Craig Chrest
Executive Partner

 Craig is the principal at The Executive Headhunter Group, which consists of 2 Programs – an exclusive and extensive, one-on-one program for senior executives to develop personal Introductions and job interviews and retained executive recruiting. Unlike executive search firms that wait for companies to announce a job opening, Craig doesn’t wait but knocks on companies’ doors with his client’s resume in hand. This solution selling approach to a job search builds a quality pipeline of network connections, potential opportunities that are real jobs, and ensures a proper introduction to the hiring authority. Most high level people don’t have the time and aren’t necessarily experts at marketing themselves outside their company. Their political reality can make it close to impossible. However, they do know how to surround themselves with exceptional talent to get the job done. That’s why many have Craig in their inner circle to help them find the position that best suites their career goals. Craig and his people have placed 333+ senior executives through the Executive Talent Program. These placements produce his secondary revenue stream: retained executive search work, which allows him to continue to build his network and services over many industries throughout the country. Craig has 25+ years of corporate experience with positions ranging from individual contributor to SVP of Sales and Marketing. He is trained in a number of the world’s most respected selling process, holds a BS in Mass Communications from the University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse, and a short course MBA sponsored by University of Dallas. Sample list of companies were Craig placed executives from his Executive Talent Program: Seagate, Hologic, Johnson and Johnson, HP (Formerly Compaq), HEB Foods, Kraft, MasterCard, Whirlpool, Gores Technologies (VC), Home Depot, Eaton corp., Dresser Rand, Cameron, Bearpoint and many others range from 5MM- &750MM. His typical career coaching client is a senior executive whose total benefit package exceeds $400K

Wesley Strauss
Associate Partner
Head of Interview Attainment

Mr. Strauss brings 20 plus years of experience in the Executive Recruitment industry. His career started off in the Automotive Industry with MRI where he was the top producer in billing after 3 short months. After dedicating himself to understanding what successful executives have in common he quickly transitioned that knowledge into a system he now calls “the interview”. “If you have a candidate that qualifies the recruiter must get the interview” indicating that executive will close the deal.Mr. Strauss saw an opportunity to be a part of the private equity space and his abilities where quickly translated into interviews and placements. Now for the past 12 years Mr. Strauss has been a part of 3 large private equity groups and over 411 independent firms across the country providing quality C-Level Talent. Mr. Strauss manages a team of 8 professionals which oversees the hiring for 70 portfolio companies across 5 countries. Mr. Strauss currently sits on 3 boards in three different industries, home health care, textile manufacturing and distribution and Technology. Mr. Strauss received his Bachelor’s degree from University of Georgia.

Norm Uhlir
General Operations Manager

 Following Mr. Uhlir’s graduation from Case Western Reserve University as an MBA he began his career under the tutelage of the “Whiz Kids” with the Ford Motor Company in 1959. Following completion of an extensive training program he rose through the chain of management responsibility. Subsequently, he was recruited by TRW, Inc. to participate in the company’s global expansion. He traveled throughout Europe, South America and the Far East in search of complimentary businesses that would aid in the expansion of the company throughout the world. Tiring of the extended travel and recognizing the responsibility of raising a young family he accepted the invitation of Bearing Point (formerly KPMG & Peat Marwick Mitchell) to join the firm as a manager in the management consulting area. As a result of forming a client relationship with the Huffy Corporation, he was persuaded to join the company as the company’s Chief Financial Officer. During his tenure with Huffy he became very active in the Financial Executives Institute attaining the position of President. From this exposure with the FEI he was recruited to Sundstrand Corporation, in the year 1975 to the position of Aerospace Chief Financial Officer. In 1980 he left Sundstrand to participate on a team charged with the responsibility to turnaround The Parker Pen Company. Success was attained and he returned to Sundstrand Corporation in 1985 to head the start-up of a new division of the company in San Diego, California. The excitement of turning a company around however returned in 1989 when he was asked to assist in the turnaround of The Van Dresser Corporation. Some would say that this effort was successful even though he lead the company through a Chapter 7 bankruptcy through to the sale of the company. Concluding this effort in1992 he chose retirement and relocated to Nashville, Tennessee with his wife, Fran. After one year of so-called retirement and after fighting off successfully the evil of cancer he decided to pay back the business world for the benefits he had received throughout his career and entered the field of consultancy. He began his new consultancy career with The George S. May International Company and subsequently spent time with the firms of Smith-Laurin Group, International Profit Associates and Managed Profit America, Inc

