Category: Client Placement & News

Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to partner with Uwajimaya, on a nationwide retained search to find their new VP of Retail Customer Experience.

With nearly 500 employees, Uwajimaya is one of the largest Asian grocery retailers in the Pacific Northwest. Since 1928, Uwajimaya has evolved beyond providing basic grocery staples and become the destination to experience Asian food culture.

Denise Moriguchi, CEO commented on the executive search: “Stephanie is a great fit and brings a lot of value to Uwajimaya and the role.  She is working out great!”

Learn more about Herd Freed Hartz’s:
Consumer & Retail practice
COO / VP Operations practice

Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to partner with LightScalpel, on a nationwide retained search to find their new Chief Revenue Officer.

“Chris Blais and his team at Herd Freed Hartz did an exceptional job on our behalf.  The recruiting process for the CRO role of LightScalpel was well-organized and highly efficient.  We had a strong talent pool to interview and select from.  I would highly recommend Chris to any organization going through an executive search.” – Richard Wood, LightScalpel Board of Directors

Founded in 2002 and based in the greater Seattle area, LightScalpel is a leading designer, manufacturer and servicer of surgical CO2 lasers for dentists, physicians and veterinarians. They offer the highest quality, state-of-the-art, precise, reliable and affordable surgical CO2 lasers on the market today. With a wide range of exclusive and proprietary technologies as well as best-in-class scalpel-like handpieces their systems enable the most ergonomic and efficient laser surgery at a fraction of competitors’ prices.

Doctors, dentists and veterinarians prefer CO2 lasers because they allow for a clear and dry surgical field providing precision and confidence in delicate procedures. Patients appreciate doctors who utilize LightScalpel’s technology because it leads to improved healing and less post-operative pain.

With its extensive technical expertise across the engineering team, LightScalpel has developed unique intellectual property based on the latest in laser-tissue interaction science across different surgical specialties from plastic surgery to soft tissue dentistry. This unique approach has enabled LightScalpel to develop the only flexible fiber CO2 surgical laser capable of serving the dental, veterinary and small office physician markets.

LightScalpel’s mission is to provide surgeons with the highest quality, state-of-the-art, precise, reliable and affordable surgical carbon dioxide laser solutions.

Learn more about Herd Freed Hartz’s:
Technology & Startups practice
Chief Revenue Officer / VP Sales practice

Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to partner with Midwest Dairy, on a nationwide retained search to find their new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Midwest Dairy Association®, proudly represents over 4,000 dairy farms to 41 million consumers across the midwest region. They work on their behalf to build dairy demand by inspiring consumer confidence in their products and production practices. They bring dairy to life for a better world with exciting flavors, convenient products, memorable experiences and credible information.

Midwest Dairy Association® is funded by farmers across a 10-state region, including Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. As part of the national dairy checkoff, they focus on dairy promotion, nutrition education and research and committed to health and wellness through different collaborative programs.

“Working with Fred Pabst of Herd Freed Hartz far exceeded my expectations. He was a true professional throughout the entire process. We had a strong talent pool to interview and select our next CEO from. I would highly recommend Fred to any organization going through an executive search.” (Charles Krause, Board Chair of Midwest Dairy)

“The hiring process for the CEO role of Midwest Dairy was well organized, dynamic and expedient thanks to Fred. He kept in regular communication and set expectations for the process very clearly and frequently.” (Corey Scott, New CEO of Midwest Dairy)

Learn more about Herd Freed Hartz’s:
Food & Agriculture executive search practice
CEO executive search practice

Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to partner with Inventprise, on a nationwide retained search to find their new Chief People Officer.

Inventprise (IVT) was founded in 2012 by Dr. Subhash Kapre with the goal of improving global health. Their mission and focus is on developing efficacious, affordable vaccines for global populations most in need.

Over the years, the company has grown from a small R&D lab, operating out of a start-up accelerator in South Lake Union, Seattle, to a clinical-stage biotech organization with sights on commercializing the novel vaccine candidates in our pipeline. Bill Gates cut the ribbon on their new manufacturing facility in 2022 as they are supported by funds from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Herd Freed Hartz is continuing it’s long-term partnership with Inventprise after also filling other executives including their CEO, Chief Medical Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

Recent news about Inventprise’s Phase 2 Pneumococcal vaccine candidate

Learn more about Herd Freed Hartz’s:
Chief People Officer & HR/Talent executive search practice
Healthcare & Biotech executive search practice

Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to partner with Alaska Power & Telephone, on a nationwide retained search to find their new CEO.

Alaska Power & Telephone (AP&T) has provided affordable utility services to meet the evolving needs of rural Alaskan communities since 1957. Today, AP&T provides services in over 40 communities and villages spanning 1,100 linear miles. 75% of our energy generation comes from renewable hydropower, with excesses available in some communities to support beneficial electrification (heat pumps, electric vehicles) and sustainable growth.

AP&T works diligently to deploy advanced high-speed broadband to support the telecommunications needs of rural Alaskans far into the future. AP&T supports other carriers with middle-mile transport, via assets like the Lynn Canal Fiber project, the Southeast Alaska Microwave Network, and the SEALink fiber optic cable currently under development.

Their employee-owners live and work in the communities they serve.  AP&T is proud to partner with diverse indigenous organizations, local governments, state and federal agencies, industry associations, and conservation groups to undertake innovative projects that improve quality of life for all.

