Business Details
24 Years
experience
Trusted Executive Search Firm in Cleveland, OH
Founded in 2002, Howard & O'Brien combines the global resources of a large executive search firm with the personalized service of a boutique agency. 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 a customized FIT3 process that prioritizes cultural alignment and long-term success. With a 99% completion rate and 97% retention rate after one year, we deliver results through direct partner involvement and a commitment to transparency. Our expertise extends to niche talent markets, and we maintain a strong focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion to shape workforces that drive operational excellence.As a proud member of the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC), we adhere to the highest professional standards. Our leadership team includes industry-recognized professionals with decades of experience in executive search, board development, and organizational culture assessment. We serve publicly traded corporations, private equity firms, nonprofits, and academic institutions, offering services such as traditional board placements, DirectorConnector reverse-placement, and customized training programs. Our proven track record with repeat clients (85% of searches) demonstrates our ability to build lasting partnerships. We protect our clients' employment brands by treating candidates with respect throughout the process, ensuring seamless transitions and long-term satisfaction.
Services
Executive Search
Board Services
DirectorConnector
Leadership Training
Cultural Assessment
Details
- Year established: 2002
Highlights and features
- We offer 23 years of executive search experience across 6+ industries.
- Our 99% search completion rate exceeds industry standards.
- We implement a patented FIT3 process for lasting executive placements.
- Our team includes board-certified search consultants with Fortune 500 backgrounds.
- We provide DEI-focused candidate slates aligned with modern workforce needs.
Associations and certifications
- Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC)
What people say
Perfect fit placements
Exceptional follow-through
Industry expertise
High retention rates
Personalized approach
Services
Executive Search
Our executive search service identifies C-suite leaders through a proprietary FIT3 methodology. We combine global research capabilities with personalized candidate assessment to ensure cultural alignment and long-term retention. With 23 years of experience across 6+ industries, we deliver 99% search completion rates and 97% one-year retention for senior roles.
Board Services
Board of directors search services leverage our team's collective board experience to find strategic matches. We offer traditional placements, DirectorConnector reverse-placement, and customized training programs. Our 85% repeat client rate demonstrates success in building governance teams that align with organizational culture and strategic objectives.
DirectorConnector
This reverse-placement service develops executives for outside board positions through targeted resume development and skills assessment. We connect qualified candidates with opportunities matching their expertise, offering 1:1 coaching and access to exclusive board networks to enhance placement success for leadership development tracks.
Leadership Training
Customized training programs focus on board readiness, succession planning, and leadership assessment. Our workshops, including the Conversations With the Board series, prepare executives for governance roles through interactive sessions with current board members and industry leaders across public and private sectors.
Cultural Assessment
Our FIT3 process includes deep organizational culture immersion to identify leadership matches. Through personality assessments and cultural mapping, we ensure candidates align with company values, resulting in 97% one-year retention for placed executives and board members across diverse industries.
People
Lee Ann Howard
Founder & CEO
Founder of Howard & O'Brien with 25+ years in executive search and HR leadership. Former senior HR executive at Nestl and DuPont Merck. Recognized with Athena Award and Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist honors. Active in American Heart Association and Case Western Reserve University boards.
John Scheatzle
Partner & Practice Leader
Industrial sector specialist with global business leadership experience. Former President at Arcadia Custom and NobelClad. Harvard Business School graduate with expertise in performance materials and building products industries. Active in University of Akron advisory boards.
Howard C. O'Brien
Associate
Military veteran with leadership experience in Ohio Army National Guard. Specializes in candidate recruitment and business development. Real estate investor and licensed agent. Graduate of Furman University with military science background. Active in American Heart Association volunteer initiatives.
Questions
What executive search services do you offer?
We specialize in C-suite placements, board of directors searches, and leadership development programs using our proprietary FIT3 methodology for lasting matches.
How does your FIT3 process work?
Our FIT3 approach combines organizational culture assessment, candidate personality evaluation, and strategic alignment analysis to ensure 97% one-year executive retention.
Do you serve specific industries?
We work across consumer products, healthcare, finance, education, manufacturing, and private equity sectors with 23 years of cross-industry expertise.
What board services are available?
Our board services include traditional placements, DirectorConnector reverse-placement, and customized training programs like Conversations With the Board workshops.
How do you ensure diversity in placements?
We provide diverse candidate slates aligned with AESC Diversity Pledge standards, focusing on inclusive leadership development and underrepresented talent pipelines.
What are your success rates?
We maintain a 99% search completion rate and 97% retention rate for placed executives, with 85% of searches coming from repeat clients.
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