Carl Maxie
Executive Recruiter

 Carl began his career with Glen Due and Associates developing the leadership skills needed for public relations and marketing. After five years with Glen he enlisted for a distinguished 20 year career with the United States Army. He led a construction company, agriculture business and served as a leader and executive consultant in the healthcare industry. He has over sixteen years of recruiting and human resources management experience to include recruiting for medical, sales/marketing, IT, Operations, Biotech and Legal industry sectors. His desire to help others develop their talent led him to seek a position with The Executive Headhunter Group, where he believes that the exclusive quality of their talent program sets a very high professional standard for others to emulate. He attended Liberty University where he majored in Business Managment-Finance and Accounting.

Frank Perkins Jr.
Associate Partner/ Account Management

 Frank brings to The Executive Headhunter Group a high level of hands-on managerial experience in addition to the MBA he earned in earlier life. He is a graduate of Prairie View A & M University, a highly acclaimed university in the Houston area. He has used his education to advance himself in the business circles of Finance, Investment, Real Estate and General Commerce. In general commerce he functioned in excellent fashion in Sales/Marketing and Project Management and in fact lead the startup/launch of two companies that have experienced great success over the last five years of operation. Frank knows what it takes to be successful and works with clientele assigned to ensure they are seeing the light and striving toward greater opportunity. Frank is that talented, cool, laid-back type of guy that knows the answer BEFORE the question is asked. He has compassion for all clientele assigned to his tutelage and drives himself to attain their desires. He deals in a “no-nonsense”, honest manner and is the Star amongst Stars in his work habit and ambitions. Work with him and you are assured of success.

Sean E. Scott
Business Development/ Executive Recruiter

 Walking off the campus of the University of Houston many years ago, Sean embarked on a very successful career in sales and business development, primarily within the profession of legal documentation. Soon tiring of the legal profession regiment he was prompted to enter the executive recruitment profession with a prominent executive recruitment firm that specialized in the placement of clients closely oriented to the legal profession. His success in the sourcing and placement of high-level legal professionals was unparalleled. Drawing on his knowledge and experience in sales, business development and executive recruitment he applied his enthusiasm to a fledgling transportation/logistics company; taking the company to heights unbeknownst before. Subsequent to implementing best practices and controls and resurrecting the company to a saleable commodity; he sold the company to a major transportation company in the area. He now applies his knowledge and experience as an Account Executive with The Executive Headhunter Group, an award winning, reputable and growing Executive Search firm. Operating as such, Sean supports and practices the morale, ethical and aggressive “vision” of the Firm. Solid performance is his passion – his passion is to assist clients attain a better life and a strong, upward career path in the shortest period of time.

Joe Flores
Business Development/ Executive Recruiter

 Joe L. Flores received a Master of Arts Degree in History and a Bachelor of Arts in Special Education from the University of Houston. He proudly served his country in the United State Army and taught public school for three years. Joe began his recruiting career at The Liberty Group in 1997. As a Director of Recruiting with Liberty, he successfully completed numerous national senior level assignments in a broad range of fields including: Accounting/Financing, Construction, Development, Information Technology, Human Resources, Management Operations, and Sales. He is a Certified Personnel Consultant (CPC) and most recently joined The Executive Headhunter Group as a Business Development Manager to help promote the company’s long standing history of coaching, promoting, and placing Senior Level Executives in some the most prestigious Fortune 500 companies.

