Business Details
24 Years
experience
Trusted Executive Search Services Nationwide
Founded in 2002, Howard & O'Brien has established itself as a boutique executive search firm with national reach, combining global resources with personalized service. Our team brings over five decades of combined experience across diverse industries, functions, and business structures, including consumer products, healthcare, finance, and education. We specialize in placing C-suite executives, board members, and senior leaders through our proprietary FIT3 methodology, which emphasizes strategic formulation, candidate investigation, and seamless transition support.With a 99% completion rate and 97% retention rate after one year, we prioritize long-term fit over transactional placements. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion ensures clients receive diverse candidate slates tailored to their organizational culture. As active members of professional organizations and recipients of awards like the Athena Award and YWCA Women of Achievement, we blend expertise with community leadership to deliver lasting executive partnerships.
Services
Executive Search
Board of Directors Search
DirectorConnector Service
Leadership Workshops
Compensation Research
Details
- Year established: 2002
Highlights and features
- We guarantee a 99% search completion rate and 97% executive retention after one year.
- Our team has over five decades of combined experience in executive search placements.
- We use a proprietary FIT3 methodology for strategic leadership and board member alignment.
- We specialize in niche talent markets and complex organizational cultures.
- We maintain a 85% repeat client rate through personalized, transparent service.
What people say
Perfect fit
Thorough interview process
Real deal team
Lasting placements
Only client feeling
Services
Executive Search
Our executive search service identifies C-suite leaders through a customized process emphasizing cultural alignment and strategic fit. We combine global research resources with personalized attention to match executives with organizational needs. With a 99% completion rate, our proprietary FIT3 methodology ensures long-term placements that exceed client expectations.
Board of Directors Search
We specialize in board member placements using our FIT3 approach to find directors who align with company values and governance needs. Our team includes board members themselves, providing unique insights into effective governance. Clients benefit from our extensive networks and 20+ years of experience placing directors across North America.
DirectorConnector Service
This reverse-placement service helps executives develop board-ready profiles and connect with suitable opportunities. We provide resume optimization, skills assessment, and strategic guidance to position candidates for board roles. The program targets high-potential leaders seeking corporate governance experience.
Leadership Workshops
We offer customized workshops for board development and succession planning, including our Conversations With the Board program. These sessions provide insights into governance best practices and prepare executives for board service. Our training emphasizes diversity and inclusion in leadership development.
Compensation Research
Our compensation insights combine 30+ years of executive search expertise with national and local market data. We help clients structure competitive offers using analysis of base pay, variable compensation, and industry benchmarks to attract top-tier executive talent.
People
Lee Ann Howard
Founder & CEO
Lee Ann Howard founded Howard & O'Brien after senior HR roles at Nestl and DuPont Merck. With Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist honors and multiple community service awards, she specializes in C-suite and board placements across industries.
John Scheatzle
Partner, Industrial & Specialty Materials
John Scheatzle brings global business leadership experience from companies like DMC Global and Materion to executive search. A University of Akron and Case Western Reserve graduate, he focuses on industrial sector placements and serves on multiple professional boards.
Howard C. O'Brien
Associate
Howard C. O'Brien supports executive search assignments while serving as an Ohio Army National Guard Captain. A Furman University graduate, he leverages military and nonprofit experience to connect clients with mission-driven leaders through the Hiring Our Heroes program.
Questions
What industries does Howard & O'Brien specialize in?
We serve diverse sectors including healthcare, finance, consumer products, education, and private equity.
What is the FIT3 methodology?
Our proprietary process combines strategic formulation, candidate investigation, and transition support for lasting leadership fit.
Do you work with both public and private companies?
Yes, we place executives and board members in publicly traded corporations, private firms, nonprofits, and academic institutions.
How do you ensure candidate quality?
We use exhaustive assessments, reference checks, and our Best Fit Questionnaire to validate candidate alignment.
What geographic areas do you cover?
While based in Cleveland, we provide executive search services nationwide with local market expertise.
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