Founder
Founder
Rick George is a company founder and Managing Partner of Kensington International. He is the practice leader for Private Equity, recruiting C-Suite and senior executives to key leadership positions for lower-mid to mid-market platform companies nationwide.
Prior to founding Kensington International, Rick was a Principal and Managing Partner of a significant mortgage brokerage and banking firm. Before entering the mortgage business, he worked progressively through higher marketing and sales management positions with Federal Signal and Honeywell, Inc.
Rick is active in various civic and community organizations with a particular interest in cancer and ALS. He is the Board Chair for the Wellness House Foundation (Cancer Support – Hinsdale), Board member of SWLMCD (environmental) in Culver, IN, member of the Chicago ALS chapter, and a past Commissioner for the Fire and Police Departments in Clarendon Hills, IL. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Management from Purdue University.
Founder, Of Counsel
Founder, Of Counsel
Brian Clarke is a company founder and today serves in an Of Counsel capacity to Kensington International. During the course of his career, Brian led the firm’s Energy/Infrastructure and Supply Chain practices, conducted numerous C-Suite and leadership search assignments across the diversified industrial, energy and infrastructure sectors for PE-backed, private and a select group of large cap and publicly held companies. Brian’s work experience prior to executive search included progressively responsible roles with The Quaker Oats Company and First Chicago/JP Morgan.
Brian’s education background includes a Master of Management degree from Northwestern University’s J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management and a Bachelor of Science degree in Personnel and Labor Relations from Indiana University.
Brian currently sits on The Distinguished Alumni Council School of the O’Neil School – Indiana University and the Board of Trustees for The Chicago Theological Seminary.
During his time with Kensington International Brian was named to BusinessWeek.com’s list of The World’s Most Influential Headhunters.
Partner
Partner
Tim Bealert is a Partner and co-leads the Private Equity practice of Kensington International which spans across core industries including manufacturing and distribution, healthcare, financial services, business services, retail and consumer product goods. His expertise includes a wide range of disciplines including general management, corporate strategy, sales and marketing, operations and finance. Tim handles assignments at the C-level in addition to other key senior leadership positions.
Tim has completed hundreds of searches for private equity firms since 2005. Prior to joining Kensington, Tim was a Founding Partner of Laramie Group, a middle management search firm that is a division of Kensington. Before that he worked at a top five global executive search firm.
Tim holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Loyola University – Chicago. Tim and his wife live in the Chicago suburbs with their three children.
Partner, Healthcare & Life Sciences
Partner, Healthcare & Life Sciences
MJ Schermer is a Partner and leader of the Healthcare Services and Life Sciences practice with Kensington International. Her executive search expertise includes partnering with Private Equity to lead engagements at the C- level in addition to other key members of the leadership team. She has significant functional expertise in recruiting Operations, Finance, Corporate Strategy, Commercial, Marketing, Information Technology, Human Resources, and General Management talent.
MJ has been in executive search for 20 years. Prior to joining Kensington International, she was a key member of Cook Associates in both Chicago and Denver – where she managed a regional office and for Korn Ferry International.
She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Accounting from Purdue University. MJ and her husband live in the Chicago suburbs with their three children. In addition, she is a volunteer Junior Achievement educator dedicated to teaching youth about workforce readiness.
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Partner
Partner
Steve Goering is a Partner and leader within Kensington’s Private Equity and Venture Capital practice groups. With over 20 years of executive search experience, Steve leads C-suite engagements for PE & VC backed portfolio companies within a diversified industry group that includes Advanced Technology, Distribution, Financial Services, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Professional Services, and Supply Chain.
Prior to joining Kensington International, Steve started his career as a Research Associate at a global retained executive search firm where he became Director of Strategic Accounts and executed multiple C-Suite and Board of Director assignments across multiple industry segments. In 2008, Steve was a Co-Founder of The Laramie Group – a wholly owned subsidiary of Kensington International – which has since been folded into Kensington.
Steve is a graduate of Miami University (Ohio), where he received his bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communication and Effectiveness. Steve resides in Glencoe, IL with his wife and two children.
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Partner
Partner
Andy Wolkstein is a Partner and co-lead of the Energy and Engineering & Construction practice at Kensington. He also works extensively in the Diversified Industrial Sector. His clients consist of multi-generational family businesses as well as public, private and PE owned companies.
With over 15 years of search industry experience, Andy’s career path enables him to provide high-level consulting services to his clients when filling key positions across the functional spectrum. Simultaneously, he remains a valuable hands-on part of the project execution team to help expertly address any challenges that may arise during senior leadership through Board level searches.
Andy and his family reside in River Forest, IL. His family enjoys many activities together, particularly downhill skiing and hockey. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Colorado and a Master’s degree in Secondary Education from New York University.
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Executive Vice President
Executive Vice President
Paul Schneider brings over 25 years of human resources professional experience in a variety of industries, from the plant level to corporate headquarters. Paul plays a critical role for the firm as a trusted advisor to countless human resource leaders and as an Executive Vice President plays a critical role in the firm’s sales and marketing efforts.
Prior to joining Kensington, Paul was a Partner at Strategic Talent Solutions; President and CEO of Grant Alexander, an executive search firm based in Chicago; he was also the founder of Scherer Schneider Paulick LLC (SSP), one of the leading career transition and coaching firms in the Midwest. Prior to his involvement in the talent management solutions businesses, Paul worked for industry leaders such as Reynolds Metals Company, International Harvester, USG Corporation and Griffith Laboratories and was formerly the Vice President of Human Resources for Griffith Laboratories and held the senior level human resources position for U.S. Gypsum Company.
Paul holds a Master of International Relations in Human Resources from Loyola University of Chicago – Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Benedictine College.