Akshay Raj
Job Research Lead / Account Management

 After completing his M.B.A From India in Marketing and Human Resources, Akshay worked with a pharmaceutical company in India as a Regional Manager. After relocating to US, Akshay joined Executive Headhunter Group as an Account Executive. As an Account Executive, he puts in his best effort to give clients the best services and on-time leads which convert into life changing opportunities. Giving his thorough approach to Executive Headhunter Group’s vision, he strives for excellence and superior quality in his deliverables. A dedicated and highly motivated professional with successful experience in sales, marketing, administrative support and personnel management; he is diligent, persistent, and committed to excellence in all activities with the ability to consistently create a positive working environment and enthusiasm for projects.

Robin Hayes
Executive Recruiter

 Robin joined The Executive Headhunter Group a few years back as an Assistant Marketing Representative. Through a dedicated work effort and determination to learn and succeed she has been elevated to the position of Account Manager. As an Account Manager she works closely with the Account Executive(s) to research for client opportunities and once found follows through with making contact, and sometimes friends of Hiring Authorities throughout the world. Robin’s college education and personality drives her continuously toward success for her and the clientele she serves. She is a leader in outside endeavors and is able to balance the responsibilities that come from these outside interests while maintaining a focused effort for the Firm’s and clientele interest. She is versatile, tenuous, aggressive and determined to assist in getting all clientele to reach for the stars. No job is too big, or too small for Robin, she’ll get it done accurately, in good order and on-time.

Michael McLaughlin
Associate Partner/ Executive Recruiting

 Michael brings to the Executive Headhunter Group a high level of recruiting and human resources experience from Fortune 500 companies. He is graduate of Texas Tech University and has used his education to aid in the development of recruiting with several different companies. Most recently, with Carmax, a Fortune 500 company, Michael was the Human Resources Manager responsible for all managerial recruiting and helped his company gain and then retain top level talents. Michael joined Executive Headhunter Group because he sees the vision and the ability of what the firm has to offer to top C-Level Executives. Michael has a very persistent personality and will do whatever it takes to get you placed!

Susan Merna
Executive Recruiter

 Experienced recruiting professional. More than 20 years in the staffing industry. Tenacious in securing customer loyalty and forging strong relationships with external business partners. I have specialized in Information Technology and Engineering for the last 10 years. The candidates I work with are intensively screened to ensure their experience and needs are appropriate for the job and culture of my clients. To every search, I bring unrivaled recruitment resources, techniques and a personal commitment to excellence

Leo Thomas
Executive Recruiter

 Mr. Leo Thomas comes to the Executive Headhunter Group having extensive experience in negotiations, procurement, inventory control, sales and marketing. His current degree is focused on Business Administration and Management where his work experiences are credited towards his advancement in the field. He has also been an associate/partner, recruiting in the multifamily and commercial real estate arena, with a discipline in high-rise, mid-rise, and lofts. In addition, his entrepreneurial aspirations led him to open three restaurants before retiring from the food industry. During his 20+ years with Baker Hughes Oil Services Company in Houston, he initiated and implemented substantial cost savings while functioning as team leader for several teams that successfully accomplished multi-million dollar cost savings contracts for Baker Hughes Companies both here and abroad. As a member of The Executive Headhunter Group and by utilizing proven sourcing and marketing strategies, he is able to dedicate himself to assisting the highest quality professionals with reaching their goals while assisting other quality professionals throughout their current corporate growth as they continue to progress in the corporate structure we currently face. He believes in a team’s collaborative effort and focusing on each individual’s core strengths. His thought process is that of nothing ventured, nothing gained, and he has the perseverance and commitment to bring it through to fruition. Here at the Executive Headhunter Group “We Are the Executive Placement People,” and Mr. Leo Thomas is an asset to our team able to carry out our mission. In summation, Mr. Thomas has affirmed, “While at the Executive Headhunter Group, I intend to utilize, maintain and disseminate a robust management philosophy with optimal operating results and satisfaction. As a team, I would like us to move foreword towards the greater achievements of the future.”