New Board Chair Named for National Association of Executive Recruiters - President of Tampa-Based Executive Recruiting Firm Chosen
The National Association of Executive Recruiters (NAER) has named Kaarla McKenzie, President of Tampa-based Source Executive Search|Consulting, Inc. (www. sourceexecutive. com), as the new chair of its global board of directors. She will replace Deborah Hall-Kayler of Hall & Associates, Ltd., in what will be a one-year term.
Tampa, FL (Vocus) June 19, 2009
The National Association of Executive Recruiters (NAER) has named Kaarla McKenzie, President of Tampa-based Source Executive Search|Consulting, Inc. (www. sourceexecutive. com), as the new chair of its global board of directors. She will replace Deborah Hall-Kayler of Hall & Associates, Ltd., in what will be a one-year term.
The 24 year-old NAER is a professional association of niche recruiting firms with members in the United States and Europe. The NAER’s goal is to attract highly qualified and experienced search professionals and to maintain programs, services and outreach that will enhance members' professional stature and their ability to provide quality services to their clients.
"I look forward to working with the other members of the NAER board on growing our membership and supporting our members in their professional growth as recruiters and small business owners,” McKenzie says. As chair of the NAER, McKenzie will also develop and execute learning opportunities and will plan the organization’s annual conference in Chicago, Illinois for 2010.
McKenzie accepted the chair position at the association’s well attended 2009 conference in Chicago last month. “I am honored to be chosen by my peers as Chair, especially at this critical time,” McKenzie says. “The executive search industry is definitely feeling the impact of current economic conditions. In times like these, it’s even more essential to uphold the highest of ethical standards and to provide member firms with educational opportunities, best practices and professional support.”
McKenzie began her recruiting career in 1994, initially geared toward communications and information technology industries, and later within the advertising and marketing arena. She joined niche advertising and marketing recruiting firm PLA, Inc. in early 1999 and ultimately assumed responsibility for the direction and daily operations of the firm in 2001. In 2004, McKenzie rebranded the professional search practice from PLA, Inc. to Source Executive Search|Consulting. The firm’s focus is identifying, sourcing and recruiting exceptional talent in advertising, marketing, media, sales promotion and public relations for brand leaders and their agencies.
According to past chair Deborah Hall-Kayler, “Kaarla brings passion and a collaborative approach, which will really allow NAER to offer greater value to its current members, as well as to prospective members. We are all thrilled to have Kaarla as the Chair of NAER.” Joining her on the board are Vice-Chair Michael L. Garnes of St. Augustine-based Next Level Executive Search, which specializes in the Sports Industry, and Treasurer/Secretary Seamus McGardle of Dublin, Ireland-based SRI Executive Search, which focuses on global placements for Life Science, Energy and Non-Profit organizations.
In addition to naming McKenzie as board chair at the 2009 conference, the NAER accepted Shooting Search, Inc. as its newest member firm. Shooting Search, Inc., founded by long time executive recruiter Bob Zahra and under the management of Martin Zahra, is a retained key employee search firm for the shooting, hunting, knife, law enforcement/tactical and outdoor industry. Shooting Search, Inc. is located in Sanford, Florida. For more information, visit www. shootingsearch. com.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF EXECUTIVE RECRUITERS: Founded in 1985 by a group of leading executive search professionals, the National Association of Executive Recruiters (NAER) represents a membership dedicated to the highest level of ethical standards and practices in senior-management recruiting. Its goal is to continually enhance quality and methods through education, interaction, and professional competence. For more information, call 847-885-1453 or visit www. NAER. org.
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