Vice President
Vice President
Matt Kerr is a Vice President and leads the execution of key searches within the C suite as well as other key management areas. He brings extensive experience in executive search, research, talent acquisition, and human resources management.
Before joining Kensington, Matt was the North American Practice lead, Executive Search for BPI Group | Grant Alexander. He led the HR function for a design | build engineering and construction firm and spent 15 years at Motorola in several positions, including senior-level human resources management roles. Additionally, Matt served as a coach with several career management firms.
Matt holds a Master’s degree in Human Resources Management from Keller Graduate School of Management and a Bachelor’s in Business from Loyola University of Chicago. He also achieved SPHR designation through the Human Resources Certification Institute.
Matt spent 12 years as a Board of Education official for his local community. He currently serves on the board as well as the Human Resources Committee for Holy Family Ministries, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization focused on empowering children in Chicago’s underserved neighborhoods to move beyond the barriers of their community.
Managing Director
Managing Director
Jim O’Malley is a Managing Director and a seasoned executive with over 30 years of experience. He is an expert recruiter, providing top talent for leading private equity, healthcare, professional, and financial services firms. His search work includes C-suite executives and Board of Directors. Jim has served Private Equity and their portfolio clients across all industries in addition to his background with Management Consulting firms, Architecture, Engineering, Accounting, Tax and Law firms in addition to IT, Healthcare, Operations and Supply Chain consultancies. He also helps large Commercial, Consumer and Private Banks with their hiring needs.
Before joining Kensington, Jim was the Managing Director & Executive Search Practice Leader for another firm. In addition to business development and serving clients his mandate was to grow an executive search business, hire and develop a team of industry experts. Previously Jim co-founded Comhar Partners. Jim was also a Partner with TalentRise and held senior leadership roles with Fifth Third Bancorp, Huron Consulting, Andersen, Deloitte and Edward Don & Company.
Jim holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management from DePaul University. Jim serves as vice chair on the board of directors for HFS Chicago Scholars, a non-profit providing economic disadvantage youth access to a private high school experience. He is also an active member of the Executive Club of Chicago and Society of Human Resources Professionals.
Principal
Principal
Elizabeth Fish joined Kensington International in 2021, and as a Principal of the firm, Elizabeth is responsible for the execution of Kensington’s executive searches across industries. Elizabeth has successfully executed searches from Director through C-level and has been recognized for her ability to provide both an excellent candidate and client experience simultaneously. Prior to joining Kensington International, Elizabeth spent seven years as a Senior Search Associate at a retained Executive Search firm in the Chicago area. Earlier in her career she spent time in the pulp and paper industry and at a non-profit in Human Resources and Purchasing positions.
Elizabeth graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science and received her Master of Arts in Industrial Relations from University of Minnesota.
Elizabeth resides in Deerfield, IL and loves spending time with her family. She enjoys CrossFit and is a huge sports fan.
Principal
Principal
Walker Stadler is a Principal of Kensington International and responsible for executing executive searches across all industries. Prior to joining the team at Kensington, Walker spent his career at the intersection of business development, strategy, and consulting with a focus on finance, healthcare, and software. He has experience building strategic relationships and delivering turnkey assets that deliver measurable results. As a highly energetic, analytical, and results-driven professional, he brings a deep understanding of complex solutions.
Walker earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sports Marketing from Indiana University. He was a former collegiate baseball player at Indiana University where he played in the 2013 College World Series.
Walker resides in Chicago, IL and enjoys summers on the lake, working out, and quality time with family and friends.
Principal
Principal
Dan Stinson is a Principal of Kensington International and responsible for executing executive searches across all industries. Prior to joining the team at Kensington, Dan spent his career at Crossover Search, a leading life sciences executive search firm and Lucas Group, where he led searches within their manufacturing division.
Dan has strong experience partnering with clients on tough to fill positions where he has led the full cycle of recruiting across a diverse set of clients and functional roles. Early in his career, Dan worked in banking and leading branches for Enterprise-Rent-a-Car.
Dan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana University where he was active with the “Singing Hoosiers” and Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity.
Principal
Principal
Andrew (Andy) Moses is a Principal of Kensington International and is responsible for execution of searches across all industries. Prior to joining the team at Kensington, Andrew spent over 12 years within industrial/manufacturing, medical device, and life sciences sectors with companies such as Korn Ferry, IDEX Corporation, Callan Associates, and CT Partners. Andrew has experience recruiting at the C-Suite, VP, and Director levels serving private equity backed, venture capital funded, and publicly traded companies.
Andrew uses a measured and strategic approach when building long-term candidate and client relationships. Andrew is a pragmatic and results-oriented executive search professional who has developed a keen eye for uncovering and attracting niche talent that delivers transformational solutions for his clients.
Andrew earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He served 12 years in the US Army, one of those years was spent overseas in the Middle East (in Kuwait and Jordan).
Andrew was born and raised in Wisconsin, but now resides in downtown Chicago and enjoys golfing, pick-up basketball, yoga, snowboarding, hiking, and quality time with his dog Bailey, family, and friends.
Vice President, Finance
Director of Search Operations
Director of Search Operations
Sheri Lyons is the Director of Search Operations with Kensington International. Sheri is responsible for the day to day operations of Kensington’s executive searches including candidate and client correspondence, scheduling candidate interviews, expenses, candidate background checks and various other executive search administrative tasks. Sheri also performs many of the daily operations of the Elmhurst office including information technology, marketing/website management and key office management duties.
Prior to joining Kensington International, Sheri spent nine years with a retained executive search firm in the Oak Brook area as an Executive Search Recruitment Coordinator/Administrative Assistant working with Education, Life Sciences, and Healthcare practices.
Sheri graduated from Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, IL and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. Sheri and her husband live in the western suburbs of Chicago, IL with their two children.