APT Press Release (CEO – Feb 2024)

Learn more about Herd Freed Hartz’s:
CEO executive search practice
Alaska executive search practice

Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to partner with Patriot Erectors, on a nationwide retained search to find their new President & COO.

Patriot Erectors is the premier steel fabrication & erection company in the fast-growing Central Texas region as well as operations in Dallas/Fort-Worth and Houston. They uniquely provide both steel fabrication (structural and columns, beams, bracing, trusses, stairs, railing, frames and custom elements) and steel erection (welding, bolting, erecting, rigging, layout, material selection and logistics coordination).

They have grown to $125M+ annual revenues and 450 employees across all locations. Client projects range from a mix of large-scale projects in Central Texas including: college football stadiums, airports, commercial development, hospitals, residential towers, and manufacturing plants. They have a mix of fabrication plants and steel construction teams who deliver high quality work to ensure the project is done right – on time and on budget.

Their rapid growth in a hot commercial construction market (Austin/Central Texas) has led to its own challenges along with inflation and staffing demands. Patriot Erector’s track record of success attracted private equity investment from Ranch Creek Partners and Hillstar Capital.

Parley Dixon, CEO, shared “Herd Freed Hartz did a solid job of understanding what we were looking for regarding talent, competencies and fit – and ultimately delivered. Their team listened intently to the particular needs we had for the positions, and crafted a search and screening program that generated an excellent candidate pool. When it came to filling this new President & COO role, we were comfortable using them based on their prior success filling our CFO role the prior year.”

Learn more about Herd Freed Hartz’s:
COO executive search practice
Manufacturing executive search practice
Private Equity executive search practice

In 2023, our executive search team was honored to partner with King County Library System, on a nationwide retained search to find their new Executive Director.

The King County Library System (KCLS) envisions a world where knowledge allows diverse communities to prosper and grow. To support this vision, KCLS creates opportunities through meaningful connections as a knowledge sharing center for over 1.5 million diverse patrons.

KCLS is one of the largest and busiest public library systems in the country. More than 900 engaged and passionate staff members provide library services at 50 locations and community engagement initiatives through direct outreach, virtual assistance, and curated programs. The KCLS service area includes cities, towns, tribal lands, and unincorporated districts of King County, with the exception of the city of Seattle.

KCLS values Intellectual Freedom and believe that everyone has the right to seek out information, ideas and expressive content of any kind within the law. They are committed to supporting Intellectual Freedom by facilitating and safeguarding equitable access, privacy and an extensive range of constitutionally protected opinions, perspectives and viewpoints.

Check out the KCLS Press Announcement
 
Learn more about Herd Freed Hartz’s:
CEO executive search practice | Government & Public Sector executive search practice

In 2023, our executive search team was honored to partner with First Choice Health, on a nationwide search to find their new VP of Sales.

First Choice Health, headquartered in Seattle, WA, is a provider-owned healthcare organization offering employers a forward-thinking alternative to traditional health insurance. They have been serving employers of all sizes and across many industries with exceptional health benefits administration for over 35 years, providing unparalleled access to a growing number of clinically integrated networks (CIN) and a traditional PPO. Alongside their Employee Assistance Program (EAP) addressing mental health and work-life balance, their services collectively support members in every step of their healthcare journeys.

At First Choice Health, they are proud to deliver the personalized, quality service our clients deserve, while reducing costs and keeping their members healthy. Uniting providers, employers, and individuals, they deliver sustainable solutions that elevate the health and care of their communities.

Just over one million people use First Choice Health’s array of products and services in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota. Their network helps to reduce costs while maintaining quality and convenience. Their Health Plan Administration offerings include custom networks, flexible plan designs, and medical management. Their EAP offers counseling and referral services to complement our health benefit-oriented services.

 

Learn more about Herd Freed Hartz’s:
Healthcare executive search practice | VP Sales executive search practice

In 2023, our executive search team was honored to partner with Multi-Service Center, on a nationwide search to find their new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Multi-Service Center helps to strengthen communities throughout south Puget Sound. With 50+ years of experience working with individuals who strive to make lasting change in their lives, Multi-Service Center continues to offer fresh and innovative resources that help people increase their self-sufficiency and stability. Multi-Service Center empowers people to become fully productive members of the community by providing services in energy assistance, housing, food, employment training, financial management, education, and advocacy for the elderly and disabled.

The more than 200 organizations and businesses that partner and collaborate with MSC not only
extend the agency’s reach in the community, but also bolster MSC’s fulltime staff of 90 employees and
its cadre of several hundred volunteers. Together, these partnerships allow more than 40,000 people a
year to receive the help they need to build pathways out of poverty. Multi-Service Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization

Learn more about Herd Freed Hartz’s
CEO executive search practice | Non Profit executive search practice

In 2023, our executive search team was honored to partner with The Arc of Spokane, on a nationwide search to find their new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

The Arc of Spokane is a chapter of The Arc of Washington and The Arc of the United States. Over 600 chapters across the country are on the front lines to ensure that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families have the support and services they need to be fully engaged in their communities. Their federation of state and local chapters creates a powerful network ensuring that people with IDD and their families have the strongest civil and human rights advocates promoting and protecting their needs at all levels.

Learn more about Herd Freed Hartz’s
CEO executive search practice | Non Profit executive search practice