“Your imagination is your preview of life’s coming attractions.”  —Albert Einstein

From time to time we interview a client or former client about his or her career transition and their experience with Kelleher Associates.

Being a successful HR executive in both Fortune 1000 and non-profits, Nancy sought a position with an organization whose mission aligns with hers.  In her new role of Director of Human Resources at JFCS, she has achieved that goal.

Can you describe your prior career background?

For 12 years I worked as a Human Resources Leader for Penn Mutual Life Insurance Co. As the Vice President of Human Resources, I led a team of HR generalists responsible for organizational and leadership development, performance management, talent acquisition, employee relations, and compensation, as well as partnered with leaders to move the culture of Penn Mutual to a new level. Prior to that, I worked for the Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, where I re-designed the Human Resources department from a specialist model to an HR business partner model to better support clinical and business areas.

Why and how did you begin to work with Kelleher Associates?

I was familiar with Kelleher Associates because, as an HR professional, I was the person who retained outplacement service companies on behalf of my employer.  When the HR department I worked in was severely downsized – and my entire team eliminated – Ed Kelleher and his team at Kelleher Associates were there for me.

Mike Romano has worked as a general manager as well as a vice president of finance and administration for a global medical publishing company. He recently joined a local tax and accounting firm as an equity partner with the right to purchase the firm over the next few years.

How did you learn about Kelleher Associates?

I was introduced to Mitch Wienick, President and CEO of Kelleher Associates, by my father.  They had originally connected at a networking event.

Why did you choose Kelleher Associates for your Career Transition services?

I first met Mitch about two years before leaving my prior position.  We began to build a networking relationship, and Mitch counseled me through some scenario planning.  When I was laid off from that position, I decided to work with Mitch and his team.

What Kelleher services proved to be especially valuable during your search?

I found the most significant value in my one-on-one coaching and professional development sessions with Mitch.  He helped me through every aspect of the search process – from updating my resume and teaching me the importance of networking – to coaching me through interview preparation and follow-up. From start to finish, Mitch served as an indispensable guide.

You recently took an unconventional career step and purchased an ownership interest in a local tax and accounting firm as a partner with the right to purchase the entire firm over the next few years. How did Kelleher Associates help you in the process of evaluating this opportunity versus a more conventional corporate role, finding professional service providers to help you structure the deal, help you negotiate with the seller, and support you during this process?

Rich Neil is a successful operations executive who was seeking a leadership role in an organization that requires excellence in customer care, vendor management, and process control and efficiency.  As a result of networking and innovative thinking, Rich landed his ideal position as Director, Operations Support at Field Diagnostics Systems, Inc.

Can you describe your prior career background?

While I have spent the majority of my career in the telecommunications industry, I have held diverse positions in manufacturing, software engineering, quality and customer support.  Throughout the years, I have become a versatile operating executive adept at reducing cost, increasing profit and managing risk.  

Fred Rackovan landed an “ideal” opportunity….company culture, location, role.  We spoke with him shortly after he joined Valley Forge Financial Group as COO.

How did you find your new position, and what brought the opportunity all together for you?

I found my new position through social media – specifically LinkedIn.  While I had utilized LinkedIn in the past, the counselors at Kelleher Associates were the first to educate me about its job search functionality.  This is important, as many of the open positions posted on the site are not advertised anywhere else.

What was provided by Kelleher Associates that added value to you in your search?

First and foremost, I’d say the counselors at Kelleher Associates got me to focus on my new “job” – which was finding a job.  All the service and counsel they provided continually reinforced that primary mission.  Secondly, the Kelleher Associates office gave me a place to go to work.  While this may sound insignificant, it most definitely was not.  I found my job search to be most productive when physically present at the main office – interacting with counselors, making use of reference guides and talking with other clients.  Finally, it was very reassuring knowing that Ed Kelleher, my counselor, was available to talk with me anytime, about any career matter that crossed my mind. 

Mike had recently been VP of HR, Client Services for QVC, responsible for a team of 140+ at 9 US sites.  He has accepted the position of SVP, HR, North America for Henkel, a global consumer products company with global headquarters in Germany.

Name three things provided by Kelleher Associates that added value to you in your search.

Over the years, I have developed a very good network with search firms and HR professionals in the Philadelphia region. However, Kelleher Associates was able to expand my network even further, including connecting me with high-level executives such as CEOs and COOs. I had the opportunity to meet corporate leaders who knew the region, as well as a variety of industries, and these meetings helped open my mind to new possibilities and career options.

Secondly, everyone at Kelleher Associates was very accommodating and gracious about assisting me in any way possible. I would stop into the office at least once a week, and the firm would often let me use an empty office to make calls and get some work done, at the same time, giving me the opportunity to change it up a bit from my home office and maintain my focus. 

Bob Kempf had been Business Manager for the Kutztown University Foundation since 1995, responsible for all business operations and financial reporting.  He networked into a similar role at Turning Point in the Lehigh Valley. 

Name three things provided by Kelleher Associates that added value to you in your search.

First and foremost, Kelleher Associates gave me the opportunity to network at monthly, company-sponsored ExecuNet meetings.  These were a great asset because they gave me the opportunity to talk with other professionals who were also in transition. From the very first day, Kelleher Associates’ counselors emphasized that I would likely find my next job though networking – and they were right.

Second, Kelleher Associates gave me psychological support.  It’s never easy to sever a working relationship, and employers rarely handle the process well.  But my counselor, Ellen Mallin, helped me work through this difficult time, reassuring me that I was not alone in my experience.  She reminded me that I needed to put my lay-off completely behind me in order to move forward to my next career opportunity.

Marie Read is a food retail marketing professional with 15 years of category management and product development experience, as well as a strong background in retail sales development.  She recently accepted a position as Key Account Executive at Bimbo Bakeries USA.

What did you find most daunting about your job search?

The most daunting aspect of my job search was trying to keep a positive outlook while continuing to hear of more and more people in the food industry losing their jobs.  I had originally thought the food industry would be more isolated from the downturn, so keeping my spirits and optimism up while tuning out the negativity of those around me became a primary focus.

A true business partnership

Brad Golden has worked as a consumer products marketer and as an information and data services consultant in senior positions. He recently accepted a position as the CEO of a private equity-sponsored market research services company.

How did you learn about Kelleher Associates?

Kelleher Associates came highly recommended to me by multiple people whose opinions I trust, including some close colleagues and an employment lawyer.  Their recommendation of the firm was very positive, emphasizing its highly personalized and strong counseling, career transition and search process knowledge.

Personalized process smoothes career transition.

An experienced finance and accounting management executive like Brian Earnshaw tackles challenges with a clear focus on process. So when his career position evaporated, he naturally needed support that would measure up to his own detailed standards. He found it at Kelleher Associates, where a five month executive search resulted in a new position as Corporate Controller at Philadelphia-based Leaf Financial Corporation.