Insights

Insights You Can Use
Our perspective on hiring talent underscores the importance of skill and cultural fit.
Latest Insights
Mark Sonstein – CIO @ Chugach Electric
Chugach Electric Association, Inc. is Alaska’s largest electric utility, proudly serving more than 90,000 members across Anchorage and northern Kenai Peninsula. As a member-owned cooperative, Chugach Electric is deeply rooted in the communities it serves and committed to delivering safe, reliable, and affordable power while advancing a cleaner and more resilient energy future.
Marty Pearson – SVP, IT Operations & Infrastructure @ NW Administrators
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to partner with Northwest Administrators on a retained executive search to find their new SVP, IT Operations & Infrastructure in Seattle. Since 1958, Northwest Administrators Inc. has been a trusted third-party administrator with a long-standing reputation for delivering accurate, compliant, and member-focused benefit administration services.
Read More Marty Pearson – SVP, IT Operations & Infrastructure @ NW Administrators
Mel Ewing – CTO @ 3 Rivers Communications
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to partner with 3 Rivers Communications on a retained executive search to find their new Chief Technology Officer (CTO) in rural Montana. 3 Rivers Communications is a member-owned telecommunications cooperative providing broadband, VoIP, and related IP-based services to rural communities across central and western Montana.
Amy Spanik – CFO @ Johnstone Supply
Johnstone Supply (The Founders Group) is a leading HVAC/R wholesale distributor that has been serving contractors across the Western United States since 1953. Operating 20 branch locations six Western states, the company stocks products from more than 300 premier brands
How to Deliver a 5-Star Candidate Experience
Whether fair or not, an executive candidate will judge what it’s like to work at your company based on their recruiting experience and communication.
Eric Rose – President @ Markey Machine
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to partner with Markey Machine on a retained executive search to find their new President. Since 1907, Markey Machine has been the global leader in the design, manufacturing, and servicing of high-performance marine winches and deck equipment.
Neill Bafus – CFO @ Rottler Manufacturing
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
After 25 Years of Executive Search: What the Algorithms Still Can’t Do
I co-founded Herd Freed Hartz as a retained executive search firm in Seattle in July 2001. LinkedIn didn’t exist. Indeed was still three years away. Twenty-five years and more than 1,000 searches later, one truth stands out: the tools have changed almost everything—except the part that matters most.
Read More After 25 Years of Executive Search: What the Algorithms Still Can’t Do
The Hidden Costs of an Unsuccessful C-Level Search
The Hidden Costs of an Unsuccessful C-Level Search A vacant…
Read More The Hidden Costs of an Unsuccessful C-Level Search
Neil Moody – Director of Quality @ Red Dot Corporation
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Read More Neil Moody – Director of Quality @ Red Dot Corporation
David Pepin – VP Sales & Marketing @ Whirlwind Services
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Read More David Pepin – VP Sales & Marketing @ Whirlwind Services
The Fractional CFO Inflection Point: Moving Beyond Interim Finance Leadership
Fractional CFO vs. Full-Time CFO: The Question Behind the Question…
Read More The Fractional CFO Inflection Point: Moving Beyond Interim Finance Leadership
March Madness Lessons for Executive Hiring: Why the Best Teams Win (Not Just the Flashiest Stars)
After more than two decades in broadcasting, I can’t help but still view the tournament through that lens: the storytelling, the preparation behind each performance, the small moments that reveal something bigger about a team. But now, as an executive recruiter, I also see it through a second lens—one that’s focused on how people perform, how teams are constructed, and what ultimately drives success over time.
The “Flip an Egg” Question: The Epic Interview Story
What if you could ask just one interview question and achieve a remarkably high degree of hiring success?
Here’s the story of when that actually happened—and how you can put this concept to work in your next search.
Read More The “Flip an Egg” Question: The Epic Interview Story
Craig Morris – President @ Keyport
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Bruce Wolfram – CFO @ L&E Bottling
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Mark Musburger – CFO @ Conversion Logix
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Tom Ryan – Director of Finance @ Hallcon
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Top 7 Video Interview Tips: Nail First Impressions in Executive Interviews
Like them or not—video interviews are here to stay. In my experience conducting hundreds of video interviews each year, I’ve seen simple mistakes trip up both executive candidates and company leaders on either side of the screen.
Read More Top 7 Video Interview Tips: Nail First Impressions in Executive Interviews
Stan Kawahara – VP Operations @ Quantum Windows & Doors
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Read More Stan Kawahara – VP Operations @ Quantum Windows & Doors
Mark DeCosta – Director, National Accounts @ Cascade Coffee
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Read More Mark DeCosta – Director, National Accounts @ Cascade Coffee
Ben Coker – VP Finance @ joe.coffee
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Lizzie Marsters – CEO @ Starker Forests
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Our 25th Anniversary Celebration!
