In 2023, our executive search team was honored to partner with Monolithic Power Systems, on a nationwide search to find their new Head of People.

Monolithic Power Systems is a $1.8B publicly traded company based in Kirkland, WA, is fulfilling their mission of developing technology for a more sustainable planet by designing small, ultra-efficient, easy-to-use power management systems. Chances are, you’re utilizing one of MPS’s ubiquitous products right now on your phone, laptop, television – even the lights overhead.

With an aggressive growth rate of 30-35% YOY (50% in 2022), MPS intentionally flies under the radar, quietly investing in research and thorough testing to offer increasingly efficient and reliable ways to power state-of-the art technology by delivering ever-greener solutions. MPS recognizes their impact on the planet’s climate through their Environmental Management System, a framework used to monitor their environmental stewardship.

In addition to their focus on the health of our planet, MPS focuses on the health of their employees. With 3300 employees globally based in offices in Kirkland, WA, San Jose, CA, Barcelona, Paris, Bangalore, Singapore,Beijing, Tokyo and more, they’ve built a culture based on innovation and empowering its people. They invest in talent by providing a work/life balanced culture, training and development opportunities, and promotions from within. Women make up nearly half of their management level staff, and the company welcomes employees of all backgrounds.

Learn more about Herd Freed Hartz’s
Human Resources / Head of People executive search practice | Technology executive search practice | Manufacturing executive search practice

In 2023, our executive search team was honored to partner with Therapeutic Associates, on a nationwide search to find their new Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

Therapeutic Associates is physical therapist owned and directed since 1952. Their clinics are managed by physical therapists who have the support and resources of a large organization, and the freedom to manage their clinic operations with their teammates to best serve their patients and the larger community.

They offer an unprecedented program called PT Cohort to all newly hired physical therapists providing leadership development, clinical education, peer support and social connectedness, and a chance to collaborate and share feedback. We also offer one-on-one Mentorship, an APTA-credentialed Orthopaedic Residency Program, specialty practice resources, research and teaching offerings, coursework including the NAIOMT COMT series, a clinical listserv, and many other education opportunities for our employees.

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Finance executive search practice | Healthcare executive search practice

In 2023, our executive search team was honored to partner with Sono Bello, on a nationwide search to find their new VP of Finance Operations.

In just over a decade, Sono Bello® has grown into an industry leader with 80+ locations spanning across the United States. Their growth is made possible by an amazing team of board-certified surgeons that are now more than 185 strong, as well as their entire team of dedicated Sono Bello® employees.

With their eyes to the future, Sono Bello looks forward to opening even more locations in the coming years. They also look forward to further advances in the tools and techniques of their craft, so they can always provide customers with the most advanced micro laser liposuction procedures and the most amazing results available.

America’s #1 Cosmetic Surgery Specialist
Sono Bello® believes body cosmetic procedures to be both a science and an art. Over the years, they have seen that when the two work together seamlessly, lives are changed for the better. This is why their team of highly skilled physicians only specialize in total body transformation, and it’s how they have been able to positively impact the lives of thousands of women and men nationwide since our beginning.

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Finance executive search practice | Healthcare executive search practice

In 2023, our executive search team was honored to partner with S.A. Piazza, known for Wild Mike’s Pizza, on a nationwide search to find their new Sr. VP of Sales.

S. A. Piazza & Associates, one of the fastest growing frozen food manufacturers in the US located in Clackamas, Oregon. The company has been growing at a 30% annual rate and are investing in building a new state of the art 360K square foot production facility in Redmond, Oregon. This enables scaling up capacity and new capabilities to 10x current production. The family that founded the company in 1967 is on a five-year plan to take the company public in which all their employees have stock options and will get to participate in this event. This new facility will support their financial goal of being a Billion-dollar company.

Their Wild Mike’s Ultimate Pizza brand is distributed in all 50 states through a network of 67 retail chains. They also have a K-12 food service division, that has 15% of the school market, feeding approximately 50 million school children annually in 46 states.

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VP Sales executive search practice | Food & Agriculture executive search practice | Manufacturing executive search practice | Consumer & Retail executive search practice.

In 2023, our executive search team was honored to partner with Les Schwab on a nationwide search to find their new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in Bend, Oregon.

Les Schwab Tire Centers (Les Schwab) is the 5th-largest independent tire retail dealer in the United States. Established in 1952, the iconic brand is named for its founder, Les Schwab, and is headquartered in Bend, Oregon. Les Schwab employs approximately 8,000 employees and operates over 500 retail stores across ten western states, and has annual sales of approximately $2.2 billion.

In November 2020, Meritage Group LP, a family-owned private investment firm, acquired Les Schwab. Meritage provides strategic insight, while recognizing and preserving the culture and values that make Les Schwab successful. Strong financial backing enables Les Schwab to pursue accelerated growth opportunities (organic and M&A) in the $40 billion automotive aftermarket sector.

Learn more about Herd Freed Hartz’s CFO executive search practice | Consumer & Retail executive search practice | Private Equity executive search practice.

Our executive search team was honored to partner with Chugach Alaska Corporation on a nationwide search to find their new Chief Executive Officer in Anchorage, Alaska.

