisition function within top branded clients with recruiting teams,” said Larry Hartmann, ZRG CEO. “This view will equip Allen to effectively integrate ZRG’s data and analytics tools into the executive search processes in ways that meet client needs and insure top talent is selected for each mandate.”
Mr. Gremillion will work out of the firm’s Frankfurt office. He brings 13 years of executive search experience to ZRG. Previously, he was regional practice leader, industrial and manufacturing, for SpenglerFox. He also served as senior consultant at RSVP Group. At these two firms, he worked on projects across four continents and ran projects for highly specialized management and corporate functions.
Global Industrial Hiring Trends
ZRG Partners has 21 global industrial team managing directors who track hiring within the sector. For Q4 2016, the ZRG Partners Global Industrial Hiring Index posted a 17 percent decrease in the number of job postings globally versus the previous quarter. Year-over-year, the index posted a five percent increase versus Q4 2015. Overall, for 2016, the index was up 15 percent versus 2015. According to the search firm, Q4 of any year is generally the weakest quarter seasonally for job postings. That said, on a quarter-over-quarter basis, the aerospace and defense subsector showed strength, with job openings flat versus Q3 2016. Similar to last quarter, on a quarter-over quarter basis, automotive and heavy equipment continued to lag, showing decreases in job postings of 39 percent and 26 percent, respectively. On a year-over-year basis, the numbers show that aerospace and defense and EPC performed well, while automotive and heavy equipment were weak versus Q4 2015. Nate Frank, managing director and head of the ZRG’s global industrial practice said the Q4 Index “reflects quantitatively the unease and uncertainty created by a very contentious U.S. election season. It drove the Q4 numbers down from what had been a strong 2016 throughout.” However, he said, the firm’s partners remain encouraged that this was still the Index’s strongest Q4 in the last few years.
Mr. Gremillion brings deep sector knowledge that includes oil & gas, basic chemicals, specialty chemicals, food ingredients, pharma ingredients, paints, packaging and the service providers to the producers of those products. He also brings with him a passion for renewable and bio-based materials that will create sustainable product portfolios and solutions.
“Peter is a unique partner, having spent considerable time in Germany and the United States,” said Mr. Hartmann. “His ability to help guide global clients through the hiring process, and understanding cultural and regional nuances, has made him a valuable client partner.”
Ms. Schofield will manage the firm’s Western Canada operations from its Calgary, Alberta office. She is recognized as a top executive search professional in Canada, starting her search career in 2001. She comes to ZRG from DHR International, where she served as managing partner for Western Canada. Before that she was CEO of Apogee Executive Search.
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Prior to her search career, Ms. Schofield worked as a geologist and explorationist companies including Eldorado Nuclear, Denison Mines, Brinco Limited and Shell Canada Ltd., primarily in the exploration of uranium and base metals such as lead, zinc, copper and silver. In 1982, she joined Chevron as an explorationist where she spent nearly 15 years working in oil & gas. In 1996, she became a national manager for IBM and led the company’s supply chain and delivery of outsourced services nationally.
“Jill represents a critical piece to our global industrial puzzle with her domain knowledge in mining and energy coupled with her ideal Calgary location, a key hub of sector activity,” said Mr. Hartmann. “We are thrilled to have her join our team adding depth to our fast growing industrial sector and we look forward to further expanding our presence in Canada under her leadership.”
Other Recent Additions
There have been a number of other recent additions to ZRG’s recruiter base in recent months as the firm continues to expand its industry and functional search specialization offerings.
Last month, ZRG added David Sheahan as a managing director in its Dallas office. He focuses on supporting clients in the life sciences, technology and energy sectors, where he has extensive experience. Mr. Sheahan has enjoyed a long career in human resource services, having served with Korn Ferry since 2008. He has led complex talent management projects for a number of blue chip companies, C-suite executives and boards of directors.
In November, it named Sharon Stein as a managing director in its financial services, private equity and consumer recruiting practices. She works from the firm’s New York office. Ms. Stein has served clients across a broad range of sectors including, private equity, financial services, technology, consumer packaged goods, hospitality, and retail. For the past 10 years she has supported her clients as the founder and president of Sagamore, NA, a search firm that recruits C-suite executives and leaders in general management, marketing and strategy.
ZRG also recently added Philipp Sturm as a managing director and country head of Germany. He works out of the firm’s office in Frankfurt and will also serve as a member of the its global industrial practice. Mr. Sturm brings a decade plus of solid and relevant executive search experience to ZRG. Prior to joining the firm, he worked at Korn Ferry in its global industrial practice.
In September, the firm named John McLean as a managing director in its global life sciences search practice with the acquisition of certain assets of Illinois-based consulting practice McLean Consulting. Mr. McLean, who works out of ZRG’s Chicago office, has 14 years of executive search experience, served several recruiting firms, including Witt/Kieffer, DHR International and Johnson & Johnson before founding his own practice. ZRG also appointed Samantha Foster as a managing director and member of the firm’s global industrial practice. She leads the firm’s efforts in the aerospace & defense vertical, where she has spent more than 12 years supporting clients globally.
Contributed by Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor, Hunt Scanlon Media