2026 is a big milestone year: USA’s 250th anniversary, FIFA…
Ken Price – COO @ Northwest Harvest
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Joe Jacuzzi – CEO @ America’s Automotive Trust
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Mark Mattke – Executive Director @ Centerforce
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Bret Downing – President @ G3 Builders
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Elisabeth Zeller – CEO @ Craft3
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Jared Green – Director of Operations @ Photon Kinetics
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Read More Jared Green – Director of Operations @ Photon Kinetics
Rob Johnson – Executive Director @ Seattle Center Foundation
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Read More Rob Johnson – Executive Director @ Seattle Center Foundation
Nick Kolar – EVP of Sales @ UMBRAGROUP
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Private Equity Executive Pay in 2025: What the Numbers and Deal Data Reveal
What the Data Shows: Compensation Remains Competitive In 2025, compensation…
Read More Private Equity Executive Pay in 2025: What the Numbers and Deal Data Reveal
Alaska Executive Search Insight
In our experience filling many CEO, CFO, Executive Director and executive level searches for Alaska based organizations, we’ve learned a winning formula for developing a winning partnership.
There is a moment nearly every leader experiences when they begin working in Alaska—a moment when the landscape, the culture, and the responsibility of this place reset their sense of what leadership means.
CEOWORLD Names Herd Freed Hartz #1 Retained Executive Search Firm in the Northwest for 2025
For the second consecutive year, Herd Freed Hartz is proud to announce our recognition as one of America’s premier executive search firms—once again securing the #1 position in the Northwest and #39 globally on CEOWORLD Magazine’s esteemed Top 100 Executive Search Firms and Consultants Globally for 2025.
Laura Hammock – Controller @ ServiceMaster of Tacoma
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Read More Laura Hammock – Controller @ ServiceMaster of Tacoma
Dan Kinsfogel – CFO @ Sagetech Avionics
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Kevin Hall – VP Sales @ Superior Fruit Equipment
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Jeff Keller – President @ Western Wood Products Association
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Read More Jeff Keller – President @ Western Wood Products Association
George Nomikos – Dir of Sales @ Markey Machine
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Alissa Harrington – Dir of HR @ Absher Construction
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Read More Alissa Harrington – Dir of HR @ Absher Construction
Fred Dear – Dir of EV Operations Center @ Hallcon
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Tara Bomberger – CFO @ Ponzi Vineyards
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
George Babey – VP Engineering @ Code.org
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Winning Talent: Lessons from Cal Raleigh’s Remarkable Season
by Ross Fletcher, Partner Before making the move into the…
Read More Winning Talent: Lessons from Cal Raleigh’s Remarkable Season
Joy Fowler – Director, Equity & Inclusion @ City of Vancouver
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Read More Joy Fowler – Director, Equity & Inclusion @ City of Vancouver
Bulent Turan – Chief Commercial Officer @ Cortland International
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Read More Bulent Turan – Chief Commercial Officer @ Cortland International
Steve Seppi – CEO @ Dairy West
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Shawn Mohr – CEO @ ULedger
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Sara Thomas – COO @ Midwest Dairy
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Julie Manheim – Dir of Business Operations @ NW Family Law
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Read More Julie Manheim – Dir of Business Operations @ NW Family Law
Kyle Teutsch – VP Accounting @ Cascade Coffee
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Eric Ljungquist – SVP Finance @ Columbia Distributing
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Read More Eric Ljungquist – SVP Finance @ Columbia Distributing
Tavi Siochi – CTO @ MCG Health
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Bill Waggoner – VP Construction @ MonteVista Homes
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Read More Bill Waggoner – VP Construction @ MonteVista Homes
Erik Pihl – VP Institutional Advancement @ American Automotive Trust
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Read More Erik Pihl – VP Institutional Advancement @ American Automotive Trust
Shalini Joshi – CIO @ Seattle Housing Authority
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
CEOWorld Names Herd Freed Hartz top executive search firm in the Northwest
We’re thrilled Herd Freed Hartz has been recognized as one…
Read More CEOWorld Names Herd Freed Hartz top executive search firm in the Northwest
Herd Freed Hartz in the Kitchen
by Karen Bertiger, Partner This week the Herd Freed Hartz…
Andrea Keikkala – Executive Director @ United Catcher Boats
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Read More Andrea Keikkala – Executive Director @ United Catcher Boats