For over 50+ years, Chugach has been committed to advancing the economic and social well-being of its 2,700+ shareholders and their descendents – the Alaska Native people of the Chugach region. Chugach serves its people and communities through a diverse porfolio of private equity and real estate investments employing 4,500 people, allowing this leading Alaska Native Corporation to provide stable, enduring growth for generations to come.

“After a comprehensive nationwide search in partnership with executive recruiting firm Herd Freed Hartz, the Board is pleased to have found the ideal candidate to continue charting our course for future growth,” said Sheri Buretta, Chugach’s Chairman of the Board. “Jonathan is a well-respected, values-driven, and visionary leader with a track record of successfully navigating organizational transformation and growth initiatives. This, combined with his deep defense industry knowledge, makes Jonathan uniquely qualified to lead Chugach’s business operations at a crucial time for our corporation.”

We look forward to the hearing about the impactful work Jonathan Dalrymple will deliver for Chugach to continue its legacy as a leading Alaska Native Corporation.

Chugach Alaska Corporation Press Release (Nov 20, 2023)

Learn more about Herd Freed Hartz’s CEO executive search practice or Private Equity executive search practice.

In 2023, our executive search team was honored to partner with Fora Health on a nationwide search to find their new Chief Executive Officer in Portland, Oregon.

Fora Health delivers “Whole Person Care” as one of Oregon’s oldest, largest, and most respected non‑profit providers of substance use and co‑occurring mental health disorder care. Each year, Fora serves 2,000+ individuals and families, helping over 50,000 people change their relationship to alcohol and drugs in its nearly 50‑year history. Founded in 1974, Fora Health today has a $17M annual budget, 150 employees and two locations (SE Portland and Hillsboro).

Maree Wacker, outgoing CEO @ Fora Health, reflected on the search process: “Herd Freed Hartz was a vital partner for our CEO search. They delivered the perfect balance of insight, understanding of the qualities we were looking for, and persistence. They were a fast study on learning our unique industry. All of this delivered with enthusiasm and energy for the effort we had in front of us.”

“We engaged in a thorough process to determine our next CEO over several months. Devarshi stood out as an executive with the right balance of leadership skills, professional and subject matter expertise, and community commitment,” said James Polo, Fora Health Board Chair.

We look forward to the hearing about the continued life-changing, transformative work Devarshi Bajapi and the Fora Health team will achieve together!

Fora Health CEO Announcement

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

In 2023, our executive search team had the honor to partner on a nationwide search with Laird Norton Company to find their new Chief Financial Officer.

Laird Norton Company (LNC) carries forward the Laird Norton family legacy of investment and corporate citizenship that began in 1855. Today LNC is still owned by the 500+ member, 7th generation family that was one of the early timber industry pioneer families in Seattle. Laird Norton Company is the parent company allocating patient capital, strategy and governance across holdings in real estate and their operating businesses.

Brian McGuigan, CEO shared: “It was a pleasure working with Paul and Liliane on this CFO search. You surfaced some great candidates, listened well and provided good advice at the points where I most needed it. I look forward to working together again.”

Congratulations to Trevor Parris in his new role as CFO and wishing Trevor and the Laird Norton Company continued success!

Learn more about Herd Freed Hartz’s CFO executive search practice or our Family Business executive search practice.

Herd Freed Hartz is proud to announce the completion of the executive search for a new Executive Director for the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties.

See full article in the Puget Sound Business Journal (March 2, 2018)

Former Weyerhaeuser VP is Master Builders’ first woman executive director

Kathleen (Kat) Sims was named executive director of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties on Thursday. She is the first woman executive director in the association’s 109-year history.  

Herd Freed Hartz is proud to have had the opportunity to partner with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on their recent CFO nationwide executive search.  We love the work they are doing to improve lives and make a real difference in the world.

Press release (from July 5, 2018) — The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today announced that Carolyn Ainslie has been named chief financial officer, effective October 1, 2018. Currently, Ainslie is Vice President for Finance and Treasurer at Princeton University where she serves as the chief financial officer, responsible for the central financial functions of the University.

“We are very pleased that Carolyn will join the foundation as our CFO,” said Sue Desmond-Hellmann, chief executive officer of the foundation. “Her leadership and deep experience well position Carolyn to help ensure the foundation’s endowment is invested wisely and boldly in service of the people who need it most.”

In her new position, Ainslie will lead the finance and accounting, financial planning and analysis, assurance and risk management, and program-related investment teams. This is both a strategic and operational leadership role responsible for maximizing impact across the foundation’s portfolio of programmatic investments in global health, global development, and education.

“I am honored to join the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and do my part to help people around the world have productive and healthy lives,” said Ainslie. “I am grateful for my years at Princeton and Cornell where I embraced the value of lifelong learning and the importance of serving others, and look forward to building on that with the foundation.”

Ainslie has served as Princeton University’s vice president and CFO for the last 10 years and before that, she was vice president for Planning and Budget at Cornell University until 2008. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Bucknell University and an MBA from the University of Rochester.

About the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people’s health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people—especially those with the fewest resources—have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Sue Desmond-Hellmann and Co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.

Last update of the article: 06/05/2020.