George Wimbrow – COO @ Henrybuilt
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Peter Roney – President @ Markey Machine
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Sandy Garner – Chief HR Officer @ Neighborcare Health
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Read More Sandy Garner – Chief HR Officer @ Neighborcare Health
Betsy Hail – Chief Operations Officer @ Neighborcare Health
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Read More Betsy Hail – Chief Operations Officer @ Neighborcare Health
Jia Paulucci – CFO @ Evident Alliance
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
George Vollmer – VP Global Product & Creative @ tms
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Read More George Vollmer – VP Global Product & Creative @ tms
Steve Mullins – Director of Human Resources @ Paramount Hotels (Maui)
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Read More Steve Mullins – Director of Human Resources @ Paramount Hotels (Maui)
Jeff Ocenasek – Sr Dir, Order to Cash @ T-Mobile
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Brad Roberts – Sr Dir, Source to Pay @ T-Mobile
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Jake Englund – Director of Merchandising @ Wild Mikes Ultimate Pizza (S.A. Piazza & Associates)
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Josh Billings – VP Sales & Marketing @ Alldrafts
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Ashley Wilson – AVP, Data Architect @ Physicians Insurance
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Read More Ashley Wilson – AVP, Data Architect @ Physicians Insurance
Holly Morgan – Executive Director @ OlyCAP
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Jason Mendenhall – CEO @ CTL
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Stephen Krauss – President, N. America @ Ooni
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Olympic Reflections #10: Rosangela’s Tattoo
Olympic Reflections and lessons learned for recruiting I was fortunate…
Olympic Reflections #9: Communications
by Ross Fletcher, DirectorHerd Freed Hartz – Executive Search Olympic…
Olympic Reflections #8: Bolt
by Ross Fletcher, DirectorHerd Freed Hartz – Executive Search Olympic…
Olympics Reflections #7: Transport
by Ross Fletcher, DirectorHerd Freed Hartz – Executive Search Olympic…
Olympic Reflections #6: Meeting Matthew
Olympic Reflections and lessons learned for recruiting
I was fortunate to work at seven Olympic Games (and a few Youth Olympics) during my time in broadcasting. For the duration of Paris 2024 I’m sharing a reflection a day.
One of the best bits about creating content at the Olympics was the opportunity to tell stories that you never set out to.
Olympic Reflections #5: Fun
by Ross Fletcher, DirectorHerd Freed Hartz – Executive Search Olympic…
Olympic Reflections #4: Resilience
by Ross Fletcher, DirectorHerd Freed Hartz – Executive Search Olympic…
Olympic Reflections #3: Across Sectors
by Ross Fletcher, DirectorHerd Freed Hartz – Executive Search Olympic…
Olympic Reflections #2: Interviewing
by Ross Fletcher, DirectorHerd Freed Hartz – Executive Search Olympic…
Olympic Reflections #1: The People
by Ross Fletcher, DirectorHerd Freed Hartz – Executive Search Olympic…
Jeff Keene – CIO @ Harbor Foods
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Jon Gisvold – Director of Fraud Operations @ OnPoint Credit Union
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Read More Jon Gisvold – Director of Fraud Operations @ OnPoint Credit Union
Ultimate Job Search Guide: Recruiter Insider Tips
As a retained executive search firm, we get hired for…
Summer Burt – Chief Marketing Officer @ Redwood Outdoors
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Read More Summer Burt – Chief Marketing Officer @ Redwood Outdoors
Telling Your Story & Helping You Win
Storytelling is one of the most important tools we have to help find your next top talent. Crafting a compelling narrative of your company and its specific needs is a no-brainer in attracting the right caliber of person to help you move forward.
Why I joined Herd Freed Hartz
by Ross Fletcher ‘Why don’t you meet my buddy who’s…
Stephanie Choi – VP of Retail Customer Experience @ Uwajimaya
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Read More Stephanie Choi – VP of Retail Customer Experience @ Uwajimaya
BZ Ellis – Chief Revenue Officer @ LightScalpel
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Gather Your Courage and Get Wisdom
A job change can be humbling. You will likely feel…
Heidi Daniel – Executive Director @ King County Library System (KCLS)
In 2023, our executive search team was honored to partner…
Read More Heidi Daniel – Executive Director @ King County Library System (KCLS)
Building Your Executive Band: Harmonizing Different Eras of Talent
By Scott Rabinowitz, Partner @ Herd Freed Hartz – Executive…
Read More Building Your Executive Band: Harmonizing Different Eras of Talent
Brian Thomas – President & COO @ Patriot Erectors
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
William Marks – CEO @ Alaska Power & Telephone
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Rachael Moss – Chief People Officer @ Inventprise
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…
Corey Scott – CEO @ Midwest Dairy
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to…




































































































